undergraduate prospectus - music conservatoire undergraduate... · undergraduate prospectus...

UNDERGRADUATEPROSPECTUS

rncm.ac.uk/studyhere

2018 Entry

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The Royal Northern College of Music is a leading international conservatoire located in the heart of Manchester,

with a reputation for attracting talented musicians from all over the world. The RNCM is in its fifth decade,

but with a rich history spanning back to 1893 when Sir Charles Hallé founded the Royal Manchester College

of Music. In 1973 the institution merged with the Northern School of Music, and the RNCM was born.

Today, the College is a thriving conservatoire with around 330 teaching staff and 880 students

from almost 60 different countries. Each year, RNCM leavers go on to forge successful careers

all over the world, forming a global network of more than 6,000 alumni.

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CONTENTS

5 WELCOME TO THE RNCM RNCM Headlines 6

10 Great Things About Studying at the RNCM 8

Meet the Principal: Q&A with Professor Linda Merrick 10

Exceptional Graduates 12

Living in Manchester 14

Sir Charles Groves Hall of Residence 16

International Students 18

World-Class Facilities and Learning Resources 20

Student Support 25

Students’ Union 26

The Undergraduate Experience 28

Your Professional Development 30

32 PERFORMANCE Performance at the RNCM 34

The Platform 38

Chamber Music 40

Historical Performance 42

Jazz 46

48 RNCM SCHOOLS School of Composition 50

School of Keyboard Studies 58

School of Strings 66

School of Vocal Studies and Opera 78

School of Wind, Brass and Percussion 88

102 WHICH PROGRAMME IS RIGHT FOR ME? Bachelor of Music with Honours 104

Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music 108

Graduate Diploma of the RNCM 114

118 NEXT STEPS

THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC IS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATOIRE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MANCHESTER, WITH A REPUTATION FOR ATTRACTING TALENTED MUSICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

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FOR OVER 40 YEARSEST LISHED

Graduates in employment or further study

six months after graduating (Destination of Leavers Survey 2015)

• TH

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NO.1 MUSIC COLLEGE FO

R RESEARCH •

(REF 2014)

400 education projects and performance opportunities each year through The Platform

Global network of 6,000 alumni

Undergraduates

Postgraduates

Students

Experiencedand talentedteaching sta�

Established for over 40 yearsStudents from 60 di�erent countriesThe UK's no 1 music college for research (REF 2014)400 education projects and performance opportunities for students each year through The Platform450 concerts each year100% of 2015 graduates in employment or further study 6 months after graduating (Destination of Leavers Survey 2015)Global network of 6000 RNCM alumni 330 teaching sta�880 students645 undergraduates / 235 postgraduate students

PASSPORT

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WELCOME TO THE RNCM

6 RNCM HEADLINES

8 10 GREAT THINGS ABOUT STUDYING AT THE RNCM

10 MEET THE PRINCIPAL: Q&A WITH PROFESSOR LINDA MERRICK

12 EXCEPTIONAL GRADUATES

14 LIVING IN MANCHESTER

16 SIR CHARLES GROVES HALL OF RESIDENCE

18 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

20 WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES AND LEARNING RESOURCES

25 STUDENT SUPPORT

26 STUDENTS’ UNION

28 THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE

30 YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Patron Her Majesty the Queen

President Sir John Tomlinson CBE

Principal Professor Linda Merrick GRSM (Hons), MMus, PhD, FRNCM,

ARAM, LRAM, FLCM, FRSA, FHEA, HonVCM

Deputy Principal Dr John Gallacher FCA

Vice Principal (Academic) Dr Martin Harlow BA, MPhil, PhD, Dip.NCOS, FRNCM, ARCM

Director of Performance Manus Carey BA, MMus, LGSM

Director of Research Professor Barbara Kelly MA (Hons), MM, PhD

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RNCM HEADLINES

SIR JOHN TOMLINSON JOINS AS PRESIDENT:INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED BASS SIR JOHN TOMLINSON JOINS

THE RNCM AS PRESIDENT. ‘I AM PRIVILEGED TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE RNCM FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM AND AS SUCH IT IS AN HONOUR FOR

ME TO CONTINUE MY ASSOCIATION WITH THIS GREAT INSTITUTION.’SIR JOHN TOMLINSON, CBE

THE WORLD-CLASS RNCM:RNCM ACKNOWLEDGED AS WORLD-CLASS BY THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL

FOR ENGLAND. THE ONLY MUSIC CONSERVATOIRE OUTSIDE LONDON TO RECEIVE ENHANCED INSTITUTION-SPECIFIC FUNDING , THE RNCM CONTINUES TO DEVELOP ITS GLOBAL

REPUTATION, THE SUCCESS 0F ITS CURRENT STUDENTS AND ESTEEMED ALUMNI.

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rncm.ac.uk/news

AND THE WINNER IS:RNCM: WINNER OF THE TIMES HIGHER AWARD 2016 FOR OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT STRATEGYRNCM: WINNER OF THE TIMES HIGHER AWARD 2015 FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN THE ARTSRNCM: WINNER OF THE MANCHESTER THEATRE AWARD FOR BEST OPERA 2015

STUDIO ONE REDEVELOPMENT:£1M INVESTMENT IN STUDIO FACILITIES FOR POPULAR MUSIC STUDENTS.WORK WAS COMPLETED ON STUDIO ONE IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST BOXY POD, INCORPORATING A FULLY-EQUIPPED RECORDING STUDIO.

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10 GREAT THINGS ABOUT STUDYING AT THE RNCM

NUMBER ONE AN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATOIRE

NUMBER TWO INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED TUTORS

NUMBER FOUR UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

NUMBER THREE WORLD-CLASS VENUES

NUMBER FIVE CROSS-SCHOOL COLLABORATION

‘The RNCM has such an international atmosphere –

we’re so lucky to be in an environment with teachers

and fellow students from across the world. Last year

I went on exchange to Austria and it was an incredible

experience to live and learn in a different culture.’

STEPHANIE YIM, BMUS (HONS) CLARINET

‘My Principal Study tutor, Yuri Torchinsky, is the leader

of the BBC Philharmonic. He is a brilliant musician

and an internationally recognised violinist. It’s such

a privilege to have him as a teacher and to receive

his professional guidance and mentoring.’

SAVVA ZVEREV, BMUS (HONS) VIOLIN

‘In my third year at the RNCM I completed a Professional

Experience Scheme with the BBC Philharmonic. Although

very daunting at first, playing with them for a year

has given me a greater insight into the industry,

and I feel more confident to enter the professional world.’

ANA VANDEPEER, BMUS (HONS) VIOLIN

‘It was fantastic to play in the Concert Hall! It has a

great atmosphere and superb acoustic, especially for

our atmospheric style band. It was a good opportunity

to play to a large audience, with a great overall vibe.’

FREDDIE EGGLETON, BMUS (HONS) POPULAR MUSIC VOCALS

‘I’m a classical guitarist, but I am heavily involved with

jazz, having formed a jazz quintet with musicians from

other schools and the pop course. I also play in an

11-piece Afrobeat/Ethiojazz ensemble, Agbeko, with

students and graduates from every school of study.’

JAMES GIRLING, BMUS (HONS) GUITAR 2016

NUMBER SEVEN LOW COST OF LIVING

NUMBER NINE PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

NUMBER SIX MANCHESTER

NUMBER EIGHT ACTIVE STUDENTS’ UNION

NUMBER TEN CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

‘I’m from London originally and I find that my money

goes much further here. I’m sharing a house with friends

just a short walk away from College – it’s great because

it was cheap to find, and I can save money on transport

and food too, because I can pop home for lunch!’

LOUISA TILL, BMUS (HONS) SOPRANO

‘The Professional Engagements Team is great, I’ve had

paid opportunities at private functions. It’s not only

valuable performance experience, but creates the

opportunity to make contacts outside of College, and has

the added bonus of providing some extra income too.’

CHLOE ROBERTS, BMUS (HONS) HARP

‘For me, Manchester’s got it all – great student

and music scenes, shopping, nightlife, arts and

culture – and it’s also easy to get around, affordable

and friendly! I feel very much at home here and

hope to stay here after I graduate.’

MACKENZIE PAGET, BMUS (HONS) PIANO

‘Freshers’ Week activities organised by the Students’

Union were so much fun, and gave me the opportunity

to meet loads of new people as soon as I arrived.

I’m now on the RNCM Students’ Union Committee

myself and really enjoy being part of the team.’

ISLA MACEWAN, BMUS (HONS) SOPRANO

‘At the RNCM I’m encouraged and motivated by my

tutors in ways that make me really want to put in 200%

effort to be the best I can be. What’s equally great,

if not better, is that my fellow students are just as

encouraging as my tutors – it’s a wonderful environment!’

LOUIS PERERA, BMUS (HONS) PIANO

Come and Visit Us!

Why not attend an Open Day, a performance,

or an advice audition? You will be able to meet our

staff and students and to experience the College’s

welcoming, professional and vibrant atmosphere

first-hand. We look forward to welcoming you

to the RNCM.

9Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/10greatthingsvideo

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Why did you decide to take up the clarinet?

I played the piano from the age of six and classical guitar

and recorder from the age of eight. Once I progressed

to secondary school – a large inner city comprehensive

school in Bristol with a small but thriving music

department – I was keen to take up a wind instrument.

I originally wanted to play the oboe, but the only

instrument available was a clarinet. I took it home over

the Christmas holidays, taught myself to play a bit, then

came back in January and started to have some lessons.

So, the reason I play the clarinet is that it was the only

instrument my school had in the cupboard at the time!

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

I think the advice I would have given to myself at that

age – and I would give to any student now – is to make

the most of all the opportunities available to you as a

student. Immerse yourself in music and the arts, go to

as many concerts as possible, attend masterclasses in

other disciplines, visit art galleries and museums, go to

the theatre. You don’t want to look back and think

‘if only I had taken advantage of what was on offer.’

Do you feel it’s important for students to be

involved in activities outside of music?

Yes, I think it’s absolutely vital, because if you’re

not engaging with other things, then you will bring

less to your work as an artist and as a musician. It

is really important for students to broaden their

horizons, get out and about, and ensure that they

have interests outside of music – they will be

better musicians as a result.

Why did you want to be Principal of the RNCM,

and what makes the place so special for you?

I wanted to make a difference to the experience

of everyone who comes through the doors of the

RNCM: our students, staff and our many visitors and

audience members. I also want to ensure that the

College is recognised externally as one of the world’s

leading conservatories and home to one of the most

exciting performance venues in the UK.

I think what makes the RNCM so special is its unique

atmosphere, which is friendly and supportive while

providing a real-world experience for our students. With

a number of busy public performance venues on-site, our

students are able to perform in front of live audiences

and to work with the many professional musicians who

visit us on a daily basis. Being in Manchester also makes

the RNCM a very special place. It has a proud musical

heritage and fantastic cultural assets. It is also a major

university city, with great facilities for students.

How do you balance the demands of being Principal

of the RNCM with a career as a professional player?

It’s very hard to balance the two, but in my role I

think it’s really important to remain a professional

practitioner who is engaged actively in the music

business. The Principal’s job is a very busy and

challenging one, involving a lot of evenings and

weekends, so it would be very easy to just put the

instrument down. But I don’t think I would be as

effective in the role if I did that. You never have as

much time to practise as when you are a student,

PROFESSOR LINDA MERRICK JOINED THE RNCM IN 2001 AS DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE STUDIES AND SENIOR TUTOR IN CLARINET, BEFORE BECOMING DEPUTY VICE-PRINCIPAL IN 2006, VICE-PRINCIPAL IN 2008, THEN PRINCIPAL IN 2013. LINDA HAS AN INTERNATIONAL PROFILE AS A CLARINET SOLOIST, RECORDING ARTIST AND CLINICIAN. WE CHAT TO LINDA TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER OWN MUSICAL JOURNEY AND HER ASPIRATIONS FOR THE COLLEGE.

MEET THE PRINCIPAL: Q&A WITH PROFESSOR LINDA MERRICK

so you have to practise in a very efficient way and find

strategies to do what you need to in a shorter amount

of time. As a woodwind player, regular practice is

the key, so the reality is a lot of early mornings!

How do you see the RNCM developing over the

next few years?

I see the RNCM going from strength to strength

as a contemporary, forward-looking conservatoire.

I think our new Strategic Plan clearly sets out our

vision for where we want to go and how we intend

to get there, including the role of the College in the

city, regionally, nationally and internationally. I see

the RNCM as being recognised widely as one of the

world’s leading conservatoires, but with a very unique

and distinctive mission in terms of preparing students

for tomorrow’s profession. I see it as a place where

students are treated as young professional musicians,

challenged and supported to fulfil their musical

potential, and given the space to develop their own

work and creativity. It is this that will enable them to

go on to forge successful careers and to shape the

music profession in the future.

Finally, what’s your favourite piece of music and

who’s your favourite composer?

Oh, that’s an impossible question for a musician to

answer! I’m interested in all kinds of music, provided

it’s good quality and performed to a high level. I’ve

specialised in contemporary music, so that has very

much been part of my life and career for a long

time, especially music by British composers. I am

fond of Schubert, who had an incredible melodic

gift, Stravinsky, Bartók and Shostakovich, as well

as Britten, Walton and Vaughan Williams – an

unsung hero as a symphonist! It would be unfair to

single out any of the many composers with whom I

have collaborated over the years, but it has been a

privilege to work with all of them.

rncm.ac.uk/meettheprincipal

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EXCEPTIONAL GRADUATES

YOUR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT THE RNCM IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU TO DEVELOP THE COMMUNICATION SKILLS, CONFIDENCE AND DRIVE NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN A COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE. WHEN YOU GRADUATE FROM THE RNCM, AN EXCITING RANGE OF CAREER CHOICES IS OPEN TO YOU, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE SUCCESS OF OUR ALUMNI.

Our leavers go on to establish careers not only as

active performers, conductors and composers across

all styles and genres, but also as inspiring teachers

and educators, researchers, broadcasters, animateurs,

arts managers, and community outreach leaders,

among many fruitful career paths.

Notable Alumni

Examples of our notable alumni who have

established successful and celebrated careers

on the international stage include:

Barry Banks tenor

Sally Beamish composer & violist

Tim Benjamin composer

Sir Harrison Birtwistle composer

David Childs euphonium

Alice Coote mezzo-soprano

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH, CBE composer

Peter Donohoe CBE pianist

Stephen Hough CBE pianist

Elgar Howarth conductor & trumpeter

Simon Keenlyside CBE baritone

Peter Manning violinist

Li-Wei Qin cellist

Christine Rice mezzo-soprano

Hannah Roberts cellist

Joan Rodgers CBE soprano

Amanda Roocroft soprano

Martin Roscoe pianist

Sir John Tomlinson CBE bass Brodsky Quartet Heath Quartet Sorrel Quartet

CHRISTINE RICE (MEZZO-SOPRANO, 1998)

THE RNCM WAS ABSOLUTELY PIVOTAL IN MY LIFE. I WAS ALLOCATED THE MOST BRILLIANT AND GIFTED SINGING TEACHER, WAS FURNISHED WITH MY FIRST EXPERIENCES SINGING LEAD OPERATIC ROLES, AND SUPPORTED DURING MY INITIAL FORAYS INTO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD. THREE CHEERS FOR THE RNCM!

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Many of our more recent graduates are gaining notable recognition and critical acclaim in their fields, including: Laura Bowler (composition, 2008) Commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Kreutzer Quintet and award-winning playwright Lavinia Murray. Founder of Size Zero Opera.

Alexandra Dariescu (piano, 2008) YCAT Artist 2008. Winner of the Women of the Future Award 2013, Arts and Culture category.

Gavin Higgins (tenor horn, 2005) Commissioned to write the opening work for the Last Night of the Proms 2014. Named by the New York Times as a ‘talent to watch’.

Philip Higham (cello, 2009) Principal Cello, Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Les Neish (tuba, 2005) First tuba player to be awarded the Worshipful Company of Dyers Award for Wind and Brass at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition.

Jamie Phillips (trumpet, 2013) Assistant Conductor (2012-15), Associate Conductor (2015-16), the Hallé.

Amy Roberts (saxophone, 2011) First woman to join the Big Chris Barber Band, the Aker Bilk Band and the Kenny Ball Band.

Helen Sherman (mezzo-soprano, 2010) YCAT Artist 2009. Represented Australia in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2011.

Emmanuel Vass (piano, 2011) Recording artist and performer whose CD Sonic Waves went straight to No 3 in the classical charts. Named Rising Star by BBC Music Magazine.

Duncan Ward (conducting, 2013) Recommended by Sir Simon Rattle as the first Conducting Scholar of the Berliner Philharmoniker Orchester-Akademie.

Huw Wiggin (saxophone, 2008) Gold Medal Winner, 2014 Royal Over-Seas League Competition. Commonwealth Musician of the Year 2014.

GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY 100% OF GRADUATES ARE IN EMPLOYMENT OR FURTHER EDUCATION SIX MONTHS AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE RNCM. (DESTINATION OF LEAVERS FROM HIGHER EDUCATION SURVEY 2014-15)

rncm.ac.uk/alumni

AS THE UK’S MOST POPULAR STUDENT CITY, AND A HUB FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS, MANCHESTER IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO PURSUE YOUR MUSICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

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LIVING IN MANCHESTER

Working in Partnership with the City’s

Professional Orchestras

Manchester is home to three professional orchestras:

the Hallé, based at the nearby Bridgewater Hall; the

BBC Philharmonic, based in MediaCity; and Manchester

Camerata, resident in the College itself. The RNCM enjoys

strong links with the professional orchestras in the region,

and through Professional Experience Schemes, RNCM

students can audition and gain invaluable professional

experience and mentoring with these orchestras.

A World-Famous Popular Music Scene

Manchester is renowned for its legendary popular

music scene. The city boasts a wealth of popular and

contemporary music venues where you can see both

established and up-and-coming acts, including our

Popular Music students. The city’s Northern Quarter

is a hub for live music, and the wider city plays host

to numerous music events.

Thriving Arts Scene

The RNCM itself is one of the country’s leading

performance venues, drawing audiences to a diverse

artistic programme. The wider city is home to an array of

arts venues, theatres, galleries and museums including

the Palace Theatre, Manchester Opera House, Royal

Exchange Theatre, Contact Theatre, Whitworth Art

Gallery, and HOME, the city’s new multidisciplinary arts

complex. Every two years, the city hosts the Manchester

International Festival, which attracts critically-acclaimed

artists and audiences from across the globe.

The UK’s Most Popular Student City

Manchester is the UK’s most popular student city, home

to a vibrant, international community of over 100,000

students. With its relatively low cost of living, plentiful

accommodation options and excellent transport links,

Manchester is a cost-effective and convenient base for

your studies. The RNCM is well-connected by public

transport to the rest of the city and beyond. You can

also get around easily on foot; the RNCM itself is just

a 20-minute walk from the city centre.

TIME OUT MAGAZINEIT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC ON MANCHESTER. THE LIST OF BANDS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS AND PRODUCERS WHO HAVE SPRUNG FROM THE CITY AND ITS LOCALE GO ON AND ON.

PETER MANNING (VIOLIN, 1980)CONCERTMASTER OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE THE DEEP CULTURAL ARTS EVOLUTION OF MANCHESTER OVER THE LAST 150 YEARS HAS SEEN MUSIC AND THE ARTS MIRROR THE GREAT ADVANCES OF THE CITY, AND THE RNCM SITS AT THE HEART OF BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS.

Above: The Bridgewater Hall

Right: St Ann’s Square

Main image: Manchester Town Hall

Bottom left: Northern Quarter

Bottom right: Beetham Tower

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rncm.ac.uk/livinghere

MANCHESTER WAS RANKED AS THE UK’S BEST CITY TO LIVE IN BY THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT GLOBAL LIVEABILITY SURVEYS, 2015 AND 2016.

RNCM STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE IN SIR CHARLES GROVES HALL OF RESIDENCE, LOCATED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE COLLEGE. THE CONVENIENT LOCATION OF THE HALL SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY, AS YOU CAN WALK TO COLLEGE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

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SIR CHARLES GROVES HALL OF RESIDENCE

Each room is housed within a flat of four with shared

fully-equipped lounge/kitchen facilities. You can opt

for self-catering, or for a weekday catering package,

which allows you to buy meals in the College. Owned

and managed by Liberty Living, the Hall offers:

• Newly refurbished bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

• All utility bills, personal contents insurance and

internet access included

• Communal areas including a student common

room with a widescreen TV and pool table, and

a courtyard garden

• Guest flats for visiting relatives and friends

for a night or short stay

• An on-site management and maintenance team

• 24-hour security, comprehensive CCTV coverage

and swipe card entry systems

RNCM students occupy the majority of the 612 rooms

in the Hall, providing the opportunity to be part of the

student community as soon as you move in. RNCM

students are allocated rooms that allow you to practise

between 9am and 9pm. Pianists can arrange to have

a loan piano in their room.

The welfare and support of RNCM student residents

is overseen by two senior residents and a member of

staff, so there is always someone available to provide

assistance when needed.

Further information, including room options and

rates, can be found on the Liberty Living website:

www.libertyliving.co.uk

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rncm.ac.uk/livinghere

MANCHESTER IS A GREAT STUDENT CITY WITH SO MUCH GOING ON. LIVING IN SIR CHARLES GROVES HALL OF RESIDENCE HAS BEEN REALLY CONVENIENT AS IT’S RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE COLLEGE, MAKING THE WALK WITH MY CELLO A LOT EASIER! THERE’S PLENTY OF SPACE IN THE ROOMS TO PRACTISE, AND BEING IN HALLS HAS BEEN GREAT FOR MEETING PEOPLE AND MAKING FRIENDS.

JACOB BARNSBMUS (HONS) CELLO

RHIAIN TAYLOR SENIOR RESIDENTWE’RE HERE TO HELP MAKE SURE YOU FEEL AT HOME IN HALLS, AND THAT THERE IS SOMEONE FOR YOU TO SPEAK TO IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS.

THE RNCM IS AN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATOIRE, AND WARMLY WELCOMES STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REPRESENTING ALMOST 60 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AND OUR TUTORS COME FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE, CREATING A DIVERSE AND TRULY INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT.

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Support Services and Welcome Activities

We have a great deal of experience in welcoming

international students. You will be well-supported

before you arrive in the UK through comprehensive

advice and guidance from our International Office.

When you arrive at the College, our priority is to

make you feel at home. You will take part in a range

of activities and social events during International

Induction Week, which will help you to meet new

people and to settle into life at the RNCM.

International Office

We have a dedicated International Office with staff

who provide general information, advice and visa and

immigration support. Our Students’ Union organises

social activities and events throughout the year, and

represents your views through an elected International

Student Representative.

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/internationalvideo

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English Language Support

If English is not your first language, we have an

English Language Support Tutor who can help you

throughout your studies at the College. There are

two types of support: Pre-Sessional English and

In-Sessional English support.

Pre-Sessional English Course

The Pre-Sessional English Course is offered to non-

native speakers of English whose levels fall marginally

below the required standard. This full-time course

runs every summer for seven weeks, July to August.

The intensive, tailor-made course provides students

with the opportunity to practise and improve their

language skills in the context of the subject areas

they will study at the RNCM. The main components

of the course are grammar and vocabulary; academic

reading and writing; listening and speaking; study

skills and an introduction to musicology. The course

also provides an introduction to the UK and British

culture, allowing students to become accustomed to

their new academic environment. More information

about the Pre-Sessional English Course will be sent

to applicants during March 2018.

In-Sessional English Support

One-to-one English language tutorials are available

for all non-native English speakers who need help with

their academic work. The tutorials are planned around

the needs of each student, their level of language

ability and the academic work they have to do. Weekly

English language lessons are also available. The classes

are organised according to the level of individual

students. The aim of the classes is to develop and

consolidate listening, speaking, reading and writing

skills through a variety of theme-based topics.

On-Site Hall of Residence

You have the option of living in Sir Charles Groves

Hall of Residence, just two minutes’ walk from the

College building, where many RNCM international

students choose to live. See pages 16 – 17 for more

information.

International Applications

We accept applications from international students

throughout the year. However, we would recommend

that you submit your application by 1 October 2017

for entry in September 2018. Overseas live auditions

are also held in selected locations each year. For

further information see How to Apply on page 120.

rncm.ac.uk/international

AS AN RNCM STUDENT, YOU WILL ENJOY USE OF THE COLLEGE’S EXCELLENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE VENUES AND A WEALTH OF LEARNING RESOURCES.

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WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES AND LEARNING RESOURCES

A major benefit of studying at the RNCM is that

you will rehearse and perform in state-of-the-art

venues. We recently invested more than £7 million

to redevelop the RNCM Concert Hall and backstage

areas, as well as £1 million to refurbish a studio space,

which houses the world’s largest BOXY pod.

The College’s main performance and rehearsal spaces are:

744-seat RNCM Concert Hall

A unique octagonal performance space with

advanced technical facilities and lighting, new

flooring and seating, a balcony and raised floor area

672-seat RNCM Theatre

One of the largest performance and recording spaces

in Manchester with a reconfigured backstage area,

providing a professional learning environment at

industry standard

117-seat Carole Nash Recital Room

A modern performance space with high-quality

acoustic properties and on-site recording studio

Seven large studio spaces

Including a newly-refurbished studio for use by

Popular Music students with a state-of-the-art

sound-proofing pod system, incorporating a

fully-equipped recording studio

RNCM Concert Hall

RNCM Concert Hall

21

rncm.ac.uk/facilities

22

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES AND LEARNING RESOURCES

You will have access to a wealth of resources to

help support your studies, including:

• Over 70 tutorial and individual practice rooms,

including three brand new soundproof individual

practice pods, and more than 120 pianos

• Asimut, a state-of-the-art online room booking system

• An IT Studio containing PCs with Sibelius software

• Composition labs with a suite of iMac machines

• RNCM Moodle, the College’s virtual learning

environment

• Wi-Fi hotspots inside the College

• A professional recording department offering

student recording services and AV equipment loan

• An award-winning library with a wide range of

materials and online resources

RNCM Library

The RNCM Library has a wide range of materials to

support learning, research and performance, and is a

key resource for all areas of your degree programme.

Our knowledgeable library staff have vast musical

expertise and will help you to make the best use of

the resources available:

• 90,000 catalogued items including books and

printed music and 96 current journal titles

• The College’s own archive of recordings, and a

significant collection of CDs and DVDs

• Online access to e-books, databases, selected

journals and audio-visual streaming services

• PCs with music software, listening stations

and a viewing area

• The RNCM Archives, which are of international

importance

• The RNCM Collection of Historic Musical

Instruments, which consists of over 300 instruments

dating from the 16th to the 20th century

RNCM Production of Jacques Offenbach’s

La Vie Parisienne (2016) in the RNCM Theatre

23

Forman Lecture Theatre Studio 6

rncm.ac.uk/facilities

STUDENT SUPPORT

24

STUDENT WELLBEING IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO US, AND A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES IS AVAILABLE TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

STUDENT SUPPORT

25

Support for Students with Disabilities

RNCM welcomes disabled students, including those

with specific learning difficulties. Ways in which we

can support you include:

• One-to-one academic and study skills tutorials

• Guidance on documenting your disability

• Provision of a suitable Personal Learning Plan

• Specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) screening

on request

• Advice on applying for Disabled Students’

Allowances (DSAs)

If you would like to discuss any of your needs,

please email our Student Wellbeing Advisor on

[email protected] or telephone 0161 907 5219.

Student Counselling Service

A free and confidential counselling service is provided

by our highly-experienced and BACP-qualified College

counsellors. They provide individual sessions and can

help with any personal issues that may be affecting you.

Chaplaincy

College chaplains are available for confidential

consultation on personal matters. There is also a

chaplain specifically for international students and for

speakers of Mandarin Chinese. The nearby St Peter’s

Church and Chaplaincy also organises a range of

activities and social events for students of all faiths.

For more details visit www.stpeters.org.uk

Alexander Technique

One-off or regular weekly Alexander Technique classes

are available for a small charge. Alexander Technique

is a tried-and-tested approach for improving personal

performance and avoiding undue effort or stress.

International Students

A dedicated International Office team provides

comprehensive support to students from outside of

the UK. Please see page 18 for further information.

Student wellbeing staff can also offer advice on

matters such as:

• How to arrange an appointment with a BAPAM

Consultant (British Association for Performing

Arts Medicine)

• How to apply for funding through the BAPAM/

Help Musicians Student Health Scheme

(conditions apply)

• Factsheets for musicians (BAPAM)

• General wellbeing

rncm.ac.uk/wellbeing

STUDENTS’ UNION

26

RNCM STUDENTS’ UNION

Top: an RNCM favourite,

Ceilidh dancing at its best!

Main image: Active students are

healthy students with

the RNCM Running Club

Bottom: Community is a big part

of student life at the RNCM

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/freshersvideo

27

Our Purpose

• To represent your views, concerns and aspirations

• To create exciting performance opportunities

• To organise fun social occasions including student-led

societies, cultural trips and day trips to the countryside

• To support and encourage each student throughout

their #RNCMlife

Our Societies

Student-led societies in 2016/17 currently include

• Sports: Running, Football, Netball, Winter Sports,

Cycling

• Cultural: Book Club, Photography, Contemporary

Music, Repertoire Orchestra

• Christian Union

rncm.ac.uk/studentsunion

HAYLEY PARKES STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT 2016/17 THE STUDENTS’ UNION EXISTS FOR STUDENTS, AND WE WANT TO HELP MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT COLLEGE THE BEST IT CAN BE! OUR TEAM HOPES TO WELCOME YOU AT THE RNCM SOON!

RNCM STUDENTS’ UNION

SU Team 2016/17, from left:

Millie Carden (Development Officer)

Theo Fowler (Welfare Officer)

Isla MacEwan (Community Officer)

Hayley Parkes (SU President)

David Maxted (Education Officer)

Adrianna Hebisz (Diversity Officer)

Kieran Lyster (Activities Officer)

28

THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE: HOW IT WORKS

RNCM Programmes: An Integrated Approach

Each undergraduate student follows a programme

of study:

• Bachelor of Music/BMus (Hons)

• GRNCM/MusB/‘Joint Course’

• BMus (Hons) Popular Music

Each programme has its own particular focus,

but all comprise a blend of Principal Study/

performance activities, lectures, seminars,

talks and work-related learning.

Please see pages 102 – 117 for more information on

RNCM programmes.

RNCM Schools

Each student belongs to an RNCM School, according

to your instrument/voice. Your one-to-one lessons

and practical/performance classes are organised

through your School.


RNCM Schools.

Performance Opportunities

There are numerous performance opportunities

available to undergraduate students from the

moment you join the RNCM, including:

• Opportunities built into your programme e.g.

masterclasses, performance classes, Lunchtime

Concerts and Spotlight Concerts

• Opportunities open to anyone with an interest e.g.

Chamber Music, Jazz or Historical Performance

• Opportunities available by audition e.g. concerto

performances, Platform projects, Professional

Experience Schemes, large ensembles specifically

for first years

You will be encouraged to get involved from the outset

to make the most of the opportunities available to you.


performance at the RNCM.

YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A WEALTH OF PERFORMANCE, LEARNING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS AS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. HERE IS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF HOW YOUR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES ARE ORGANISED:

VANESSA HANSON MORRIS BMUS (HONS) OBOE I SPENT A WEEK WITH THE ROYAL MARINES BAND SERVICE FOR MY WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT, WHICH INCLUDED PLAYING PRINCIPAL OBOE AND COR ANGLAIS WITH THE HMS COLLINGWOOD BAND. IT WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE AND GAVE ME INSIGHT INTO LIFE AS A ROYAL MARINES MUSICIAN, IMPROVED MY CONFIDENCE, DEVELOPED MY MUSICIANSHIP AND ENHANCED MY PROFESSIONAL CV.

29

Managing your Studies

Each student’s individual schedule will vary each

week according to the various timetabled classes,

lessons and rehearsals. You will be expected to

manage your time carefully to ensure attendance

at College activities alongside individual practice

and any external commitments you may have.

Support Services

There are teams of staff across the College to help

support your studies and you as an individual during

your time at the RNCM. Your Head/Deputy Head

of School, Principal Study Tutor, and Programme

Leaders/Tutors will provide you with feedback and

advice on your personal progress. There is also an

active Students’ Union which exists to represent and

support students during your time at the RNCM.

There are technical and support teams such as

backstage staff, Recording, Registry (including Student

Wellbeing, Student Finance and Counselling), the

International Office, Marketing and Communications,

and Development, with whom you will come into

contact during your time at the College. Staff in

these departments can support you in different

ways during your time with us.

rncm.ac.uk/undergraduate

30

YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Artist Development

As part of your undergraduate programme, you will

receive information, guidance and training in a range

of areas to help prepare you for entering the music

industry. This includes practical workshops covering:

writing CVs and programme notes; managing your

own online presence; conducting; recording and

editing. There will also be skills-based talks on

topics such as performance management, music

business, career management and development,

pedagogy training and techniques for enhancing self-

promotion. Students will develop leadership skills and

entrepreneurial understanding, establish professional

networks, and enhance their employability.

Real World Experience

RNCM students are given opportunities to gain

real-world experiences and take part in a wide range

of diverse projects, including work placements and

Professional Experience Schemes, and participation

in community and outreach projects.

Professional Experience Schemes

Through The Platform, the RNCM’s international

centre for ensemble and vocal training, you will be

able to audition for a place on one of the College’s

highly regarded Professional Experience Schemes with

leading orchestras and ensembles. Please see The

Platform information on page 38 for further details.

Work Experience Placements

Every BMus student will undertake at least one

placement during their studies. You apply and

interview for these placements as if you were

applying for a job in the music industry, enabling

you to develop your application and interview skills.

We offer a large range of placement opportunities

in areas such as arts community outreach, event

management, arts administration, instrumental/vocal

teaching, learning and participation programmes,

music and wellbeing, and recording.

Examples of organisations in which students have

recently undertaken placements include: Manchester

International Festival, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester

Camerata, Music and Dementia, The Bridgewater

Hall, Young Voices, One Education Music, RNCM

Young Strings, Foden’s Youth Band, National

Children’s Orchestra, and School of Sound Recording.

Undergraduate Popular Music students undertake

the RNCM Professional Engagement module, which

offers the chance to work as a professional freelance

musician as part of your degree studies. Placement

opportunities include: the BBC, Dulwich College

International, Music for Youth, Under the Covers

Events, Fidler Music and Northern Quarter Records.

YOUR EMPLOYABILITY IS A KEY FOCUS OF YOUR STUDIES AND TRAINING AT THE RNCM. THROUGHOUT YOUR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, YOU WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND HONE THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS VITAL FOR SUCCESS IN A COMPETITIVE MUSIC SECTOR.

31

RNCM Engage: Learning and Participation

As part of your undergraduate experience, you will have

opportunities to develop your skills in teaching, and

creative and professional practice. The RNCM’s Learning

and Participation team connects with communities

through an exciting programme of events. The team

has strong partnerships with schools, colleges and

community groups across the North West, and the

key aim is to make music accessible and relevant to

all those with whom they come into contact.

Examples of projects include:

RNCM Young Company

An open access musical theatre group for young

people aged 13-19, where members work towards

performances which are staged at the RNCM. RNCM

students play a key role in the group’s activities; this

is an ideal chance for students to develop workshop-

leading skills and help give the young participants

fantastic performance experiences.

RNCM Family Day

Our students get involved in a range of activities

including workshops, concerts and film screenings.

Children’s Opera Project

A team of RNCM students work with local primary

school children to stage a new musical production

in the RNCM Theatre.

Discover more at www.rncm.ac.uk/about/engage/

engage-for-students

Professional Engagements

The Professional Engagements Team coordinates over

350 external professional engagements each year for

students, providing over 1000 performance opportunities

with music clubs and societies, companies and event

organisers across the North West and further afield. This

service gives students the opportunity to perform publicly

throughout their degree, gaining invaluable experience

and often earning some additional income.

Partners and Mentors

Over the years, the RNCM has developed important

professional partnership links, which will provide you with

valuable access to career advice and guidance, as well as

crucial opportunities to network and foster contacts to

enhance your employability when you graduate. You will

have the opportunity to observe and engage with our

partners in the wider community including the region’s

music hubs, and organisations such as Brighter Sound, the

Seashell Trust, Music Unlimited, Artis and Live Music Now.

rncm.ac.uk/opportunities

PHILIP WILLIAMS BMUS (HONS) POPULAR MUSIC DRUMKIT IT’S EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL HAVING MUSIC INDUSTRY EXPERTS COME IN AND DELIVERLECTURES AND MASTERCLASSES. WE GAIN PRACTICAL AND RELEVANT ADVICE ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN TODAY’S MUSIC INDUSTRY, COVERING TOPICS SUCH AS SELF-PROMOTION, COPYRIGHT AND CAREER PATHS.

33

PERFORMANCE

34 PERFORMANCE AT THE RNCM

38 THE PLATFORM

40 CHAMBER MUSIC

42 HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

46 JAZZ

PAUL DRIVERTHE SUNDAY TIMESWITHOUT THE RNCM, MANCHESTER’S MUSICAL LIFE WOULD BE DRASTICALLY CURTAILED.

34

PERFORMANCE AT THE RNCM

The RNCM as a Performance Venue

The RNCM is the UK’s seventh busiest live music venue,

and each year over 450 performances are held in our world-

class facilities. The extensive and diverse artistic programme

provides students with numerous public performance

opportunities, while offering the chance to experience

live music-making of the highest quality on-site.


All RNCM students will have the opportunity

to participate in a broad range of performance

activities throughout the year.

PERFORMANCE SITS AT THE HEART OF THE RNCM EXPERIENCE; NO OTHER UK CONSERVATOIRE OFFERS SUCH A RANGE OF PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS STUDENTS.

THE PERFORMANCE MIX AT THE RNCM: BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY MUSIC HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE JAZZ NEW MUSIC OPERA POPULAR MUSIC

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/orchestralvideo

35

rncm.ac.uk/performance

36

PERFORMANCE AT THE RNCM

Orchestras and Ensembles

The College is proud of its range of student

orchestras, including:

• Symphony Orchestra • Chamber Orchestra

• Concert Orchestra • String Orchestra

• Brass Band • Wind Orchestra

• Big Band • Session Orchestra

• Brand New Orchestra

In addition there are Brass, Wind, Baroque, Jazz,

Harp, Guitar, Percussion and Saxophone ensembles,

as well the Composers’ Lab and New ensembles

which perform composers’ new works.

The RNCM Symphony Orchestra has been led by

high-profile visiting conductors, including: Sir Mark

Elder CBE, Krzysztof Penderecki, Mark Shanahan,

Vassily Sinaisky, Jac van Steen and Yan-Pascal Tortelier.

Eminent visiting composers include: Sir Harrison

Birtwistle, Judith Weir, Magnus Lindberg, Steve Reich

with the New Ensemble, and Robert Saxton.

Solo and Duo Public Performance

All RNCM students have the opportunity to present solo

or duo programmes to a public audience through our

Lunchtime Concerts. The Spotlight Series offers students

the chance to propose programmes that complement

the evening concert programme, and each year 90 such

projects are presented as free Spotlight events – this is in

addition to an internal series of performance platforms.

RNCM Festivals

The RNCM hosts an exciting series of annual

festivals and instrument days including: Festival of

Brass, Chamber Music Festival, Keyboard Weekend,

Percussion Day, Saxophone Day, Day of Song,

Strings Festival, and Wind and Brass Weekend.

RNCM students are an integral part of these events

as performers, audience members and participants in

masterclasses delivered by high-profile guest artists.

RNCM Opera

The RNCM is proud of its strong tradition

of success in the field of opera and its

award-winning productions. Both singers

and instrumentalists have many opportunities

to take part in our wide-ranging opera

programme. Each year, there are two fully-

staged student opera productions covering

varied repertoire, which in recent years have

included: Barber’s Vanessa, Britten’s Albert

Herring, Handel’s Xerxes, Monteverdi’s Il ritorno

d’Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses),

Shostakovich’s Moscow, Cheryomushki

(Paradise Moscow), Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore

(The Elixir of Love), Gluck’s L’ivrogne corrigé

(The Drunkard Cured) and Orfeo ed Euridice,

Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe, Sondheim’s Company,

Britten’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Kurt

Weill’s Street Scene, Mozart’s Così fan tutte,

Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne, and Handel’s

Theodora featuring postgraduate soprano

Samantha Clarke (pictured) in the title role.

37

rncm.ac.uk/performance

THE RNCM’S INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ENSEMBLE AND VOCAL TRAINING

38

The RNCM is proud to collaborate with:

• Academy of Ancient Music, Cambridge

• Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London

• BBC Philharmonic, Manchester

• Black Dyke Band, Bradford

• Chamber Orchestra of Europe

• Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen

• European Chamber Music Academy, Vienna

• Foden’s Band, Manchester

• Hallé, Manchester

• Hallé Choir, Manchester

• Manchester Camerata

• Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Berlin

• Netherlands Blazers (Wind) Ensemble,

Amsterdam

• Northern Ballet, Leeds

• Opera North, Leeds

• The Orchestra of Opera North, Leeds

• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

• Stuttgart Opera Studio

• Xi’an Symphony Orchestra, China

Examples of student projects undertaken

through The Platform include:

• Overseas tours with a number of ensembles

to Italy, the Netherlands, China and the USA

• Professional Experience Schemes at one of

our orchestral partners, which includes paid

placements and side-by-side work

• Participation in rehearsals taken by teams

of orchestral principals

• Seminars led by international tutors

who regularly visit the College, focusing on a

professionally-relevant topic such as orchestral and

audition techniques in different European countries

• Projects focusing on historical performance

ranging from chamber music to opera

• Unique large-scale events in unusual locations

around Manchester. The 2014 project at the Imperial

War Museum North – After the Silence: Music in the

Shadow of War – won the Excellence and Innovation

in the Arts title at the Times Higher Education

Awards 2015.

Working in partnership with leading orchestras, ensembles, brass bands, choirs, ballet and opera companies,

The Platform provides a diverse range of performance and learning opportunities for our students. The scale

of this scheme is unrivalled among British conservatoires; each year there are over 400 opportunities for our

students to participate in auditions, education projects and public performances at the RNCM and off-site,

in the UK and overseas.

These projects and experiences provide you with invaluable experience and insight into the work of our

partners and the music industry.

39

rncm.ac.uk/theplatform

THROUGH THE PLATFORM, I HAVE TAKEN PART IN FANTASTIC PROJECTS WHICH HAVE ENABLED ME TO EXPERIENCE LIFE IN A PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA WITH SOME OF THE BEST MUSICIANS IN EUROPE. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE NETHERLANDS WIND ENSEMBLE IN AMSTERDAM AND THE MAHLER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA IN DORTMUND, WHICH WERE SUCH REWARDING EXPERIENCES. OBVIOUSLY IT’S FANTASTIC MUSICALLY, BUT ALSO THE MUSICIANS THEMSELVES ARE LOVELY PEOPLE, AND YOU GET TO PLAY MUSIC THAT YOU WOULDN’T NECESSARILY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY. THE TWO PROJECTS COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF GENRE, AND I TOOK A LOT FROM BOTH, AS WELL AS LEARNING A LOT ABOUT MY OWN INTERESTS.

BETH DAVIESBMUS (HONS) BASSOON

THE RNCM IS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED DESTINATIONS FOR ASPIRING CHAMBER MUSICIANS IN EUROPE. RNCM-TRAINED PLAYERS APPEAR WITH ENSEMBLES SUCH AS THE ELIAS, HEATH AND NAVARRA STRING QUARTETS, GOULD PIANO TRIO, HAFFNER WIND ENSEMBLE, NASH ENSEMBLE, COLIN CURRIE GROUP AND CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF THE LINCOLN CENTER.

40

We are the only UK member of the highly prestigious

European Chamber Music Academy, which enables

our advanced chamber ensembles to participate in

classes at the highest level with tutors and ensembles

from other leading European institutions such as the

Paris Conservatoire and the University of Music and

Performing Arts, Vienna.

How You Will Learn

Chamber music is at the heart of every performing

musician’s education at the RNCM. Ensemble

activity is a core and compulsory part of your course

during your first two years of study. The department

will support you in forming your ensemble, after

which there are regular lessons and classes taught

throughout the year with both resident and visiting

tutors. After this you can choose to take clear

chamber music pathways as an integral part of your

undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

All chamber music studies are independent of your

Principal Study provision and are supported by a

dedicated team of chamber music specialists, including

former and current members of Chilingirian, Škampa

and Talich Quartets (strings), Gould and Sitkovetsky

Trios (piano), Ensemble 360, Metropolitan Brass

Ensemble and The King’s Singers.

Recent Masterclasses and Learning Opportunities

Regular performance classes take place alongside

individual ensemble coaching. Collaboration between

composers and ensembles is encouraged and tutored,

and there is a busy schedule of visiting world-class

artists. Recent masterclasses have been given by

Frans Helmerson, Hatto Beyerle, Ralph Kirshbaum,

Kathryn Stott, Hansjörg Schellenberger and the

Guarneri Piano Trio.

The annual Chamber Music Festival, directed by

Petr Prause, is the largest of its kind in Europe

and attracts a truly international following. Recent

festivals have featured the Borodin, Henschel and

Pavel Haas Quartets, the Guarneri Piano Trio, Jane

Manning and Rachael Podger, among many others.

CHAMBER MUSIC

CHAMBER MUSIC NEWS THE DEPARTMENT WAS DELIGHTED TO RECENTLY WELCOME VIOLINIST DONALD GRANT AND SAXOPHONIST ROB BUCKLAND AS DEPUTY HEADS OF CHAMBER MUSIC IN STRINGS AND WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION RESPECTIVELY.

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/chambervideo

41

rncm.ac.uk/chambermusic

Head of Chamber Music

Jeremy Young LRAM ARAM

Deputy Head of Chamber Music (Strings)

Donald Grant

Deputy Head of Chamber Music (Wind, Brass and

Percussion)

Rob Buckland

International Chair of Chamber Music

Frans Helmerson

Ensembles in Association

Elias Quartet

Sitkovetsky Piano Trio

Talich Quartet

Waverley Junior Fellows in Chamber Music

Solem Quartet

Tutors in Chamber Music

Tim Barber BMus (Hons) RNCM, PPRNCM,

PGDip (Perf)

Sara Bitlloch

Rob Buckland GRNCM, PPRNCM, FRNCM

Levon Chilingirian ARCM, FRCM, HonPhD

Leonard Elschenbroich

Emma Ferrand DipRAM, ARAM, LRAM, FRNCM

Pavel Fischer

Ben Frith BA, ARCM

Matthew Hunt

Laura Jellicoe GMusRNCM (Hons), PPRNCM

Melinda Maxwell BA, HonARAM, LTCL, ARCM

Professor John Miller MA, FGSM, FRNCM

Craig Ogden BA (Mus), PGDipRNCM, PPRNCM,

FRNCM

Petr Prause

Wu Qian

Simone Rebello GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Dr Tim Reynish

Simon Rowland-Jones ARCM

Thomas Schulze

Tutors in Historical Performance

Harvey Davies GRNCM

Roger Hamilton MA, MA, ARCM

Tutors in Jazz

Steve Berry FHEA

Mike Hall BSc, PGDipRNCM

JEREMY YOUNG HEAD OF CHAMBER MUSIC I’M PROUD TO BE PART OF ONE OF EUROPE’S BUSIEST AND MOST EXCITING CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAMMES AND FEEL PRIVILEGED WORKING WITH SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD AS THEY DISCOVER THE UNIQUE RICHNESS AND JOY THAT IS CHAMBER MUSIC.

ALL STUDENTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS ON HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS AND TO ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF EARLIER PERFORMING STYLES, REPERTOIRE AND TECHNIQUES. THIS COACHING AND TRAINING HELPS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A PROFESSION IN WHICH A KNOWLEDGE OF PERIOD PERFORMANCE PRACTICE IS INCREASINGLY REGARDED AS ESSENTIAL.

42

Orchestral and chamber music programming at

the RNCM includes significant amounts of earlier

repertoire, giving players of both modern and period

instruments the chance to develop their awareness

of performing in an informed way. Early opera is not

neglected either; recent opera productions have

included Monteverdi, Handel, Gluck and Mozart.

How You Will Learn

The Historical Performance Teaching Fellows

coordinate and coach student groups in a wide

variety of music, from Baroque cantatas and trio

sonatas through to chamber music of the 18th and

19th centuries. Cross-school groups are encouraged

to increase your experience of working with all

instrumental and vocal disciplines.

Repertoire is carefully chosen to match your specific

interests and level of experience. For keyboard

players, the skills associated with continuo playing,

figured and unfigured bass realisation, harmonisation

and sight reading are developed from the first year,

as these are crucial to understanding much of the

music-making of the 17th and 18th centuries. Singers

can undertake classes in historical performance

technique, style and repertoire.

Historic Instruments and Tuition

The College has an extensive and increasing collection

of instruments available for student loan, including:

a complete Baroque string orchestra; a full range of

keyboard instruments including harpsichord, chamber

organ and fortepiano; Baroque and Classical woodwind

and brass instruments. Our specialist tutors offer students

expert tuition on historical instruments. The College is

also home to the RNCM Collection of Historical Musical

Instruments, which comprises more than 300 instruments.

Recent Masterclasses and Learning Opportunities

The RNCM recently formed an exciting partnership

with the Academy of Ancient Music, through which

students have the opportunity to get involved in a

range of activities including performance, chamber

coaching and masterclasses. Students have also

benefited from masterclasses, concerts and tuition

from world-renowned artists such as Mahan Esfahani,

Emma Kirkby, Orlando Consort, Dufay Collective,

Joglaresa, I Fagiolini and Charivari Agréable.

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/historicalvideo

43

rncm.ac.uk/historicalperformance

Fellows in Historical Performance

Harvey Davies GRNCM


International Tutor in Fortepiano Studies

Stefano Fiuzzi

International Tutor in Harpsichord

Terence Charlston

Tutor in Baroque and Classical Violin

Dr Pauline Nobes MusM (Perf), PGDipRNCM,

MusB, GRNCM, PhD, ARCM

Tutor in Baroque Viola

Annette Isserlis

Tutor in Baroque Cello

Susan Sheppard ARAM

Tutor in Viola da Gamba

To be announced

Tutor in Theorbo

Paula Chateauneuf

Tutor in Baroque Flute

Dr Stephen Preston AGSM, PhD

Tutor in Baroque and Classical Oboe

Anthony Robson LRAM, ARCM

Tutor in Early Clarinet

Dr Lesley Schatzberger BA (Hons), ARCM, DUniv

Tutor in Baroque Bassoon

Peter Whelan

Tutor in Recorder

Chris Orton HonBC, AdvPGDip (Prof Perf), BMus

(Hons)

Tutor in Hand Horn

Rebecca Goldberg GMusRNCM, PPRNCM,

PGDipRNCM

Tutor in Natural Trumpet

David Hendry GRNCM, PGDipRCM

Tutor in Sackbutt and Classical Trombone

Susan Addison ARCM

Tutor in Harpsichord


ROGER HAMILTON TEACHING FELLOW IN HISTORICAL PERFORMANCEHISTORICAL PERFORMANCE ISN’T SEPARATED OUT AT THE RNCM – RATHER THE IDEA OF STYLISTIC AWARENESS RUNS THROUGH EVERYTHING WE DO, WHETHER USING PERIOD INSTRUMENTS OR NOT. SO, WHATEVER REPERTOIRE YOU WANT TO EXPLORE, AND WHATEVER YOUR CURRENT LEVEL, THERE WILL BE FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES, MANY OF THEM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU.

44

AT THE RNCM I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LESSONS WITH A BAROQUE CELLO TEACHER, AND HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO BORROW A BAROQUE CELLO.I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR ALL PERFORMERS TO HAVE A BACKGROUND OF HISTORICALLY-INFORMED PERFORMANCE. IT IS USEFUL TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF STYLISTIC CONVENTIONS, WHICH INFLUENCE ONE’S INTERPRETATION.

TALULAH YUNKERS BMUS (HONS) CELLO

45

rncm.ac.uk/historicalperformance

ALL STUDENTS AT THE RNCM ARE GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE AN INTEREST IN OR PASSION FOR JAZZ. THROUGHOUT YOUR TIME AT THE COLLEGE, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF JAZZ STYLES AND IMPROVISATION, AND TO PLAY IN LARGE AND SMALL JAZZ ENSEMBLES.

46

Specialist Jazz Tuition

As part of the BMus programme, students can opt

to undertake jazz electives within Academic Studies

and Artist Development activities. Through these

electives, you will develop a knowledge of core jazz

repertoire, understand how to approach improvising

on different styles of piece, and explore the practical

aspects of putting together a jazz performance.

This flexible approach enables you to explore jazz

throughout your studies at the RNCM, with options

to specialise in this field as your course progresses.

Masterclasses and Tuition from Respected Jazz

Performers and Teachers

Students undertaking options in jazz will receive tuition

from a team of visiting artists and musicians who are

prolific on the professional jazz scene. Visiting tutors

have recently included saxophonists Tim Garland,

Bob Mintzer and Chris Potter, and vibraphonist Victor

Mendoza. You may also have the opportunity to take

part in a series of masterclasses with high-profile artists,

who have recently included guitarist Mike Walker,

pianist Rob Van Bavel, and jazz vocalist Tina May.


Students have the opportunity to perform to public

audiences with the RNCM Jazz Collective and RNCM

Big Band. The RNCM Big Band performs five times a

year in the RNCM Theatre and regularly attracts large

audiences through its loyal following. The RNCM Big

Band has recently performed alongside renowned

jazz musicians including: pianists John Taylor, Gwilym

Simcock, Alex Wilson and Nikki Iles; guitarist Mike

Walker; drummer Clark Tracey; percussionist Dave

Hassell; keyboard player Colin Towns; trumpeter

Ryan Quigley; and singers Clare Teal and Matt Ford.

JAZZ

47

rncm.ac.uk/jazz

Alumni

A number of our alumni are enjoying success as

performing jazz musicians, including:

Beats & Pieces Big Band

Ensemble of the Year led by Ben Cottrell at UK

Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2014

GoGo Penguin

Shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize 2014

Sam Healey

Saxophonist with the Sam Healey Quartet

Claire James Trio

Recent performances include the Manchester Jazz

Festival and the BBC Proms Plus Series at the Royal

Albert Hall

Amy Roberts

Saxophonist; first woman to join the Chris Barber

Big Band

Alice Zawadzki

Singer and violinist; début album China Lane released

in 2014 to critical acclaim, and second album Lela

released in 2015.

Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Tutor in Jazz

Saxophone and Improvisation


International Chair in Jazz

Tim Garland

International Tutor in Jazz Trombone

Jiggs Whigham

Tutor in Percussion

David Hassell HonARAM

Tutor in Double Bass

Steve Berry

Tutor in Jazz Piano

Eileen Guppy MA, GCLCM, ARCM, LRAM, LGSM

Dan Whieldon BMus (Hons), MMus (Jazz), HonBc

Tutor in Jazz Trumpet

Steve Waterman GTCL, HonARAM

Tutor in Jazz Improvisation

Carl Raven BMus, PPRNCM

MIKE HALL COORDINATOR OF JAZZ STUDIESOVER THE YEARS WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF STUDENTS DISCOVER THAT JAZZ IS WHERE THEIR STRENGTHS LIE. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND WATCH THEM MOVE ON TO SUCCEED IN THE WORLD OF JAZZ AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC.

Watch the video: www.rncm.ac.uk/jazzvideo

49

RNCM SCHOOLS

50 SCHOOL OF COMPOSITION

58 SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES

66 SCHOOL OF STRINGS

78 SCHOOL OF VOCAL STUDIES AND OPERA

88 SCHOOL OF WIND BRASS AND PERCUSSION

PETER DONOHOEPIANO 1976THE COLLEGE WAS SO FORMATIVE, SUCH AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE AND MY HISTORY.

50

PROFESSOR ADAM GORB HEAD OF SCHOOLAS AN RNCM STUDENT COMPOSER, YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED BY THE SCHOOL OF COMPOSITION’S TEAM OF HIGHLY-EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL TUTORS TO UNLEASH YOUR FULL CREATIVE POTENTIAL AND TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN PERSONAL STYLE. WE FEEL IT IS CRITICAL FOR YOU TO LEARN YOUR CRAFT BY HEARING HOW YOUR COMPOSITIONS WORK IN PRACTICE, AND SO WE OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY PIECE OF MUSIC YOU WRITE TO BE PERFORMED AND RECORDED, INCLUDING ORCHESTRAL AND LARGE-SCALE ENSEMBLE WORKS.

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rncm.ac.uk/composition

SCHOOL BY NUMBERS

School of Composition

Administrator:

[email protected]

Admissions enquiries:

[email protected]

based on 2016 entry

52

RECENT SCHOOLHIGHLIGHTS

RAMBERT MUSIC FELLOW:ALUMNA ANNA APPLEBY (MMUS 2016) HAS BEEN

APPOINTED RAMBERT’S NEW MUSIC FELLOW FOR 2016/17. ANNA IS THE SIXTH RECIPIENT TO DATE, JOINING A LIST WHICH

ALSO INCLUDES ALUMNUS GAVIN HIGGINS.

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS:ALUMNUS TOM HARROLD (BMUS 2013, MMUS 2015)

OPENED THE 2016 LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS WITH THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF RAZE, A NEW BBC COMMISSION.

53


YOUNG COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE:SECOND YEAR UNDERGRADUATE MATTHEW EDEN HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AS BLACK DYKE BAND’S YOUNG COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE FOR 2017. OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS MATTHEW WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH PROFESSOR PETER GRAHAM AS HE WRITES SEVERAL COMPOSITIONS FOR THE BAND.

BRITISH COMPOSER AWARDS:THREE SCHOOL OF COMPOSITION ALUMNI WERE SHORTLISTED FOR A 2016 BRITISH COMPOSER AWARD: EMILY HOWARD (MMUS 2003), LUCY PANKHURST (MMUS 2006) AND SIR HARRISON BIRTWISTLE.

54

How You Will Learn

The BMus and GRNCM/MusB Composition courses

aim to train you in the techniques of composition

in contemporary classical music, enabling you to

develop your own personal style or idiom.

Throughout your programme, you will receive:

• Weekly individual tuition

• Classes in compositional techniques

• Electro-acoustic composition tuition

• Departmental seminars

• Masterclasses and seminars with visiting tutors

• Regular Composer ‘Labs’, where you will have the

opportunity to try and run through your works in

progress with RNCM contemporary music ensembles.

Other components to the main study area may cover

composition for the theatre; composing for brass and

wind ensemble; solo, chamber and orchestral music;

writing for voices and educational music.


You will regularly have your work performed by

RNCM student orchestras and ensembles in public

concerts (most of which are recorded), including:

• RNCM Brand New Orchestra featuring new

orchestral works by student composers, which

takes place three times a year

• New Ensemble and other groups dedicated to the

performance of new music

• RNCM Festivals throughout the year including

Composer Festival, New Music North West,

Chamber Music Festival and Day of Song

• Spotlight and Lunchtime concerts

Recent Masterclasses

In recent years, student composers have worked

with high-profile professional performers and

ensembles including:

• BBC Singers

• Manchester Camerata

• Exaudi Vocal Ensemble

• Juice Vocal Ensemble

• Brian Ferneyhough, composer

• HK Gruber, composer

• Mark Anthony Turnage, composer

• Clare Hammond, pianist

The RNCM’s regular Composer Festivals have attracted

celebrated composers including: Louis Andriessen,

Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Tansy Davies, Magnus

Lindberg, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Judith Weir,

all of whom have worked with Composition students.

SCHOOL OF COMPOSITION

FOR PROGRAMME INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO STUDENTS ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS,PLEASE SEE THE BACHELOR OF MUSIC AND GRNCM/MUSB PAGES (PAGES 102 – 117).

JINGYU CHENBMUS (HONS) COMPOSITIONTHE COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT IS VERY GOOD. IT’S LIKE A FAMILY – VERY SUPPORTIVE, BUT YOU ARE TAUGHT HOW TO BE A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. THE SOUND OF MY MUSIC IS QUITE DIFFERENT AND SPECIALIST – I USE CHINESE MATERIAL COMBINED WITH WESTERN ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS. I’VE BEEN COMPOSING A WIND QUINTET PIECE FOR THE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL AND AN ORCHESTRAL PIECE FOR BRAND NEW DAY. WE HAVE COMPOSER LABS TOO WHICH ARE QUITE FREE – YOU CAN WRITE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TRY. THEY’RE REALLY USEFUL AS YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR YOUR MUSIC PLAYED, SEE HOW THE SOUNDS COMBINE, THE OVERALL FEELING OF YOUR PIECE, AND GET FEEDBACK. RNCM STUDENTS PERFORM YOUR MATERIAL. THEY’RE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND IT’S AMAZING TO HEAR YOUR MUSIC COME TO LIFE!

55


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Alumni

Our alumni have established highly successful

international careers: as award-winning composers;

receiving commissions for festival, orchestral and

solo works; composing for opera, music theatre

and Hollywood films; and being chosen as Cultural

Olympiad composers. Examples of just some of the

School’s notable alumni include:

Sally Beamish Celebrated British composer with

works performed by leading artists, orchestras and

ensembles worldwide

Sir Harrison Birtwistle (Royal Manchester College

of Music) Leading figure in contemporary music

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (Royal Manchester

College of Music) Master of the Queen’s Music

and leading figure in contemporary music

Alison Cox Head of Composition at the Purcell School;

founder and co-director of The Commonwealth Resounds

Larry Goves RNCM Tutor in Composition

Simon Holt Composer in Association at the BBC

National Orchestra of Wales 2008 - 2014

Emily Howard Senior Lecturer in Composition

at the RNCM

Ailís Ní Ríain Contemporary classical composer

and writer for the stage

Benjamin Wallfisch Emmy, Ivor Novello and

multiple World Soundtrack Award-nominated

composer and conductor

Recent alumni gaining considerable success in the

new music world include: Anna Appleby, Michael

Betteridge, Laura Bowler, Steven Daverson, Tom

Harrold, Gavin Higgins, Daniel Kidane, Jae-Moon

Lee, Lucy Pankhurst, Matthew Sergeant, and

Duncan Ward.

Daniel Kidane and Ailis Ni Riain were the two sole

composers in 2016 to win the prestigious Paul Hamlyn

Award, the most coveted prize for composers in the

UK. Past winners include Emily Howard and Larry

Goves.

TOM HARROLDBMUS 2013, MMUS 2015 THE RNCM HAS UNDOUBTEDLY HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON MY CAREER: ITS FANTASTIC TEACHING, EXTRAORDINARY SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND FABULOUS OPPORTUNITIES ON OFFER ALL CAME TOGETHER TO GIVE ME WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE ONE OF THE BEST MUSIC COLLEGE EXPERIENCES.

57

rncm.ac.uk/compositionSCHOOL OF COMPOSITION STAFFHead of School

Professor Adam Gorb MA, MMus, ARAM,

FRNCM, PhD

Tutors in Composition

Dr Laura Bowler BMus, MMus, PhD

Professor Gary Carpenter FRNCM,

HonRAM, FRSA, LRAM, ARCM

Professor Adam Gorb MA, MMus, ARAM,

FRNCM, PhD

Dr Larry Goves BMus, MPhil, PhD

Dr David Horne BMus, PhD

Dr Emily Howard MA, MMus, PhD

Paul Patterson FRAM, FRSA, FRNCM

Visiting Tutors in Composition

Simon Bainbridge FRCM, Hon RAM

Tim Garland

Andy Scott

Mark Simpson

Tutor in Electro-Acoustic Composition

Dr Thomas Scott GRNCM, MusB,

MusM, PhD

58

GRAHAM SCOTT HEAD OF SCHOOLTHE SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. PLAYING IN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RECITALS, PERFORMANCE CLASSES, COMPETITIONS AND OUR PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL WILL INSPIRE YOU AND GIVE YOU INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE. OUR INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF TALENTED AND COMMITTED TUTORS WILL CHALLENGE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENSURE THAT YOU REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL, GIVING YOU KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN IN TODAY’S WORLD.

Principal Study in

PIANO HARPSICHORD

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SCHOOL OFKEYBOARD STUDIES

rncm.ac.uk/keyboardstudies

SCHOOL BY NUMBERS

School of Keyboard Studies

Administrator:

[email protected]


[email protected]

based on 2016 entry

NEW INTERNATIONAL CHAIR IN PIANO:ACCLAIMED PIANIST JEAN-EFFLAM BAVOUZET WILL JOIN THE COLLEGE IN SEPTEMBER AS INTERNATIONAL CHAIR IN PIANO. JEAN-EFFLAM WILL

BECOME ONE OF THREE INTERNATIONAL CHAIRS IN THE SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES, ALONGSIDE KATHRYN STOTT AND STEPHEN HOUGH.

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JMIPC 2016:ORGANISED AND HOSTED BY THE RNCM, THE JAMES MOTTRAM INTERNATIONAL PIANO

COMPETITION (JMIPC) IS A MAJOR BIENNIAL EVENT OFFERING AN ALL-ROUND LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PIANISTS. FINALISTS PERFORMED A CONCERTO WITH THE ROYAL

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN THE RNCM CONCERT HALL.

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ALUMNUS SUCCESS:ALEXANDER PANFILOV (ADVANCED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PIANO 2016) WON FIRST PRIZE AND THE AUDIENCE PRIZE AT THE RINA SALA GALLO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION IN MONZA, ITALY.

STUDENT SUCCESSES:DOMINIC DEGAVINO (BMUS PIANO) WON THE KEYBOARD SECTION FINALS OF THE 2017 ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE (ROSL) ARTS COMPETITION AND THE 2016 TUNBRIDGE WELLS INTERNATIONAL YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS COMPETITION.

62

How You Will Learn

During your time at the RNCM, you will be given

tuition and opportunities to enable you to develop

your instrumental skills to the highest possible level.

Throughout your programme you will receive:

• Weekly one-to-one tuition

• Regular group performance classes: opportunity

to play pieces through in an informal setting, with

tutor feedback

• Recital class: performance opportunity in front of

an audience within a formal setting

• Regular programme of masterclasses and visits from

leading performers and teachers


You will have many opportunities to perform within

the College, including:

• RNCM Festivals, including Keyboard Day and

Chamber Music Festivals

• Concerto auditions

• Recitals, competitions and prizes

• Taking part in large ensembles playing piano,

celeste, harpsichord or organ

• Accompanying RNCM students for performances

and competitions

Extensive external professional engagement

opportunities throughout the region are also on offer

during your studies.ALEXANDRA DARIESCUPIANO 2008I LOVED THE RNCM SO MUCH. WITHOUT ALL OF THE HELP AND SUPPORT I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM TODAY.

SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES


PIANOThe RNCM has the largest fleet of pianos in the UK.

The standard and number of instruments available

to you is exceptional; each piano tutorial space has

two Steinways and all other rooms are equipped with

Yamahas. The School also has a limited number of

upright pianos and keyboards for students to loan.

As well as studying with our own highly-experienced

tutors, you may also take inspiration from our

masterclasses and talks from world-renowned visiting

artists, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jean-Efflam

Bavouzet, Alfred Brendel, Richard Goode, Stephen

Hough, Pascal Rogé and András Schiff. Each year,

there are opportunities for 2-3 students to perform at

the Wigmore Hall.

HARPSICHORD Principal Study harpsichordists have access to a

wide variety of instruments on which to play, and

receive one-to-one harpsichord tuition. There is a

comprehensive programme in place to ensure you

develop fluent continuo playing techniques, and an

extensive range of performance opportunities with

both modern and period-instrument chamber groups,

as well as in opera and orchestral concerts.

Alumni

Our alumni enjoy successful international careers

as concert pianists, chamber musicians, recitalists,

accompanists and educators, including:

Vovka Ashkenazy Internationally-acclaimed soloist

Peter Donohoe CBE Internationally-renowned

soloist and chamber musician

Ian Fountain Concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber

musician and teacher

Stephen Hough CBE World-leading concert pianist,

writer and composer

Jin Ju International prize winner, fast becoming one

of the most exciting pianists of her generation

Eduard Kunz Leading concert pianist

Martin Roscoe Leading UK pianist

Tom Scott Pianist and composer; performs as

Scott Brothers Duo

63


64

SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES STAFFHead of School

Graham Scott GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Deputy Head of School

Helen Krizos LMusA

International Chairs in Piano Studies

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

Stephen Hough CBE

Kathryn Stott

International Visiting Tutors in Piano

Phillipe Cassard

Nelson Goerner FRNCM

International Tutor in Fortepiano Studies

Stefano Fiuzzi

International Tutor in Harpsichord

Terence Charlston

International Tutor in Song Duos

Julius Drake FRAM

Principal Study Piano Tutors

Benjamin Frith BA, ARCM

John Gough GMusRNCM, PPRNCM, ARCM, FLCM

Paul Janes MusB, GRNCM, PPRNCM

Helen Krizos LMusA

Peter Lawson GRSM, ARMCM

Sally Ann MacLeod PPRNCM

Murray McLachlan MA, LRAM

Richard Ormrod MA (Cantab)

Dina Parakhina PGDip, MDip

(Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory)

Dr Stephen Savage PhD

Graham Scott GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Colin Stone MA (Oxon), Hon ARAM

Frank Wibaut ARCM, Hon RAM

Jeremy Young LRAM, ARAM

Tutor in Jazz Piano

Dan Whieldon

Tutor in Contemporary Piano

Peter Lawson GRSM, ARMCM

Tutors in Accompaniment

John Gough GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Paul Janes MusB, GRNCM, PPRNCM

Dr David Jones BMus, MusM (Perf), PhD,

PGDipRNCM

Tutor in Pedagogy

Helen Krizos LMusA

Tutor in Subsidiary Piano

Sam Brook

Benjamin Powell BMus, MMus, PRNCM, MPhil

Staff Pianists

Roderick Barrand MusB, GRNCM, ARNCM

Gemma Beeson MusB (Hons), GRNCM, PGDip, MMus

Leanne Cody MusB, GRNCM, MMus

Harvey Davies GRNCM

Jonathan Fisher BMus, MMus

Jonathan Gooing BMus (Hons), MMus, LRSM


PGDipRNCM

Benjamin Powell BMus, MMus, PPRNCM, MPhil

Stephen Reynolds GRSM, ARMCM

Lauryna Sableviciute MMus

Jonathan Scott BMus, PPRNCM, ARCM, FTCL

Ruth Webb BMus, PPRNCM, PGDip

Head of Accompaniment


PGDipRNCM

65


MARIA LUCBMUS (HONS) PIANOTHE SCHOOL OF KEYBOARD STUDIES IS A REALLY FRIENDLY, FAIR AND CARING ENVIRONMENT. THERE ARE ALWAYS MASTERCLASSES AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES BOTH IN THE RNCM AND ALL OVER MANCHESTER. THIS WEEK I’M PROFESSIONALLY RECORDING BEETHOVEN’S SONATA AT THE RNCM. STUDYING HERE HAS MADE ME MORE OPEN-MINDED – THE TUTORS ARE VERY OPEN TO NEW MUSIC AND INTRODUCING US TO OTHER GENRES. IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE AND MAKES YOU A ROUNDED MUSICIAN, WHICH OPENS UP LOTS OF POSSIBILITIES!

66

CHRIS HOYLE HEAD OF SCHOOLTHE SCHOOL OF STRINGS PROVIDES AN INSPIRING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO PURSUE YOUR TRAINING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL. JOIN OUR COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY OF STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC, AND LEARN FROM SOME OF THE WORLD’S LEADING TEACHERS AND PERFORMERS.

Principal Study in

VIOLIN VIOLA CELLO DOUBLE BASS HARP GUITAR including Lute, Theorbo and Early Guitar

67

SCHOOL OFSTRINGS

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SCHOOL BY NUMBERS

School of Strings Administrator:

[email protected]


[email protected]

based on 2016 entry

NEW VIOLA CREATED FOR RNCM COLLECTION:FOUR OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST LUTHIERS (WILLIAM CASTLE, HELEN MICHETSCHLÄGER,

KAI-THOMAS ROTH, MARC SOUBEYRAN) CREATED A BRAND NEW VIOLA ON THE CONCOURSE OF THE RNCM, COMPLETED AHEAD OF THE STRINGS FESTIVAL, AND PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THOMAS RIEBL, INTERNATIONAL TUTOR IN VIOLA.

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RNCM STRINGS FESTIVAL:THE SCHOOL HELD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RNCM STRINGS FESTIVAL, A CELEBRATION

OF BAROQUE MUSIC AND ITS INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED A STUDENT PERFORMANCE OF VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS, AND THE

SPECTACULAR SIGHT OF 40 CELLISTS PERFORMING TALLIS’ SPEM IN ALIUM.

69

rncm.ac.uk/strings

ALUMNI NEWS:POSTGRADUATE CELLIST ABEL SELAOCOE WON THE 2017 ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE (ROSL) ARTS OVER-SEAS AWARD ACCOMPANIED BY ALUMNUS TYLER HAY, AND THE ENSEMBLE AWARD WITH HIS GROUP, KABANTU.

CHAMBER MUSIC:ALUMNUS DONALD GRANT (VIOLIN, 2002), VIOLINIST WITH THE RENOWNED ELIAS QUARTET, RECENTLY JOINED THE RNCM AS DEPUTY HEAD OF CHAMBER MUSIC - STRINGS.

70

How You Will Learn

The aim of the School is to prepare students for

a professional career in music, by offering a wide

variety of opportunities. We aim to produce flexible

and adaptable musicians of the highest calibre.


• Weekly Principal Study tuition

• Masterclasses from internationally-renowned tutors

and performers

• Regular Performance Classes

• Opportunities to be involved in chamber music sessions

on core repertoire alongside eminent musicians

• Regular workshops and clinics on ‘How to Practise’

The School has an open class policy and you will be

encouraged to attend as many classes as possible

given by tutors other than your own.

Your instrumental lessons are complemented by

various extra classes throughout the year which have

been designed to enrich your learning as a solo player

or ensemble musician. These can include Speciality

Classes (given by tutors who hold principal positions in

orchestras), Strings Recitals and Orchestral Excerpt classes.


You will receive a broad range of solo, chamber and

orchestral performance opportunities, including:

• Recital Classes: Students who have achieved a high

standard in these classes will be considered for the

External List and for Lunchtime Concerts

• Twice-yearly compulsory auditions (behind screens)

for RNCM orchestras and ensembles, which include

the RNCM Symphony, String, Chamber, Concert

and Session Orchestras

• Opportunities to play in RNCM festivals, including the

annual Strings Festival and Chamber Music Festival

• Internal competitions and prizes

• Professional Experience Schemes with our

unrivalled range of professional orchestral partners

through The Platform (see page 38 for details).

Chamber Music

The School has a strong tradition of chamber music;

leading chamber ensembles such as the Brodsky,

Navarra and Sorrel Quartets were formed at the RNCM.

You will be given numerous opportunities to be involved

in chamber music with both staff and students, and you

will be able to establish your own student ensemble

through the College’s Chamber Music department. Each

ensemble is designated a tutor for regular lessons

and regular masterclasses are given by visiting tutors.

Historical Performance

Students with a particular aptitude for and interest

in historically-informed performance are encouraged

to further their musical development by playing

with period instruments and bows, and can receive

tuition on Baroque violin, viola, and cello. Tuition in

theorbo, lute and early guitar is also available. There

are a number of period instrument chamber music

events each year, and also regular concerts with a

period instrument Baroque orchestra. The College has

a growing number of period instruments and bows,

which can be made available to students.


SCHOOL OF STRINGS

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PHILIP HIGHAM CELLO 2010MY TIME AT THE RNCM PROVED INVALUABLE TO ME AT EVERY STAGE OF MY DEVELOPMENT AS A MUSICIAN. NOWHERE ELSE COULD I HAVE BUILT SUCH IMPORTANT ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATIONS, BOTH THROUGH MY PROFOUNDLY INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS AND THE UNIQUE, STIMULATING AND SOCIABLE ENVIRONMENT THAT THIS COLLEGE CONTINUES TO FOSTER.

rncm.ac.uk/strings

I REALLY LIKE THE SCHOOL OF STRINGS - THERE ARE ALWAYS LOTS OF PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. NEXT MONTH I’M STARTING ON A PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SCHEME

WITH THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RLPO), WHICH I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT! MY PRINCIPAL STUDY TEACHER IS THE LEAD VIOLA PLAYER FOR THE RLPO, SO

IT’S AMAZING THAT I COULD POTENTIALLY PLAY BESIDE HER IN CONCERT.

EMILY GRACE CLIFTON BMUS (HONS) VIOLA

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SCHOOL OF STRINGS

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rncm.ac.uk/strings

VIOLIN AND VIOLA The School is home to a thriving community of violin

and viola players, who all have a wealth of learning,

audition and performance opportunities available to

them. As well as orchestral repertoire, all students are

encouraged to take part in chamber music, and students

with an interest in historical performance will have the

opportunity to play with period instruments and bows

and to receive tuition in Baroque violin and viola.


High-profile staff and visiting tutors who have recently

delivered masterclasses within the School include:

Olivier Charlier, James Ehnes, Ivry Gitlis, Giovanni

Guzzo, Isabelle van Keulen, Henning Kragerrud, Peter

Manning, Midori, Viktoria Mullova, Julian Rachlin,

Maxim Rysanov, Marianne Thorsen and Nikolaj Znaider.

Violin and Viola Alumni

David Adams Leader of Welsh National Opera

Ian Belton Brodsky Quartet

Adi Brett Leader of Manchester Camerata

Mia Cooper Leader of RTÉ Orchestra

Oliver Heath Leader of the Heath Quartet

Benedict Holland Pleyel Ensemble; regular guest

leader of the BBC Philharmonic

Peter Manning Concertmaster of The Royal Opera

House

Amin Merchant Leader of Bournemouth Symphony

Orchestra

Sarah Oates No 2 1st Violin Philharmonia Orchestra

Kate Richardson Principal 2nd Violin, Royal

Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Michael Thomas Founder of the Brodsky Quartet

Catherine Yates Deputy Head of RNCM School of

Strings; Formerly Principal 2nd Violin, Hallé

CELLO Cellists have the opportunity to learn from some of the

world’s most respected performers and teachers through

Principal Study lessons, workshops and masterclasses

throughout the year. You will be encouraged to be

actively involved in chamber music. If you have a

passion for historical performance, you will have the

opportunity to receive tuition in Baroque cello.


High-profile cellists who have recently given

masterclasses to our students include Frans

Helmerson, Ralph Kirshbaum and Johannes Moser.

Cello Alumni

Joris van den Berg Soloist and chamber musician

Rebecca Gilliver Principal Cello, London Symphony

Orchestra

Clive Greensmith Cellist, Tokyo Quartet

Philip Higham Winner of the 2008 Bach Leipzig and

2009 Lutoslawski Competitions

Chris Hoyle Head of RNCM School of Strings;

chamber musician

Li-Wei Qin Head of Cello Studies at Yong Siew Toh

Conservatory of Music, Singapore

Hannah Roberts Internationally-renowned soloist

and chamber musician

Ursula Smith Leading soloist, chamber musician

and teacher; Young Song Professor at Kyung Hee

University, South Korea

Simon Turner Co-Principal Cello, Hallé

Nicholas Trygstad Section Leader, Hallé

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SCHOOL OF STRINGS

DOUBLE BASS All double bass students receive tuition from

internationally-leading double bassists; regular

workshops, masterclasses and learning opportunities

from a roster of acclaimed visiting tutors; and unique

learning and performance opportunities, including

the recent RNCM Double Bass Day, part of the

RNCM Strings Festival.

RNCM double bass students and alumni are

achieving notable success including Toby Hughes, the

first ever double bassist to win the Strings Final at

the Royal Over-Seas League Competition 2014.


Visiting double bassists who have recently worked

with our students include Michinori Bunya and Nabil

Shehata.

Double Bass Alumni

Leon Bosch Principal Bass, Academy of St-Martin’s-

in-the-Fields

Roberto Carillo-Garcia Section Leader of the Hallé

Siân Hicks Principal Bass, Royal Northern Sinfonia

Yi Xin Salvage Member of the Hallé; teacher at

Chetham’s School of Music

Rachel Meerloo Member of the Hallé

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HARPUnder the direction of the internationally-respected

performer and teacher Eira Lynn Jones, harp students

receive coaching and training in a broad range of

areas including Solo Repertoire, Orchestral Excerpts,

Chamber Music, Jazz Harp, Baroque Harp, French

Repertoire, Grandjany’s Music, Salzedo’s Music,

Auditions Preparation and Alexander Technique.

Extensive external professional engagement

opportunities throughout the region are also

on offer during your degree.

Recent Masterclasses and Workshops

Harp students have opportunities to take part

in masterclasses, workshops and chamber music

coaching with leading harpists, who have recently

included: Siobhan Armstrong, Imogen Barford,

Kathleen Bride, Sixto Corbalán, Gabriella Dall’Olio,

Elisabeth Fontan-Binoche, Alice Giles, Marie-Pierre

Langlamet, Clifford Lantaff, Helen MacLeod, Catriona

McKay, Park Stickney and Louise Thomson.

Harp Alumni

Catriona McKay International clàrsach player,

performing with Kronos Quartet

Mary Ann Kennedy Broadcaster for BBC Radio 3;

winner of the Concours International de l’Harpe

Lucy Haslar Freelance harpist with BBC Symphony

Orchestra and the Rambert Dance Company

Clouds Harp Quartet Winner of the Buxton Fringe

Award

GUITAR (Including Lute, Theorbo and Early Guitar)

Under the tutelage of internationally-leading

guitarist Craig Ogden, RNCM guitar students have

the opportunity to learn and explore classical and

contemporary guitar repertoire, chamber music and

cross-school collaborations, as well as performance

and stagecraft.


Guitar students have the opportunity to take part

in masterclasses and workshops throughout the

year from internationally-respected tutors, who

have recently included: Julian Byzantine, Paula

Chateauneuf, Mark Eden, Paul Galbraith, Klaus

Jackle, Tom McKinney, Rory Russell and Gary Ryan.

Guitar Alumni

Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Leading British chamber

group

Peter Batchelar Senior Lecturer in Classical Guitar,

Leeds College of Music

Paul Galbraith International soloist

Jon Gjylaci Soloist, chamber musician and teacher

Stephen Gordon Tutor at the Royal Welsh College of

Music and Drama

Forbes Henderson International soloist

Tom McKinney New music specialist who has

performed with Psappha, Birmingham Contemporary

Music Group and Ensemble 10/10

Craig Ogden Internationally-renowned recording

artist and RNCM Tutor in Guitar

Elena Papandreou Recording artist and teacher;

Assistant Professor at the University of Macedonia,

Greece

rncm.ac.uk/strings

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SCHOOL OF STRINGS STAFF

Head of School

Chris Hoyle GRNCM, PPRNCM


Catherine Yates GMusRNCM (Hons), PPRNCM

International Chairs in Violin

Yair Kless BA (Mus), MA (Mus)

Henning Kraggerud

International Chair in Viola

Nobuko Imai

Howarth International Tutor in Cello

Miklós Perényi

International Tutor in Cello

Karine Georgian

International Tutor in Double Bass

Božo Paradžik

International Tutor in Strings Pedagogy and

Performance

Henk Guittart

Visiting Tutors in Violin

Levon Chilingirian ARCM, FRCM, Hon PhD, OBE

Elena Urioste

Tutors in Violin

Leland Chen

James Clark

Pavel Fischer

Julia Hanson

Benedict Holland PPRNCM

Fionnuala Hunt

Yair Kless

Gina McCormack

Alexander Sitkovetsky

Yuri Torchinsky PGDip, MDip

Steven Wilkie GMusRNCM, PGDipRNCM

Catherine Yates GMusRNCM (Hons), PPRNCM

Yossi Zivoni FRCM, FRNCM, Graduate Tel Aviv Music

Academy and Royal Conservatory of Brussels

Tutor in Baroque Violin

Dr Pauline Nobes ARNCM, GRNCM, MusM (Perf),

MusB, PGDipRNCM, PhD

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Visiting Tutors in Viola

Henk Guittart

Garth Knox

Thomas Riebl

Simon Rowland-Jones ARCM

Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir

Tutors in Viola

David Aspin ARCM

Veit Hertenstein

Susie Mészáros

Lucy Nolan

Martin Schäfer

Vicci Wardman

Tutor in Baroque Viola

Annette Isserlis

Visiting Tutor in Cello

Raphael Wallfisch FRAM, FGSM

Tutors in Cello

Peter Dixon FRAM, ARAM

Leonard Elschenbroich

Emma Ferrand DipRAM, ARAM, LRAM, FRNCM

Chris Hoyle GRNCM, PPRNCM

Nicholas Jones ARCM

Jennifer Langridge

Sally-Jane Pendlebury

Petr Prause

Hannah Roberts ARCM, PPRNCM, FRNCM

Victoria Simonsen

Gillian Thoday LRAM, Konzert Dip (North West

German Music Academy)

Nicholas Trygstad BMus (Hons)

Eduardo Vassallo Dip (Maastricht Conservatoire),

Dip (International Menuhin Academy, Gstaad)

Tutor in Baroque Cello

Susan Sheppard ARAM

Tutors in Double Bass

Roberto Carillo-Garcia

Ronan Dunne

Jiří Hudec

Visiting Tutor in Guitar

Gordon Crosskey BSc, ARCM, FRNCM

Tutors in Guitar

Craig Ogden BA (Mus), PGDipRNCM, PPRNCM,

FRNCM

Rory Russell BMus (Hons)

Tom McKinney BMus (Hons), MusM

Tutor in Lute, Theorbo and Early Guitar

Paula Chateauneuf

Tutor in Harp

Eira Lynn Jones GMusRNCM, MMus

Tutor in Dalcroze Eurythmics

Karin Greenhead

Artistic Support and Projects Coordinator

Cheryl Law

rncm.ac.uk/strings

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PROFESSOR LYNNE DAWSON HEAD OF SCHOOLTHE SCHOOL OF VOCAL STUDIES AND OPERA IS RENOWNED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST INSPIRING DEPARTMENTS IN A CONSERVATOIRE IN WHICH TO PURSUE VOCAL AND OPERATIC TRAINING. ALL STUDENTS STUDY ON A COMBINED VOCAL AND OPERA COURSE WHERE EVERY SINGER IS GIVEN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP MUSICIANSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THIS INTEGRATED APPROACH MEANS THAT EVERY STUDENT IS ABLE TO WORK ON DIFFERENT VOCAL STYLES THROUGH STUDYING A RANGE OF REPERTOIRE, PROVIDING YOU WITH A BROAD RANGE OF TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES.

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[email protected]


[email protected]

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TOO DARN HOT:VOCAL STUDENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH RNCM BIG BAND

IN SUMMER 2016, SINGERS FROM THE SCHOOL DEMONSTRATED THEIR VERSATILITY IN AN EXCITING COLLABORATION WITH THE RNCM BIG BAND,

JOURNEYING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF THE 30s, 40s AND 50s.

INTERNATIONAL CHAIR IN OPERA:INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED OPERA DIRECTOR

AND RNCM ALUMNUS GRAHAM VICK CBE HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED TO THIS

PRESTIGIOUS POSITION.

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FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:ALUMNA KATIE LOWE AND POSTGRADUATE SOPRANO SAMANTHA CLARKE HAVE BEEN AWARDED SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF A POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP AND VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP FROM INDEPENDENT OPERA AT SADLER’S WELLS.

ALUMNI NEWS:ANGELA SIMKIN (MEZZO-SOPRANO) AND JAMES HENDRY (REPETITEUR) ARE CURRENTLY ON THE JETTE PARKER YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAMME AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, AND KANG WANG (TENOR) MADE HIS DÉBUT IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA, NEW YORK.

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How You Will Learn

The undergraduate programme is designed to

develop students’ vocal, dramatic, linguistic,

stagecraft and musicianship skills, necessary for

a career in operatic, concert and recital work.

As a student of the School of Vocal Studies and

Opera, you will receive:

• Principal Study singing lessons

• One-to-one and ensemble coaching sessions

• Language and phonetic tuition in Italian, German,

French and Russian/Czech

• Song/aria repertoire classes in English, Italian,

German French and Russian/Czech

• Classes in Stagecraft, Voice and Speech, Stage

Combat, Physical Awareness and Alexander Technique

• Classes in Recitative, Chamber Music and Vocal Pedagogy

• Tuition in Oratorio, Historical Performance,

Contemporary Repertoire and Musical Theatre

• Staged Opera Excerpts (years 3 and 4)

Our weekly school activities are often led by high-profile

singers, accompanists and performers. Recent visiting

staff include Alice Coote, Julius Drake, James Gilchrist,

Della Jones, Nelly Miricioiu and Catherine Wyn-Rogers.

Performance Opportunities and Competitions

In additional to scheduled classes, students have the

opportunity to participate in internal and external recitals,

masterclasses, festivals and orchestral concerts. There

are numerous competitions open to singers studying

at the RNCM, many of which offer substantial prize

money and external performance opportunities.

RNCM Songsters and External Engagements

Selected students involved in RNCM Songsters

receive intensive song repertoire coaching and take

part in a number of external concert performances.

Our Professional Engagements Office deals with a

large number of choral and music societies, and our

singers are regularly requested as soloists for oratorio

performances, recitals and gala concerts.


Our students have the opportunity to take part

in masterclasses given by highly-experienced

international artists, who have recently included:

Sir Thomas Allen, Susan Bullock, Sarah Connolly,

Dame Ann Murray, Anne Sofie von Otter, Sir John

Tomlinson and Roderick Williams.

Alumni

The School is proud of the success of its graduates.

We are delighted to have professional links with

European Opera Studios and International Young

Artists Programmes, and we have many international

prize-winning graduates now performing in opera

houses and concert halls worldwide.

Many of our alumni have gone on to establish

highly successful international singing careers,

including: Barry Banks, Katherine Broderick, Alice

Coote, Sara Fulgoni, Darren Jeffery, Linda Kitchen,

Simon Keenlyside, David Kempster, Christine Rice,

Linda Richardson, Jeffrey Lloyd Roberts and

Richard Wiegold. Recent alumni who are currently

establishing fine careers in international opera houses

and concert halls include: Carolina Krogius, Nadine

Livingstone, Soraya Mafi, Camilla Ribero-Souza,

Kathryn Rudge, Helen Sherman, Elgan Llyr Thomas

and Kang Wang.

SCHOOL OF VOCAL STUDIESAND OPERA

FOR PROGRAMME INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO STUDENTS ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS,PLEASE SEE THE BACHELOR OF MUSIC AND GRNCM/MUSB PAGES (PAGS 102 – 117).

KATHRYN RUDGEMEZZO-SOPRANOTHE VOCAL TUITION, SUPPORT AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES I RECEIVED DURING MY STUDIES AT THE RNCM WERE SUCH A GREAT PREPARATION FOR MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD.

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EDWARD ROBINSONBMUS (HONS) BARITONE

I REALLY ENJOY BEING PART OF THE SCHOOL OF VOCAL STUDIES AND OPERA.THE VIBE IS INTENSE AS THERE’S LOTS TO DO, BUT IT’S ALSO VERY SUPPORTIVE,

ENCOURAGING AND FUN! I’M REALLY ENJOYING ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE GET. FOR MY INDEPENDENT PROJECT I’M RUNNING A RECITAL SERIES IN MY HOME TOWN,

BURTON-ON-TRENT. WE’VE HAD ONE SOLD OUT CONCERT, WHERE WE GOT TWO PREMIÈRES FROM THE IVOR GURNEY TRUST, AND PERFORMED WORKS THAT

WERE NEVER PUBLISHED OR PERFORMED, WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE!

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RNCM OPERA

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We believe that it is essential for every student to

receive advanced tuition in both concert singing and

operatic training on a combined vocal and opera course.

Students in the School of Vocal Studies and Opera follow

a highly specialist and intensive programme of study.

The RNCM has an outstanding reputation for training

talented singers for professional operatic careers.

RNCM Opera produces two fully-staged operas every

year, plus a third performance project. All students have

the opportunity to participate in the RNCM Opera,

both in the chorus and singing the principal roles. Many

students are also involved in our fully staged public

bi-annual Opera Scene performances. There may also

be the opportunity to audition for the major opera

companies who visit the RNCM on an annual basis.

Those students involved in our staged productions are

offered the same opportunities as those enrolled on a

specific opera course or opera studio programme. RNCM

students are offered unrivalled operatic performance

opportunities in our purpose-built 657-seat theatre.

Professional Partnerships

The RNCM has professional partnerships

in place with two UK opera companies. These

partnerships offer exclusive opportunities to RNCM

students: Opera North – role shadowing, chorus

mentor scheme, residential courses, audition

opportunities and professional work opportunities.

Buxton International Festival – exclusive RNCM/

Young Artist Programme includes professional

singing experience with the offer of chorus

work, small roles and covers.

We also have a professional partnership in place with the

Edvard Grieg Kor in Bergen, Norway. RNCM students have

been contracted to join the opera chorus in productions

at the Bergen National Opera, including Madama

Butterfly, I Capuleti e I Montecchi, and Peter Grimes.

Graduate Destinations

We currently have a high number of recent alumni

singing principal roles with English National Opera,

Glyndebourne Festival, Opera Vlaanderen (Belgium),

Scottish Opera, English Touring Opera, Welsh

National Opera, Opera Holland Park, The Grange

Festival, Nederlandse Reisopera (Netherlands), The

Metropolitan Opera (USA), Bergen Nasjonale Opera

(Norway), Wexford Festival Opera and Opera Australia.

rncm.ac.uk/vocalstudiesandoperaRNCM OPERA

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SCHOOL OF VOCAL STUDIESAND OPERA STAFFHead of Vocal Studies and Opera

Professor Lynne Dawson Member of Institute of

Linguists, FRNCM

Deputy Head of Vocal Studies

Susan Roper BA, Magister Linguae (Florence),

PGDipRNCM

Deputy Head of Opera

Kevin Thraves DipRCM (Hons), ARCM

International Chair in Opera

Graham Vick CBE

Principal Study Vocal Tutors

Matthew Best MA (Hons) Cantab

Professor Lynne Dawson MIL, FRNCM

Sandra Dugdale AGSM

Quentin Hayes AGSM

Andrew Heggie BMus (Hons) UNSW, PGDipRNCM

Jane Irwin BMus (Hons), PGDipRNCM

David Lowe MA (Hons), HonARAM

Paul Nilon PPRNCM

Mary Plazas GMus (Hons), PPRNCM

Nicholas Powell

Deborah Rees PPRNCM

Sarah Rhodes AGSM


PGDipRNCM

Thomas Schulze

Antonia Sotgiu GRNCM

Peter Alexander Wilson DipRSAMD

Louise Winter GRNCM, PPRNCM

Recent International Visiting Tutors

Sir Thomas Allen CBE

Susan Bullock CBE

Julius Drake

James Gilchrist

Della Jones

Patricia MacMahon

Nelly Miricioiu

Professor David Owen Norris

Anne Sofie von Otter

Ian Partridge

Christopher Purves

Joan Rodgers CBE

Andrew Shore

Anthony Spiri

Hilary Summers

Sir John Tomlinson CBE

Roger Vignoles

Roderick Williams

Catherine Wyn-Rogers

Repertoire and Song Class Tutors

Professor Lynne Dawson MIL, FRNCM

Henry Herford MA, ARNCM, GRNCM

Nataliya Kompaniyets-Jouri BEng (Hons), BA

(Hons), PGDipRNCM, PPRNCM, PGCertPAE, FHEA

Deborah Rees PPRNCM


PGDipRNCM

Thomas Schulze

Antonia Sotgiu GRNCM

Peter Alexander Wilson DipRSAMD

Louise Winter GRNCM, PPRNCM

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Tutors in Operatic Repertoire and

Visiting Repetiteurs

Hein Boterberg (International Opera Academy –

Belgium)

Derek Clark (Scottish Opera)

David Cowan (Opera North)

Isobel Flinn

Andrew Greenwood (Welsh National Opera)

David Gowland (Jette Parker – Royal Opera House)

Robin Humphreys BMus, PPRNCM

Russell Medley GRNCM, ARNCM

Gareth Morrell (The Metropolitan Opera, USA)

Martin Pickard (Opera North)

Phillip Thomas

Kevin Thraves DipRCM, ARCM

Philip White (Opera de Lyon - France)

Paul Wynne Griffiths (Royal Opera House)

Tutors in Stagecraft, Voice & Speech

and Stage Combat

Lisa Adams-Davey MA, BA (Hons), Dip Acting,

CMS, PGCE, C&G Ed

Kenan Ali BA (Hons), PGCE

Garth Bardsley MA

Natalie Grady BA (Hons)

Tutors in Physical Awareness

and Alexander Technique

Margaret Heaton

Bethan Rhys Wiliam ARAD, AISTD, CertEd, TDLB

D32 & 33, FHE

Tutors in Academic Language Classes

Jarmila Hickman BA, MA

Dr Beate Peter BA, PhD, FHEA, PGCE, CELTA

Antonio Tilli Dottore in Lettere Moderne (Chieti)

Alexander Vonrospach BA, MA, CELTA, DPSI

Tutors in Pedagogy and Vocal Health

Frances Ascott BSc (Hons), MRCSLT.

Lead Speech and Language Therapist

(Manchester Royal Infirmary)

Yakubu Karagama DLO, MSc

(Advanced Voice Research), FRCS (ORL & HN)

Consultant Otolaryngologist

(Manchester Royal Infirmary)

Dr Ron Morris PhD


PGDipRNCM


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Principal Study in

FLUTE OBOE CLARINET BASSOON SAXOPHONE RECORDER (new discipline added in 2017)

FRENCH HORN TRUMPET TROMBONE TUBA CORNET TENOR HORN EUPHONIUM AND BARITONE HORN PERCUSSION/TIMPANI

PROFESSOR JOHN MILLER HEAD OF SCHOOLTHE SCHOOL OF WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION IS A MULTIFACETED, LIVELY AND CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY OF STAFF AND STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. YOU WILL LEARN FROM INTERNATIONALLY-RESPECTED TEACHERS WHO WILL ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE YOU TO ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL. YOU WILL BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES IN SOLO PLAYING, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES AND LARGE DIRECTED ENSEMBLES COVERING ALL GENRES, BOTH WITHIN THE COLLEGE AND WITH OUR PAN-EUROPEAN NETWORK OF PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS.

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SCHOOL BY NUMBERS

School of Wind, Brass and

Percussion Administrator:

[email protected]


[email protected]

based on 2016 entry

RNCM WINS UNIBRASS 2017:THE RNCM BRASS BAND WON THE COVETED UNIBRASS TROPHY, AND

SECOND YEAR UNDERGRADUATE DOMINIC LONGHURST (CORNET) PICKED UP THE AWARD FOR BEST SOLOIST, WHILE FOURTH YEAR COMPOSER

CALLUM HARRISON WAS ANNOUNCED AS BEST CONDUCTOR.

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RNCM BRASS BAND:OUR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FLAGSHIP ENSEMBLE WAS FEATURED AT THE

RNCM FESTIVAL OF BRASS BANDS IN JANUARY 2017. THE BRITISH BANDSMAN WROTE IN AN ARTICLE DESCRIBING THE SETTING OF NEW STANDARDS THAT

‘THIS PERFORMANCE WAS A WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF THE BEST TALENTS FROM THE RNCM, SO WELL LED BY [JAMES GOURLAY] WITH THE PLAYERS RESPONDING IN KIND’.

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RNCM DAY OF PERCUSSION:THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED IN STYLE WITH AN OPENING PERFORMANCE FEATURING OVER 100 PERCUSSIONISTS. CLINICS GIVEN BY INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS ALEX ACUÑA, RALPH SALMINS, ALUMNUS JOHN HUNT AND JOBY BURGESS FOLLOWED, AND CONCERTS FEATURING ‘O DUO’ AND THE BAND OF THE RAF REGIMENT.

RNCM WIND ORCHESTRA:THE RNCM WIND ORCHESTRA MAINTAINS INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM. GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE DESCRIBED THE FIRST OF A NEW SERIES OF RECORDINGS FOR CHANDOS RECORDS AS ‘BRIGHT-EYED, UPFRONT PERFORMANCES… DELIVERED WITH ENERGY AND AN ENJOYABLE HINT OF SWING’.

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How You Will Learn

The range of repertoire you will experience is broad.

Whilst we place a strong emphasis on the performance

of new music, we also nurture the established

traditions of European wind, brass and percussion

playing, including orchestras, other large ensembles,

chamber music, historical performance and jazz.


• Individual Principal Study tuition

• Performance activities, such as chamber music,

orchestral auditions and creative leadership skills

• Additional lessons on a doubling, associated or jazz

instrument as appropriate

• Masterclasses and visits from international tutors

who provide invaluable additional perspective

and expertise, as well as explaining professional

protocol in other countries and cultures

All students initially have weekly one-to-one lessons

in Principal Study with one assigned teacher. On some

instruments, such as percussion and saxophones, more

than one teacher will deliver specialist tuition in various

disciplines. A series of instrument-specific classes

and school-wide performance classes supplement

this one-to-one tuition and provide students with

exposure to all the tutors of your discipline.

Chamber Music

Chamber music is a fundamental part of each student’s

course, and through the School and the College’s

Chamber Music department, you will be able to form your

own student ensembles, for which you will be designated

a tutor for bespoke lessons. Chamber ensembles help

you to foster initiative, teamwork and commitment

and provide frequent performance opportunities.


You will be offered a wide range of performance

opportunities from the beginning of your studies.

These will include:

• RNCM orchestras, wind, brass and percussion

ensembles, Brass Band, New Ensemble, Big Band,

chamber music

• Concerto auditions

• Competitions and prizes

• Opportunities to perform in RNCM Festivals, including

Festival of Brass Bands, Wind, Brass and Percussion

Festival, Saxophone Day and Day of Percussion

• Stages: these informal performing opportunities are

held throughout the year, with live tutor feedback,

and leading on to many opportunities for external

performances

• Solo recitals

We offer the opportunity to audition for placements

with our world-class partner orchestras and ensembles

through our Professional Experience Schemes,

see page 38 for details of The Platform. Successful

students work with ensembles and receive mentoring

support from professional players. Recent projects

have included professional paid work and side-by-

side work with the BBC Philharmonic; a residency

with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in Dortmund; and

a group of students joined the Netherlands Wind

Ensemble on a three-city tour across Holland.

During your time at the College, you may also apply

for external engagements. These opportunities range

from background music with a chamber group through

to full evening solo recitals.

SCHOOL OF WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION


LES NEISHTUBA 2005LEARNING FROM WORLD CLASS EDUCATORS AND MAKING GREAT FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY, THE RNCM WAS THE PERFECT PLACE TO START MY MUSICAL CAREER. TRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD AS A MUSICIAN IS A WONDERFUL THING AND I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THE RNCM HELPED ME TO REALISE THIS AMBITION.

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WIND Wind players have numerous learning, performance

and audition opportunities available to them.

All wind students receive:

• Individual lessons as well as a number of

Performance/Techniques group classes

• Opportunities to study appropriate doubling

or associated instruments

• Masterclasses given by world-leading woodwind

performers and teachers


Masterclasses from esteemed performers and

experienced teachers enhance and support your

learning, and have recently been given by Massimo

Mercelli and Adam Walker (flute), Francois Leleux

(oboe), Mark Simpson and Ros Dunlop (clarinet), John

Harle (saxophone), and Bram Van Sambeek (bassoon).

Wind Alumni

Graduates have gone on to establish successful

performance and teaching careers, including:

Emmet Byrne Principal Oboe, City of Birmingham

Symphony Orchestra

Ruth Davies Co-Principal Oboe, Royal Liverpool

Philharmonic Orchestra

Richard Davis newly appointed Associate Professor

in Music (Conducting – Music Direction) and Head

of Orchestral Studies at the Melbourne

Conservatorium of Music

Ben Hudson Bassoon, Hallé

Jenny Galloway Principal Oboe, BBC Philharmonic

Lynsey Marsh Principal Clarinet, Hallé

Steve Magee Contrabassoon, BBC Symphony

Orchestra

Andrew Nicholson Principal Flute, West Australian

Symphony Orchestra

Rachael Pankhurst Cor Anglais, City of Birmingham

Symphony Orchestra

Julie Price Co-Principal Bassoon, BBC Symphony

Orchestra

Lenny Sayers Principal Bass Clarinet, BBC National

Orchestra of Wales

Thomas Verity Clarinet, Royal Liverpool



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SAXOPHONESBecause of versatile repertoire, style, and instrument

doublings, this discipline is partly autonomous,

although administration comes under the umbrella

of woodwind studies. Under the artistic direction

of Rob Buckland, individual instrumental tuition is

divided amongst various tutors to reflect the needs

of the profession. In addition, chamber music and

participation in the RNCM Big Band are strong

components of performance.


Recent masterclasses have been given by Arno

Bornkamp, John Harle, Johan van der Linden,

Timothy McAllister, Bob Mintzer, Marius Neset

and Chris Potter. RNCM alumni continue to make

a strong impact in the profession and include

Ruth Bourn, Anthony Brown, Rob Buckland, Sally

MacTaggart, Carl Raven, Andy Scott, Jenni Watson

and Huw Wiggin.

96

BRASSContinuing the vision of trumpeter Philip Jones,

the RNCM’s very first Head of School, the College

offers students exceptional tuition and performance

opportunities. All students receive a mixture of

individual lessons and instrument-specific classes,

and will benefit from new historical, analytical

studies and musicianship training. Philip Jones left

his archive of brass ensemble music and related

correspondence to the College, leaving a rich

resource for wider study and research.

Brass students at the RNCM develop a broad

range of professional skills, with studies in historical

performance, chamber music, orchestral playing and

jazz. International Tutors from Europe and the US

visit regularly to offer supplementary expertise.


There are frequent masterclasses given by

internationally-renowned brass players, who have

recently included: trumpeters Rex Richardson and Jonas

Haltia; horn player Rodolfo Epelde; trombonists Donal

Banister, Davur Magnussen and Matt Gee; and tubists

James Gourlay and Kevin Sanders. Philip Cobb of the

London Symphony Orchestra gave a joint class and

recital to the assembled cornet and trumpet students,

inspiring all who heard him.

Brass Alumni

The College’s brass graduates have active careers

working across the world as soloists, band and

orchestra members and teachers, including:

John Barber Principal Trombone, Foden’s Band

Richard Brown Principal Trombone, BBC Philharmonic

David Childs International soloist, Euphonium

Owen Farr Solo Tenor Horn, Cory Band

Tom Hutchinson Principal Cornet, Cory Band

Tim Jackson Principal Horn, Royal Liverpool


Simon Johnston Principal Trombone, BBC Scottish

Symphony Orchestra

Katrina Marzella Solo Baritone, Black Dyke Band

Paul Milner Bass Trombone, London Symphony

Orchestra

Les Neish Tuba, RNCM Tutor

Mark O’Keeffe Principal Trumpet, BBC Scottish

Symphony Orchestra

Tom Osborne Trumpet, Hallé

Jamie Prophet Principal Trumpet, BBC Philharmonic

Ben Thomson Tuba, Orchestra of the Royal

Opera House

David Thornton Euphonium player and teacher

Martin Winter Associate Principal Trumpet, Bergen


Dean Wright Principal Trumpet, Welsh National Opera


PERCUSSIONUnder the direction of acclaimed percussionist Simone

Rebello, students will receive world-class tuition

and performance opportunities in a supportive and

collaborative environment. Each student will receive

tuition in timpani, tuned percussion, orchestral

percussion, drum kit and world music skills, delivered

in a variety of individual lessons by specialist tutors.

Students will normally have three or more regular

tutors. In addition, they are encouraged to take up

opportunities for chamber music coaching.

There are numerous department

classes including orchestral

studies, performance and

presentation skills, practice

tips and working in larger-

scale rhythm sections and

world music ensembles.

These classes are alternated

between members of the

percussion staff and visiting

artists such as Birger Sulsbrück

and Randy Max (timpani).

The department is divided into small

percussion ensembles who select the

repertoire they wish to play in the annual

percussion ensemble concert. In addition, the

larger percussion ensemble will take part in various

events, including the RNCM Day of Percussion,

where we have backed artists such as Arthur Lipner

and Ney Rosauro.


We have had many visiting artists over the years for

masterclasses and lessons, including Evelyn Glennie,

Colin Currie, Keiko Abe, Joe Locke, Eric Sammut,

Ash Soan, Anthony Kerr and Ney Rosauro.

97


98

Head of School

Professor John Miller MA, FGS, FRNCM


To be announced

Deputy Head of School and Director of Percussion


Senior Tutor of Brass Band

Dr David Thornton BA, PPRNCM

Besson International Chair in Brass

Professor James Gourlay

International Chair in Brass Band

Professor David King

International Chair in Saxophone

Vincent David

International Chair in Oboe

Professor Bart Schneemann

International Chair in French Horn

Professor Alberto Menedez Escribano

International Chair in Trumpet and Intuitive Music

Professor Markus Stockhausen

International Tutor in Bassoon and Chamber Music

Stefano Canuti

International Tutor in Flute

Dr Anders Ljungar-Chapelon

International Tutor in French Horn

Frøydis Ree Wekre

International Tutor in Trombone

Zoltan Kiss

International Tutor in Jazz Trombone

Jiggs Whigham

International Tutor in Percussion

Birger Sulsbrück

Tutors in Flute

Katherine Baker BMus, DipRAM, ARAM, FRAM

Joshua Batty

Paul Edmund Davies

Kevin Gowland

Laura Jellicoe GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Tutors in Piccolo

Jennifer Hutchinson

Rosemary Lock

Tutor in Baroque Flute

Dr Stephen Preston AGSM, PhD

Tutors in Oboe

Melinda Maxwell BA, ARCM, LTCL, HonARAM

Hugh McKenna LRAM, ARCM, ARAM

Jonathan Small ARCM

Tutors in Cor Anglais

Thomas Davey BMus, MMus, ARAM

Rachael Pankhurst BMus, GRNCM, PPRNCM, LRSM

Tutor in Baroque Oboe

Anthony Robson FRAM

SCHOOL OF WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION STAFF

99

Tutors in Clarinet

John Bradbury MA, ARAM

Nicholas Cox MA, SolDip (Musikhochschule Hannover)

Lindsey Marsh

Professor Linda Merrick GRSM, MMus, PhD,

FRNCM, ARAM, LRAM, FLCM, FRSA, FHEA,

HonVCM

Antonio Salguero Montesinos Premio Extraordinario

de Honor Fin de Carrera

Christopher Swann GRSM, LRAM

Tutors in E Flat Clarinet

Rosa Campos

Christopher Swann GRSM, LRAM

Tutors in Bass Clarinet

Jillian Allen

Dr Sarah Watts BMus (Hons), LRAM, Tweede Fase

(Rotterdam Conservatorium), PhD

Tutor in Early Clarinet

Dr Lesley Schatzberger BA (Hons), ARCM, DUniv

Tutors in Bassoon

Stefano Canuti

David Chatwin ARCM

Simon Durnford ARCM

Laurence Perkins GRNCM

Graham Salvage ARAM, LRAM, ARCM

Gretha Tuls

Tutor in Contrabassoon

Bill Anderson ARAM, LRAM

Tutors in Saxophone

Rob Buckland GRNCM, PPRNCM, FRNCM

Carl Raven BMus, PPRNCM

Andy Scott GRNCM

Tutor in Jazz Saxophone and Improvisation


Tutor in Recorder

Chris Orton HonBC, AdvPGDip (Prof Perf), BMus (Hons)

Tutors in French Horn

Rebecca Goldberg GRNCM, PPRNCM, PGDipRNCM

Timothy Jackson

Julian Plummer GRNCM, PPRNCM

Lindsey Stoker GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

Tutor in Hand Horn

Rebecca Goldberg GRNCM, PPRNCM, PGDipRNCM

Tutors in Trumpet

John Dickinson

Murray Greig GMusRNCM, MMus, PPRNCM

Professor John Miller MA, FGS, FRNCM

Rhys Owens DipRCM

Tracey Redfern BMus, PPRNCM, PGDipRNCM

Gareth Small GRSM, ARAM, LRAM, LTCL

Visiting Tutor in Trumpet

Mark O’Keeffe DipCSM, ALCM, LTCL, FTCL,

PPRNCM, MMus

Tutor in Jazz Trumpet

Steve Waterman GTCL, HonARAM

Tutors in Natural Trumpet

David Blackadder

David Hendry GRNCM, PGDipRCM


THE STANDARD OF CLASSICAL TRAINING AT THE RNCM IS RIDICULOUSLY HIGH, BUT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE LOTS MORE MUSIC AND YOU’RE

ENCOURAGED TO BE AN ALL-ROUND MUSICIAN. MY HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR WAS A MASTERCLASS FROM THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC’S WIND QUARTET

WHO PERFORMED AND COACHED OUR CHAMBER GROUPS. THEY GAVE ME A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE MUSIC, AND IT WAS VERY INSPIRING!

MICHAEL CHOI BMUS (HONS) CLARINET

100


101

Tutors in Cornet

Richard Marshall BA, LRSM

Professor Roger Webster MMus, PhD

Visiting Tutor in Cornet

Mark Wilkinson

Tutors in Trombone

Roger Cutts AGSM

Robert Holliday GRNCM, PPRNCM

Katy Jones

Tutor in Bass Trombone

Christian Jones

Tutor in Sackbutt and Classical Trombone

Susan Addison ARCM (Hons), HonRAM, HonLRAM

Tutors in Tuba

Ewan Easton MBE

Robin Haggart BMus, LRAM, ARAM

Brian Kingsley ARCM

Besson Visiting Tutor of Tuba

Les Neish BMus (Hons), PGDip, PPRNCM

Tutors in Euphonium and Baritone Horn

Steven Mead BA, ALCM, FRNCM

Dr David Thornton BA, PPRNCM

Visiting Tutor of Euphonium

Thomas Rüedi

Tutor in Tenor Horn

Owen Farr

Tutors in Percussion

Elizabeth Gilliver GMusRNCM, PPRNCM

David Hassell HonARAM

Paul Patrick LRAM, ARAM


Andrea Vogler BMus (Hons), PGDipRNCM

Tutor in Timpani

Ian Wright FRNCM



103

WHICH PROGRAMME IS RIGHT FOR ME?

104 BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS A four-year BMus programme with a broad range of studies and

performance opportunities. A three-year intensive BMus is available

for outstanding candidates, limited to approximately 10 places.

108 BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS IN POPULAR MUSIC

A unique four-year programme for aspiring popular musicians,

delivered at the RNCM, Blueprint Studios and Lever Street Studios.

114 GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF THE RNCM A four-year programme, informally known as the ‘Joint Course’,

which offers a unique opportunity for students with outstanding

practical and academic ability to study on two programmes alongside

each other at the RNCM and The University of Manchester.

Normally, 20 applicants are shortlisted and invited to interview.

104

The BMus supports the education of

well-rounded, exciting and inspired

musicians, and complements the

joy of performance or composition

(the Principal Study) with training

to the highest possible standard.

This is enhanced through the

development of our students as

artists – the future of professional

music-making – and as informed,

articulate and passionate advocates

for the music they play and create.

One-to-one Principal Study training

lies at the heart of your four-

year journey. Students focus on

development of technical and

creative expertise through weekly

one-to-one tuition, group classes,

and a range of performance

opportunities including high-

profile masterclasses, the public

performance programme, and classes

with eminent visiting musicians.

Increasing choice as the programme

progresses enables all students

to follow their own path. You will

develop specialisms, connections and

a personal musical style to support

your individual musical aspirations,

interests, and career plans.

Professional Placement

Every student will have the

opportunity to try out possible

career choices in their year 3

placement in the music industry.

Examples of organisations with

which students have undertaken

placements include: The Hallé,

BBC, The Bridgewater Hall, Young

Voices, One Education Music, RNCM

Young Strings, Foden’s Youth Band,

National Children’s Orchestra, and

School of Sound Recording (SSR).

Creative Project

In year 4 you devise and

organise your own creative project,

guided by professional musician

mentors. Examples of past creative

projects include: organising and

promoting concerts, masterclasses

and workshops; commissioning

new works; Music for Health

workshops; an opera gala; and

composition and arranging

for student-led ensembles.

Small Group Tuition

The programme’s focus on small

group tuition will develop your

knowledge and capacity to talk

from an informed perspective

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS (BMUS)

THE BACHELOR OF MUSIC PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON THE CORE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR MUSICIANS IN TODAY’S MUSIC INDUSTRY, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH THE BEST EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS WITHIN A RAPIDLY-CHANGING SECTOR.

Application Fact File:

BMUS (HONS)Duration Four years◊

Mode Full-time

Credits 480

UCAS Conservatoires code 300F

Application deadline 1 October 2017

For entry in September 2018

For information on how to apply and

entry requirements see pages 118- 127

◊ 3-year intensive pathway for

outstanding applicants

105

about composers and repertoire,

and hone your critical thinking

skills in areas such as music theory,

musicianship training, performance

studies, and music and culture.

You will also develop your

intellectual, musical, interpretative

and analytical skills through

studying areas of specialism of your

choosing, taught by world-leading

researchers in their respective fields.

Example topics in year 3

and 4 include:

• Aesthetics of Film Music

• Composition and Performance

• Music Psychology

• Metal

• Beethoven’s Music for Solo

Piano

• Song Cycles

• Music and Gender

• Music Under the Third Reich

Navigating the Music Industry

All students receive expert tuition in

conducting, recording and editing,

website design, teaching skills

and musicians’ health, providing

industry-relevant skills. Training

in entrepreneurship, including

copyright law, tax, and accounting

for freelance musicians, is delivered

by experienced RNCM staff and

visiting experts, who bring the latest

industry insight and expertise.

Additional Opportunities

• Exchange: You will have the

opportunity to study abroad for

a term or full academic year in

year 3 of the BMus programme.

We currently have partnership

links with institutions across

Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada,

South America and the USA.

• Additional qualifications: You

will be offered opportunities to

work towards other externally-

recognised qualifications,

including the ABRSM’s

Licentiate of the Royal Schools

of Music (LRSM), Fellowship

of the Royal Schools of Music

(FRSM), and the ABRSM

Certificate of Teaching

(CTABRSM), at reduced cost.

These qualifications will give

you additional accreditation

when you graduate and are

very important to enhance

your employability.

3-Year Intensive Pathway

The College offers, for

outstanding candidates, a

three-year pathway through the

BMus (Hons) course. Normally,

ten places will be available to

applicants who can demonstrate

outstanding academic and

practical ability, as well as

exceptional maturity, at

audition and interview.

The three-year pathway is

also intended to enable such

exceptional students to be

able to apply for, and progress

to, the one-year MMus at the

College, and so potentially enter

the profession after four years

of conservatoire level training,

rather than the usual five or

six. Exchange opportunities are

available to students pursuing

the three-year pathway.

rncm.ac.uk/bmus

106

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS (BMUS)STAFFVice-Principal (Academic)

Dr Martin Harlow BA, MPhil, PhD, Dip.NCOS,

FRNCM, ARCM

Head of Undergraduate Programmes

Dr Lois Fitch BA (Hons), PhD

Assistant Head of Undergraduate Programmes

Dr Michelle Phillips BA (Hons), MA, PhD

Head of Creative and Professional Practice

Kate Buchanan BMus, FHEA

Fellow in Creative and Professional Practice

Hannah McCabe BMus (Hons), MMus

Associate Director of Research

Professor Jane Ginsborg PhD, BA, BA, DipGSMD,

C.Psychol., AFBPsS, FHEA

Head of the Graduate School

Dr Fabrice Fitch MMus, Premier Prix de

Composition, PhD

Assistant Head of the Graduate School

Dr David Horne BMus, PhD

Head of Music Education

Dr John Habron BA, MA, PhD, MA, FHEA

Teaching Fellows in Historical Performance

Harvey Davies GRNCM


Tutors

Dr Colin Beeson BMus (Hons), PhD, FRNCM

Steve Berry FHEA

Dr Simon Clarke BMus, MMus, MPhil, PhD

Dr Cheryll Duncan BMus, MA Music, MA Psych,

PhD, PGCE, Ad.Dip. Couns., HonRNCM

Dr Larry Goves BMus, MPhil, PhD

Gethin Griffith BMus (Hons), PGDipRNCM,

PGCertPAE, FHEA

Eileen Guppy MA, GCLCM, ARCM, LRAM, LGSM


Professor Douglas Jarman

Dr Simon Parkin ARCM, GRNCM, MusB, PhD

Dr Helen Seddon-Gray MusB (Hons), GRNCM,

MusM (Hons), PhD

Peter Syrus BA, BPhil, ATCL

Dr Jacob Thompson-Bell PhD

Dr David Vickers BA (Hons), MMus, PhD

Dr Nina Whiteman BA (Hons), MusM, PhD

Dr Karen Wise BA, MBPsS, PGDip, PhD, FHEA

Dr Kris Worsley PhD

English Language Learning Support Tutor

Dr Jean Ammar FHEA, BA (Hons), Cert Ed, Dip Ed

(TESOL), MEd. (TESOL), MA (History), PhD, Dip

Management

Learning Support Tutor

Dr Cheryll Duncan BMus, MA Music, MA Psych,

PhD, PGCE, Ad.Dip. Couns., HonRNCM

E-Learning Coordinator

Peter Stacey BSc, MMedSci, PgCert

107

rncm.ac.uk/bmus

MY PRINCIPAL STUDY TUTOR IS FANTASTIC. SHE’S GIVEN ME A FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MUSIC AND ITS MEANING, SO I CAN EXPRESS THAT THROUGH MY PLAYING. I ALSO REALLY LIKE THAT YOU HAVE FULL SUPPORT FROM THE RNCM WITH YOUR INTERESTS. FOR MY INDEPENDENT PROJECT I IMPROVISED A LIVE PIANO SCORE ALONG TO A CHARLIE CHAPLIN FILM. WE RECENTLY HAD A VERY INSPIRING SALSA MASTERCLASS AND I’M PLAYING IN A SALSA BAND IN DAY OF PERCUSSION. ALL THIS GREAT STUFF THAT I WANT TO DO IN MY LIFE, I GET TO DO HERE.

LEIF KANER-LIDSTROMBMUS (HONS) PIANO

108

The programme provides intensive

training for instrumentalists

and singers with a high level of

performing ability who intend

to work as freelance musicians,

bands and artists in the popular

music industry, or as a preparation

for postgraduate study.

The curriculum seeks to develop

your musical identity through

creative composition, production

and performance-based modules

that enable you to be not only a

high-quality performer, but also

an original artist in your own right.

We view all of our students as

professional musicians from the

outset, and actively encourage and

support you in establishing your

career alongside your studies.

The course comprises of 480

credits over four years, with half

of the programme dedicated to

developing skills in the Principal

Study instrument/voice. In addition

to the rigorous instrumental/vocal

teaching, the programme also

develops academic and creative

skills, and cultivates business

acumen and entrepreneurial

activity through employment and

employability training. The course

is delivered at the RNCM, Blueprint

Studios and Lever Street Studios.

Students work with teaching staff

who are high standard academics

and active professionals in the

music industry, working as session

musicians, producers, songwriters,

recording artists, composers,

musical directors, writers, managers,

promoters and performers.

You will benefit from the

invaluable expertise of a team

of Visiting Tutors who have a

wealth of industry experience

working with renowned singers

and bands including Adele, CeeLo

Green, Incognito, Jamiroquai,

Al Jarreau, James Morrison,

One Direction, Simply Red, Sting,

Take That, Amy Winehouse

and Steve Winwood.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS IN POPULAR MUSIC POPULAR MUSIC IS A CONTEMPORARY ART FORM THAT IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, AND OUR CURRICULUM REFLECTS THIS. WE EMBRACE INNOVATION, DIVERSITY AND CHANGE, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY A MULTIPLICITY OF MUSICAL STYLES ENABLING YOU TO REDEFINE THE FUTURE OF THE GENRE.


BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS IN POPULAR MUSIC

Duration Four years

Mode Full-time

Credits 480






Principal Study available in:

VOCALSPIANO/KEYBOARD

GUITARBASS GUITAR

DRUM KIT

Popular Music enquiries:

[email protected]

Admissions/course enquiries:

[email protected]

109

rncm.ac.uk/popularmusic

JOOLS HOLLANDAS A MUSIC ARTIST WHO REGULARLY EMPLOYS FREELANCE MUSICIANS, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS COURSE AS IT GIVES A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS TO GET THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO WORK IN THIS ROLE.

110

Principal Study (160 credits)

Principal Study is at the core

of your training and focuses on

enabling you to realise your true

potential both technically and

creatively on your instrument/

voice through individual tuition

with some of the world’s leading

teachers. You will learn how to

critically evaluate and perform a

broad range of repertoire, inspiring a

cultural connection between historic,

contemporary and progressive

material, and will be encouraged

to develop your own musical voice

through the composition and

performance of original material. You

will also learn how to integrate music

technology into live performance,

and in the final year will have the

opportunity to devise, produce

and realise a public final recital..

Ensemble Performance

(60 credits)

Ensemble Performance focuses on

the development of a technical

and critical understanding of

the role of your instrument/

voice within a range of musical

environments and styles. You will

gain skills in effective ensemble

rehearsal techniques, and will

learn how to integrate music

technology into performance

within a range of live and studio

performance situations. You will

work with a number of different

musicians from across the College

throughout the first half of the

programme, before creating

your own ensemble project in

year 3. You will also have the

opportunity to perform in the

Northern Session festivals and live

recordings, both at the RNCM and

at venues across Manchester.

Musicianship (60 credits)

Musicianship underpins your

technical and practical skills

development and establishes a

theoretical understanding of key

musical components through creative

improvisation-based performance.

You will develop your musical literacy

to a professional level, enabling you

to employ your theoretical, aural,

and improvisation skills across a

range of musical settings. You will

also have the opportunity to apply

these skills to original work in the

Artist and Repertoire and other

optional modules.

Artist and Repertoire

(60 credits)

Artist and Repertoire focuses on

artist development, both in terms of

creative practice and entrepreneurial

activity. You will compose original

music and develop the skills

required to promote yourself and

your music to a broad audience.

You will study songwriting through

the analysis of established and

emerging repertoire, and will

produce a portfolio of original work.

You will also develop a knowledge

and understanding, through

research and academic study, of

the music industry and business

practice in the context of you as a

professional performer and artist,

enabling you to begin your career in

conjunction with, and informed by,

your studies.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS IN POPULAR MUSIC

111

Original Ensembles Project

(40 credits)

The Original Ensembles Project

follows on in year 3 from the

Ensemble Performance modules

studied in years 1 and 2, and allows

you to specialise further in areas of

research and creative practice that

will form the basis of a professional

career. In this self-devised project,

you will build your own ensemble,

compose original material,

rehearse and record to professional

standards, and give live showcase

performances in professional venues

in Manchester and across the UK.

Professional Engagement

(60 credits)

Working with our industry partners

and partner institutions, Professional

Engagement is designed to allow you

to experience life as a professional

freelance musician, band or artist,

before returning to the College

to reflect, plan and realise your

individual and collective goals as

you graduate from the programme.

The engagement takes place in the

first semester of your final year, and

provides you with the opportunity to

gain valuable experience and make

influential contacts that will pave the

way into your career as a full-time

professional musician. Opportunities

include work and study abroad as

well as within the UK.

Optional Modules (40 credits)

The optional modules are designed

to allow you the opportunity to

tailor your studies according to your

areas of interest, and to specialise

in areas that will best complement

your artistic and academic goals.

The options are contemporary and

relevant to today’s music industry,

and are available to students

from all RNCM Schools of Study,

actively encouraging cross-school

collaboration. The modules have

been designed to promote a

collegiate approach in areas with

strong crossover potential, including

Musical Theatre, Film Music,

Composing for Media, Recording

and Production, and Music

Education.

Graduate Destinations

Graduates from the Popular Music

degree have gone on to secure work

with major recording artists on live

tours, festivals, radio and television,

and have gained employment in West

End musical theatre shows, function

bands and cruise ships. They are also

active in their own original projects,

with a large number releasing their

own albums and touring in live shows.


Head of Popular Music

Andy Stott BA, MA, PGCE, SFHEA

Deputy Head of Popular Music

Dr Rodrigo Constanzo BMus, MMus, PhD

International Artists in Popular Music

Snarky Puppy

Senior Lecturer

Katie Chatburn BMus, MMus, PGCE, LRAM

Senior Lecturer – MMus Popular Music

Coordinator

Dr Mauricio Pauly MusB, MusM, PhD

Professional Engagements Coordinator,

Northern Quarter Records Manager

Ben Cottrell BMus, GRNCM

Visiting Tutors in Vocals

Tommie Blaize (Incognito/Take That)

Kim Chandler (Bee Gees/Neil Diamond)

Anni Williams (Al Jarreau/CeeLo Green)

Tutors in Vocals

Nicki Allan BA, PGCE

Jenn Clempner BA, MA

Hannah McGuigan BMus

Tutor in Vocals, Musicianship Tutor

Audrey Lawrence-Mattis BMus

Visiting Tutors in Bass Guitar

Yolanda Charles (Paul Weller/Robbie Williams)

Stefan Redtenbacher (Amy Winehouse/Mica Paris)

Paul Turner (Jamiroquai/Sister Sledge)

Tutors in Bass Guitar

Ollie Collins BA

Simon Goulding

Richard Hammond BA, MA

Tutor in Bass Guitar, Tutor in Composition,

Ensembles Project Supervisor

Jasper Wilkinson BA

Visiting Tutors in Drums

Elliott Henshaw (Jersey Boys/Wicked)

Ash Soan (Adele/James Morrison)

Tutors in Drums

Luke Flowers

Bryan Hargreaves BA

Drum Tutor, Musicianship Tutor

Dave Hassell ARAM

Visiting Tutors in Guitar

Rob Harris (Jamiroquai/Kylie Minogue)

Mike Walker (The Impossible Gentlemen)

Dominic Miller (Sting/Phil Collins)

Tutors in Guitar

Johnny Heyes BA

Stuart McCallum BA, MA

Visiting Tutors in Keyboard

Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy)

Jason Rebello (Sting/Chaka Khan)

Luke Smith (George Michael/Eric Clapton)

Tutors in Keyboard

Andy Hickey BA, Cert Ed

Johnni Musgrave BA

112

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS IN POPULAR MUSIC STAFF

OLIVIA THOMPSONBMUS (HONS) BASS GUITARI’VE PROGRESSED SO MUCH IN THE TWO MONTHS I’VE BEEN HERE! I’M ABLE TO PLAY TECHNICAL BASS SOLOS THAT I COULDN’T EVEN ATTEMPT BEFORE COMING ON THE PROGRAMME. IT’S COMPETITIVE, BUT IN A GOOD WAY; YOU HAVE LOTS OF TALENTED PEOPLE AROUND YOU, LOTS OF HELP AND ADVICE, AND IT PUSHES YOU TO BE BETTER! A HIGHLIGHT WAS A MASTERCLASS WITH BASSIST SCOTT DEVINE – I’VE WATCHED HIS ONLINE LESSONS FOR FIVE YEARS. HE WAS TELLING US THE BEST PATHS TO TAKE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL, WHICH WAS AMAZING AND SO INSPIRATIONAL!

113


Keyboard Tutor, Composition Tutor,

Ensembles Project Supervisor

Matt Steele BA, MA

Visiting Tutor in Musical Direction

Steve Sidwell (BBC Concert Orchestra)

Tutor in Musical Direction

Jon Shone BA

Visiting Tutor in Composition

Patrice Rushen (Stevie Wonder/

Quincy Jones)

Visiting Tutors in Music Industry

Fred Bolza (Vice President Strategy

Sony BMG)

Dr Pete Waterman OBE (Producer)

Tutor/Supervisor – Ensembles

Performance

Alex Dee BA, PGCE

Tutor in Musicianship

Dr Sabrina Schroeder BMus, MA, PhD

114

GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF THE RNCM/BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS (THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER)


GRNCM/MUSB (HONS) Duration Four years

Mode Full-time

Credits 480






115

Programme Structure

‘Joint Course’ students undertake

two distinct programmes alongside

one another: the Graduate Diploma

of the RNCM (GRNCM) and the

Bachelor of Music degree (MusB)

of The University of Manchester.

Your study will comprise the entire

MusB programme at the University

and two strands of the Bachelor of

Music programme at the RNCM.

In the first three years, both

programmes are studied

concurrently, with the fourth

year spent solely at the RNCM.

What You Will Undertake at

the RNCM (GRNCM): Years 1-4

The GRNCM builds on your ability

as a performer or composer and

consists of two key areas: Principal

Study in Performance/Composition,

and Artist Development. All

performance tuition, coaching,

chamber ensembles and most

orchestral playing opportunities are

provided by the RNCM throughout

the four years.

What You Will Undertake at

The University of Manchester

(MusB): Years 1-3

The MusB (Hons) of the University

of Manchester complements this

study with scholarly practical

education: it is a highly regarded

degree programme involving

the interrelated study of musical

performance, composition

and musicology.

Full details of the MusB (Hons)

programme are available on The

University of Manchester website:

www.manchester.ac.uk/rncm

Shortlisting and Audition

Requirements

Applicants should apply online

via UCAS Conservatoires, and

submit a short video recording

of at least two contrasting pieces

(maximum 15 minutes) for the

purposes of shortlisting.

Approximately 20 applicants are

shortlisted for audition at the RNCM

and interviewed at the University in

November/December. Composers’

portfolios are assessed by a panel,

with selected candidates being called

for an audition and interview.

All applicants are automatically

considered for a place on the

RNCM BMus.

Exchange Opportunity

You can broaden your horizons by

studying abroad for one term of

your fourth year. We currently have

partnership links with institutions

across Europe, Asia, Australia,

Canada, South America and the USA.

GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF THE RNCM/BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONOURS (THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER)

rncm.ac.uk/grncm

THIS PROGRAMME, INFORMALLY KNOWN AS THE ‘JOINT COURSE’, OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WITH OUTSTANDING PRACTICAL AND ACADEMIC ABILITY TO GAIN THE ADVANTAGE OF SIMULTANEOUS STUDY AT BOTH A WORLD-CLASS CONSERVATOIRE AND A LEADING UNIVERSITY.

116

I WANTED TO KEEP MY OPTIONS OPEN, AND I GET UNIVERSITY AND CONSERVATOIREOPPORTUNITIES ALL IN ONE PROGRAMME. IN MY TRUMPET PLAYING, I CERTAINLY WOULDN’T HAVETHE TECHNIQUE THAT I DO IF I WASN’T AT THE RNCM, BUT STUDYING ANALYSIS AT THE UNIVERSITYREALLY INFORMS MY PLAYING. BALANCING TWO PROGRAMMES IS CHALLENGING, BUT GIVES YOU SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD. YOU CAN GET STUCK INTO LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS,FIND OUT WHAT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN AND GEAR YOUR STUDIES TOWARDS THAT.

ILLIAM QUANE GRNCM/MUSB TRUMPET

117

rncm.ac.uk/grncm

119

NEXT STEPS

120 HOW TO APPLY

121 KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

122 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

125 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

126 RNCM AUDITIONS

128 MONEY MATTERS

130 PLANNING AHEAD: DRAWING UP A STUDENT BUDGET

131 KEY DATES AND USEFUL CONTACTS

132 HOW TO FIND THE RNCM

120

HOW TO APPLY

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Pre-Application Stage

We recommend that you research your conservatoire

and programme options early, and encourage you to

come and visit us where possible.

RNCM Open Days

You can find out more about the RNCM student

experience by coming along to one of our Open

Days, which take place in spring and autumn each

year. Full details are available on our website at

www.rncm.ac.uk/openday.

Apply for an Advice Audition

If you want to get a better idea of whether the

RNCM is the right place for you, you can apply for

an Advice Audition. These auditions cost £70 and

usually take place between January and June by

appointment only. £30 of the Advice Audition fee will

be refunded if you apply for an entry audition within

12 months. To request an application form, please

email Admissions on [email protected]

Check the Entrance and Audition Requirements

Before making an application, please make sure that

you check the entrance and audition requirements

for your chosen programme of study. Please see

pages 122 – 127 for current guidance on 2018 entry.

Please note that this is subject to change each year;

applicants should visit the RNCM website for the

latest information.

MAKING AN APPLICATION

Apply via UCAS Conservatoires

Applications for September 2018 entry open in July

2017 via the UCAS Conservatoires website:

www.ucas.com/conservatoires

Through UCAS Conservatoires, you will be able

to track the progress of your application, pay your

audition fee, accept offers and confirm decisions

online. Please see page 126 for details of

audition fees.

When completing your application you may

need the following information:

• The RNCM institution code (R57)

• Course codes, which can be found on the

relevant programme pages and on the

UCAS Conservatoires website.

Submission of Supporting Documents

As well as your UCAS Conservatoires application,

applicants are required to submit documents in

support of your application (e.g. referee details,

copies of qualifications, and videos where applicable).

Supporting documents should be submitted online

via an applicant document management system

called Decision Desk. Your documents can then be

viewed by RNCM Admissions staff in conjunction

with your UCAS Conservatoires application. There

is no fee payable for using Decision Desk. Referees

will be contacted automatically by Decision Desk to

submit references – these should no longer be sent

to the admissions department.

121

Application Deadline: UK and EU applicants

The deadline for on-time UK/EU applications for

2018 entry is 1 October 2017. Late applications may

be considered, subject to the availability of places.

International Applications

We accept applications from international students

throughout the year. We would recommend that you

submit your application by 1 October 2017 for entry

in September 2018 where possible. Applications are

made online via UCAS Conservatoires. International

applicants can audition by recording, which should

be uploaded to your Decision Desk account.

If you have any problems or need any additional

support when completing your application, please

contact RNCM Admissions on [email protected]

English Language Requirements

For applicants who are not from a UK Visas and

Immigration (UKVI) designated majority-English

speaking country, an English Language requirement

has to be fulfilled, normally by 1 April in the year

prior to entry. This will be a qualification recognised

as equivalent to CEFR B2, e.g. IELTS 5.5 with no

less than 5.5 in any skill. The Common European

Framework of Reference (CEFR) provides a basis for

the mutual recognition of language qualifications.

For a list of accepted English Language qualifications

under the CEFR, please visit the UK Government

website: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/

knowledge-of-english

International Agents and Ambassadors

International students may seek further advice

on applying to the RNCM through our network

of international agents and ambassadors.

Further information is available at:

www.rncm.ac.uk/international

rncm.ac.uk/howtoapply

KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2 May 2017 RNCM Spring Open Day

July 2017 UCAS Conservatoires opens for applications

26 September 2017 RNCM Autumn Open Day

1 October 2017 Deadline for on-time applications through UCAS Conservatoires

November – December 2017 Main RNCM audition period

Late December 2017 Notification of your audition outcome

January 2018 Offer Holders’ Events

31 January 2018 Advisory date for you to reply to your offer, where your offer

was received before 7 January

DECISION DESK 2018 ENTRYTHE DECISION DESK WEBSITE FOR RNCM 2018 ENTRY APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN JULY 2017. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO MAKE YOUR UCAS CONSERVATOIRES APPLICATION, PLEASE VISIT THE RNCM WEBSITE TO ACCESS THE 2018 ENTRY DECISION DESK WEBLINK: WWW.RNCM.AC.UK/HOWTOAPPLY

122

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Programme Duration UCAS Conservatoires code

Audition Requirements Academic Requirements Additional Requirements

English Language Requirement*

Bachelor of Music

with Honours

4 years

full-time

300F A successful audition in the year prior

to entry, demonstrating a high standard

of performance (composition ability for

composers) and potential, of at least

ABRSM Grade 8 standard.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) or equivalent in two

subjects at grade E or above, normally including Music.

• Passes in three different subjects at GCSE level

(grades A*-C) or equivalent.

Applicants should be at

least 18 years of age on

31 December in the year

of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Bachelor of Music

with Honours

3-year

intensive

pathway

300F

Applicants for the 3-year

pathway should apply

for the standard 4-year

BMus (Hons) on UCAS

Conservatoires

A successful audition in the year prior



composers) at the standard of Diploma

in Music Performance of the ABRSM

(DipABRSM), or a Level 4 equivalent.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) or equivalent in at least three

different subjects, normally including Music, at grades AAB.

• Pass in the Diploma in Music Performance of the ABRSM

(DipABRSM), or a Level 4 equivalent, normally in the

Principal Study instrument. This must be achieved either

by 30 April prior to September entry to the programme, or

by means of the annual special DipABRSM examination

held at the RNCM (normally April/May with results

in June).




of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Bachelor of Music

with Honours:

Popular Music

4 years

full-time


to entry, demonstrating a high level of

performing ability – equivalent to at least

ABRSM/Rockschool/Trinity Grade 8 standard.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) in two subjects, or a

Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification,

or a National Diploma in a music-related subject, or

international equivalent.

• Four passes (A*–C) at GCSE including Maths and English

• Pass at ABRSM Grade 5 theory.




of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Graduate Diploma of

the Royal Northern

College of Music/

Bachelor of Music

(Hons) The University

of Manchester

4 years

full-time

399F A successful audition by RNCM staff in

the year prior to entry, demonstrating a

high standard of performance/composition

ability and potential, of at least ABRSM

Grade 8 standard.

Applicants must meet the detailed academic and language

entry requirements* of The University of Manchester MusB

(AAA at GCE A Level including Music, ABRSM Grade 8

pass). Please check The University of Manchester

website for details.

• Applicants should

normally be 18 years of

age by 31 December in

the year of entry .

• A successful interview

by The University of

Manchester.

Entrance is highly

competitive and applicants

will normally demonstrate

a record of practical and

academic excellence.

• IELTS 7.0 or

equivalent, with at

least 5.5 in each and

every component.

Please check

The University of

Manchester website

for details.

• You will need to

provide proof of

your IELTS score or

equivalent before

1 April 2018.

Candidates with Scottish, Irish or other equivalent qualifications should contact Admissions on +44 (0) 161 9075 210/465 For full audition information and entrance requirements please visit www.rncm.ac.uk/howtoapply

*Non-native English speakers only

123


Programme Duration UCAS Conservatoires code

Audition Requirements Academic Requirements Additional Requirements

English Language Requirement*

Bachelor of Music

with Honours

4 years

full-time




composers) and potential, of at least

ABRSM Grade 8 standard.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) or equivalent in two

subjects at grade E or above, normally including Music.

• Passes in three different subjects at GCSE level

(grades A*-C) or equivalent.




of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Bachelor of Music

with Honours

3-year

intensive

pathway

300F

Applicants for the 3-year

pathway should apply

for the standard 4-year

BMus (Hons) on UCAS

Conservatoires

A successful audition in the year prior



composers) at the standard of Diploma

in Music Performance of the ABRSM

(DipABRSM), or a Level 4 equivalent.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) or equivalent in at least three

different subjects, normally including Music, at grades AAB.

• Pass in the Diploma in Music Performance of the ABRSM

(DipABRSM), or a Level 4 equivalent, normally in the

Principal Study instrument. This must be achieved either

by 30 April prior to September entry to the programme, or

by means of the annual special DipABRSM examination

held at the RNCM (normally April/May with results

in June).




of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Bachelor of Music

with Honours:

Popular Music

4 years

full-time


to entry, demonstrating a high level of

performing ability – equivalent to at least

ABRSM/Rockschool/Trinity Grade 8 standard.

• Passes at GCE A level (A2) in two subjects, or a

Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification,

or a National Diploma in a music-related subject, or

international equivalent.

• Four passes (A*–C) at GCSE including Maths and English

• Pass at ABRSM Grade 5 theory.




of entry.

IELTS 5.5 or

equivalent in each

and every component

(or CEFR B2).

Graduate Diploma of

the Royal Northern

College of Music/

Bachelor of Music

(Hons) The University

of Manchester

4 years

full-time

399F A successful audition by RNCM staff in

the year prior to entry, demonstrating a

high standard of performance/composition

ability and potential, of at least ABRSM

Grade 8 standard.

Applicants must meet the detailed academic and language

entry requirements* of The University of Manchester MusB

(AAA at GCE A Level including Music, ABRSM Grade 8

pass). Please check The University of Manchester

website for details.

• Applicants should

normally be 18 years of

age by 31 December in

the year of entry .

• A successful interview

by The University of

Manchester.

Entrance is highly

competitive and applicants

will normally demonstrate

a record of practical and

academic excellence.

• IELTS 7.0 or

equivalent, with at

least 5.5 in each and

every component.

Please check

The University of

Manchester website

for details.

• You will need to

provide proof of

your IELTS score or

equivalent before

1 April 2018.

Candidates with Scottish, Irish or other equivalent qualifications should contact Admissions on +44 (0) 161 9075 210/465 For full audition information and entrance requirements please visit www.rncm.ac.uk/howtoapply

*Non-native English speakers only

124

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

International Applicants

• Applicants with international qualifications

must demonstrate the successful completion

of university-entry level education.

• International applicants will require confirmation

that you have adequate funding to cover course

fees and living expenses.

• All teaching at the RNCM is carried out in English.

If English is not your first language, you need to

have sufficient fluency in both written and

spoken English.

• Pre-sessional English language course: If English

is not your first language, we can provide you with

further support through our pre-sessional English

course. The course is aimed at students who have

received an offer of a place to study at the RNCM

but whose level of language falls marginally below

the entry requirements for their course. The course

usually starts in mid-July and will last for six weeks.

It will improve your listening, speaking, reading

and writing skills. The course also provides an

introduction to the UK and British culture. The

entry requirement for this pre-sessional course for

the BMus (Hons) is IELTS 5.0 or equivalent with

no component below CEFR B1, as specified by the

UK Border Agency. For more information please

contact [email protected].

125

I haven’t taken A level Music, can I still apply?

Yes you can apply without an A level in Music,

although we would highly recommend that you take it.

Do I need to have achieved ABRSM Grade 8 in

both my instrument and theory to get a place?

Not necessarily. You can apply and audition without

having obtained Grade 8. However, as a general

guide, applicants are normally expected to have

reached Grade 8 standard in their performance.

I’m unsure if I’m of the right standard to

audition at the RNCM, or if I want to study at a

conservatoire. Are there opportunities to come to

the College to see if it is right for me?

Yes. If you want to get a better idea of whether the

RNCM is right for you, you can come along for an

Advice Audition. Advice Auditions are normally only

available during January – June, and the current

fee is £70 (£30 of which is refunded if you apply for

an entry audition within 12 months). Please contact

[email protected] to request an application

form. For a more informal visit, you can attend an

Open Day where you can meet RNCM staff and

students, and listen to a student concert. Visit

www.rncm.ac.uk/openday for information.

Can I apply for two Principal Study

areas/two instruments?

Joint Principal Study is not offered on any of

the RNCM courses. You will concentrate on one

instrument or Principal Study area during your

course. If you would like to be considered for two

instruments or Principal Study areas, you will need

to make two separate applications and pay two

audition fees on UCAS Conservatoires.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

All applicants are automatically considered for an

entrance award/scholarship. You do not need to

apply for one.

How do I apply for accommodation?

RNCM students can opt to live in Sir Charles Groves

Hall of Residence. The Hall is owned and managed

by Liberty Living. If you are made and accept an

offer of a place at the RNCM, your details will

automatically be forwarded to Liberty Living so

that a room can be allocated for you. If you do not

wish to live in Halls then you can make your own

arrangements with a private provider. Please note

that places in Halls are only guaranteed to those

who apply by the 1 October deadline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WE’VE COMPILED SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED ADMISSIONS-RELATED QUESTIONS FROM PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS BELOW.


126

RNCM AUDITIONS

UK-based applicants will be invited to attend an

audition at the RNCM, which usually takes place in

November to December each year. For most courses,

you will need to pay an audition fee online through

the UCAS Conservatoires website.

International Applicants

If you are based outside of the UK and are unable

to audition in person at the RNCM, you will need

to submit a good-quality video recording of your

audition pieces via Decision Desk (see page 121 for

details), or attend an overseas live audition.

Each year, the RNCM holds overseas auditions in

selected countries. Details of overseas audition dates

and venues are posted on our website:

www.rncm.ac.uk/international

Audition Fees

The audition fee for 2018 entry for all our undergraduate

programmes (single instrument) is £65. Late

applicants will be charged an additional fee of £10.

Overseas live audition fees may differ.

Notification of Audition Details

You will be notified of your audition date via the UCAS

Conservatoires Track system. The format of auditions

will vary according to Principal Study School, but

generally you will be expected to prepare up to three

pieces, contrasting in both period and style.

As a guide, you can view the current

audition requirements on the website:

www.rncm.ac.uk/auditions, but please note that

these requirements are subject to change each year;

you will be notified of your audition requirements

ahead of your audition. If you have a disability for which

special provision may be needed before or during your

audition, please contact [email protected]

Audition Day

The audition is a competitive process and demand

for places is very high. The minimum standard is

Grade 8 equivalent, but a higher level may need to be

demonstrated in the audition in order to be successful.

Instrumentalists/Singers: The panel will be looking

for your potential at audition, not a completed artist.

You should think about engaging the panel by

keeping your performance fresh, with a wide range

of mood and colour in your playing, and showing

an understanding of today’s music profession. An

accompanist will be provided as appropriate.

Composers: You will be invited to attend an

interview, where you will also be asked to talk about

your musical background, work and study aims, as

well as to discuss your portfolio.

Applicants may be required to undertake additional

elements to their audition e.g. sight-reading/singing

and/or a theory test. All applicants will be informed

of the requirements in advance of their audition.

WE WANT THE APPLICATION AND AUDITION PROCESS TO BE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OUR APPLICANTS. HERE WE WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR RNCM AUDITION.

127

Assessment of Academic Ability

You will also be assessed on your ability to

successfully complete the academic requirements of

the course primarily on the basis of your educational

record and academic references. Some applicants

may be asked to provide recent authenticated

examples of their own work in history of music and

theory, or take a short written test, or both. At least

two weeks’ notice will be given in such cases.

Undergraduates will have to take an online test

on the audition day. All offers are contingent

on appropriate academic achievement.

Notification of Audition Results

You will receive notification of the result of your

audition via the UCAS Conservatoires Track system

by the end of December 2017. If you are offered a

guaranteed place, you will also receive an offer letter

by post. If you are successful at audition and offered

a place, you are advised to confirm acceptance by

31 January 2018. Offer holders will be given the

opportunity to re-visit the College in January to

meet with staff and students to help answer any

questions you may have about studying at the

RNCM. Details will be provided with your offer letter.

Audition Tips

• Do your best to perform and show the audition

panel who you really are. Remember that the

panel want you to do well.

• Prepare well to show yourself at your best, but

do not worry if you make mistakes – the panel

can tell the difference between something which

has been well learnt with the occasional slip, and

something which is not prepared.

• Practise walking into rooms and greeting people

in a confident manner – this will help you feel at

ease. If you have not practised doing this, you

might find it less easy.

• If you have questions for the panel, it might help

to write them down – it’s easy to forget them in

the audition.

• Dress comfortably, including footwear.

• Rehearsal time with your pianist is very short,

so make sure you know exactly want you want

to do – tempo/cuts/cadenzas etc.

USEFUL CONTACTS Admissions/application enquiries [email protected]

Enquiries from international students [email protected]

UK Government Information on Tier 4 Student Visas www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php

(Visas and Immigration Information)

rncm.ac.uk/auditions

128

MONEY MATTERS

Fees and Finance

The RNCM charges tuition fees to all students

for each year of study. Fees for all UK and EU

undergraduates are regulated by the UK government.

For current fees please visit www.rncm.ac.uk/fees

Tuition Fee Status

To determine the status of students for fees purposes, the

RNCM follows regulations issued by the UK Government.

Broadly, in order to qualify for UK and EU status, you

must have lived continuously in the UK or other EU

country for purposes other than full-time education for at

least three years prior to September of the year in which

the course starts. If you do not qualify for UK and EU

status, you will be enrolled as an international student.

Equivalent and Lower Qualifications

According to UK Government policy, UK and EU

students who are studying for a qualification which is

at a level equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification

which they have already gained, are not eligible for

funding from the Higher Education Funding Council.

You may therefore be charged the full international

student tuition fee for your course of study.

Payment of Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are payable prior to registration at the start

of the academic year. For UK and EU students, the

fee will normally be paid directly through the Student

Loans Company (SLC), or the Student Awards Agency

for Scotland (SAAS). You will need to provide proof of

this at enrolment. For students paying fees themselves,

it may be possible to pay by instalments. Students from

outside the UK must pay fees in Pounds Sterling. Any

bank charges incurred must be paid by the student.

Financial Support for International Students

There are a number of organisations to which

international students can apply for financial support.

A good place to start is the ‘Funding your studies’

section of the British Council website:

www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-create/

practicalities/funding-studies

Financial Support for UK and EU Students

UK students may be eligible for the following support:

• Student loan to cover tuition fees in full.

• Maintenance loans and/or grants to help with

accommodation and living costs.

• Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant which is

assessed on a sliding scale, dependent upon household

income. The Maintenance Grant may reduce the

entitlement to the repayable maintenance loan. The

Special Support Grant is available to students in receipt

of means-tested benefits and is assessed on the same

basis as the Maintenance Grant, however, it does not

reduce the entitlement to the maintenance loan.

• UK students with disabilities can also apply for Disabled

Students Allowance for some types of condition.

• Possibility of support from the College.

THIS SECTION WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COST OF STUDYING AT THE RNCM.

129

• Hardship Fund for UK students with very limited

means, or for UK students who experience

unexpected financial difficulties.

• EU students can apply for a fee loan to cover

fees in full.

• For UK and EU students receiving a fee loan there

is no payment of a fee to the College, the loan is

paid back through the tax system after graduation.

Please visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

to access further information on financial support

for students.

RNCM Scholarships

Scholarship Awards are offered to applicants who

demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at

audition. You do not need to make a separate application.

RNCM Bursaries for UK and

EU Undergraduate Students

The RNCM may provide bursaries of up to £1,290

(based on 2015/16 figures), according to individual

students’ financial circumstances.

International Students

International students may apply for bursaries towards

the cost of fees and maintenance. These awards are

limited in number and are allocated on the basis of need

and merit. In return, students are expected to undertake

directed activities for the benefit of the College.

rncm.ac.uk/fees

130

PLANNING AHEAD: DRAWING UP A STUDENT BUDGET

Money Matters

Before you start at the College, it is a good idea

to consider your budget and to draw up a plan.

Manchester is a student-oriented city which means

there are plenty of accommodation options and stores

to cater for all tastes and budgets. Many retailers offer

a student discount, and student deals and offers

are available on a range of services. It’s wise to shop

around to get the best deal. Here are a few tips to help

keep costs down and to make your money go further.

Travel

• Find accommodation in walking distance from

College; Sir Charles Groves Hall is just next door.

If you choose to live further out, to save on travel

costs you may want to buy an annual pass with a

student discount, or cycle into College.

• Get a 16-25 Railcard to save 1/3 on train fares.

Food

• Prepare food at home or take advantage of meal

packages and/or student discounts available at

the College’s Café.

• Share food costs with your flatmates – buying

in bulk is cheaper – and buy shops’ own brands

instead of branded products.

Music Scores and Textbooks

• Make the most of the RNCM Library; if you

can’t find what you are looking for, speak

to a member of staff.

• Buy textbooks second-hand or online.

• Grab a Student Discount Card e.g. an NUS

card – currently costs £12 a year and you get

a wide range of offers and discounts, including

in cinemas and high street stores.

• Always ask if there are any student offers/

discounts available.

• You never know what you can find in a vintage

shop! Check out the city’s Northern Quarter for

quirky and unique finds in its charity and second

hand stores.

Leisure

• Sonic Manchester allows you to go to a wide

range of live gigs for as little as £3.

• Enjoy student offers and discounts for RNCM

concerts.

• Manchester Aquatics Centre, opposite the

RNCM, offers student membership rates.

THIS SECTION WILL HELP YOU BUDGET FOR SUPPORTING YOURSELF FINANCIALLY DURING YOUR STUDIES.

131

KEY DATESAND USEFUL CONTACTS

rncm.ac.uk/termdates

OPEN DAYS Tuesday 2 May 2017

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Tuesday 17 April 2018

APPLICATION DATES FOR 2018 ENTRYUCAS Conservatoires opens for applications: June/July 2017

UCAS Conservatoires application deadline: 1 October 2017

Auditions for September 2018 entry: November – December 2017

TERM DATES 2018/19 International Student Induction: 10 – 14 September 2018

Main Induction Week: 17 – 21 September 2018

Autumn Term: 24 September – 16 December 2018

Spring Term: 7 January – 7 April 2019

Summer Term: 29 April – 7 July 2019

Term dates are subject to change; any updates will be published at www.rncm.ac.uk/term-dates

USEFUL CONTACTS Admissions Office: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 907 5210

International Office: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 907 5337

Student Finance Manager: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 907 5227

General enquiries: [email protected]

132

HOW TO FIND THE RNCM

Cardiff195 miles

313Km

London200 miles/321Km

Edinburgh216 miles/347Km

Belfast

MANCHESTER

Manchester is located at the heart of the UK,

and is easily accessible by air, road and rail.

The city is at the centre of a busy motorway

and rail network, and is home to Manchester

International Airport, which serves around 200

destinations worldwide. London is a 2-hour rail

journey away.

The RNCM is situated just 1 mile (1.6km) south of

the city centre, and is a bus or train ride away from

Manchester International Airport, and Piccadilly

and Victoria Railway Stations. Oxford Road Railway

Station is a 15-minute walk from the College.

Royal Northern College of Music

124 Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9RD

UK

Tel: +44 (0)161 907 5200

Fax: +44 (0)161 273 7611

www.rncm.ac.uk

MANCUNIAN WAY A57M

TO M602(M60)

+ M6 NORTH

TO M56+ M6 SOUTH

TO A57, A628+ M67

A5103

Metrolink

WHITWORTH ST WEST

MED

LOCK

ST

CHORLTON ST

PRINCESS ST WHITWORTH ST

CHARLES STOXFO

RD ST

OXFO

RD RD

UPPER BRO

OK ST A34

KINCARD

INE RD

HIG

HER CA

MBRID

GE ST

GROSVENOR ST

BOOTH ST WEST

BRUNSWICK ST

ARDWICK GREEN SOUTH

DENMARK ROAD

DEA

NSG

ATE

LOW

ER M

OSLEY

ST

MOSL

EY ST

PORTLAND ST

DUCIE ST

FAIRFIELD ST

LON

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SACK

VILLE ST

OXFORDRD

MANCHESTERPICCADILLY

133

The RNCM is a Higher Education Corporation under

the terms of the Education Reform Act 1988 and the

Further and Higher Education Act 1992. It receives

public funding from the Higher Education Funding

Council for England (HEFCE).

Freedom of Information and Data Protection

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information

Act 2000 and also under the provisions of the Data

Protection Act 1998, individuals have a general right

of access to information that is held by the Royal

Northern College of Music. The RNCM is committed

to openness in relation to both its staff and students

and also to the general public, and as far as possible

will provide an applicant with any information they

may request.

Safeguarding

The RNCM is committed to ensuring the safety and

welfare of children and vulnerable adults studying in

the College by raising awareness of safeguarding and

promoting a safe environment in which to learn and

explore music.

The College’s Senior Designated Person responsible

for safeguarding is Susan Baines, Vice-Principal

(Operations) who may be contacted by telephone

on +44 (0)161 907 5321 or by email

[email protected].

Our relevant policies are available to download

from the College’s safeguarding webpage

www.rncm.ac.uk/safeguarding.

Alternative Formats

If you require any of the information contained in

this prospectus in an alternative format (e.g. large

print, Braille) please email [email protected].

Commitment to Equality and Diversity

The RNCM is committed to eliminating discrimination

and encouraging diversity as an employer, higher

education provider and as a performance venue. Our

aim is that where possible our organisation will be truly

representative of all sections of society and each will

feel respected.

Our aim is to provide equality and fairness in all of

our activities, and not to discriminate on the grounds

of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage

and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race,

religion or belief, gender and sexual orientation.

We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair

discrimination.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information

in this Prospectus is correct at the time of going to

press. However, it is likely that changes will occur

during the lifetime of this publication.

Credits

Produced by RNCM Marketing and Communications.

Printed by C3 Imaging.

135

rncm.ac.uk/studyhere

RNC

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rncm.ac.uk/juniorrncm

Tel: +44 (0)161 907 5200Fax: +44 (0)161 273 7611

www.rncm.ac.uk

Royal Northern College of Music124 Oxford Road

ManchesterM13 9RD

UK