RCM Prospectus 2022 23

THE RCM IS
WHERE YOU
WILL MAKE THE
TRANSITION
FROM STUDENT
TO ARTIST.
JP Jennings, Master of Performance
02 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 03

TOP 10 07 09
REASONS TO ACCESS OUTSTANDING FACILITIES TAILOR YOUR STUDIES
STUDY AT THE From magnificent performance spaces to state-of-the-art

accommodation, a brand-new museum and outstanding
We are the only conservatoire to award our own
degrees right up to doctoral level, meaning you can
ROYAL COLLEGE
digital resources, our excellent facilities are at your disposal. create a bespoke course to suit your aspirations.
We are continually investing in our campus and our More
Music Campaign has transformed and expanded our
OF MUSIC facilities for our students.
08 10
GAIN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ENGAGE WITH WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH
Our Creative Careers Centre offers a wealth of opportunities The RCM is renowned for its cutting-edge research,
to develop your skills, perform at prestigious events and take which informs our teaching and can help you develop
music into the wider community. fully as an artist.
01 04
PERFORM AND PERFECT EXPERIENCE DIGITAL INNOVATION
RCM students are invited to perform in venues across Our virtual learning environment and innovative facilities
London and further afield with world-leading conductors make the RCM a world leader in the use of digital
and artists, and composers can hear their works brought technologies, developing your technical skills to prepare
to life by RCM musicians. you for a successful career.
02 05
LEARN WITH EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSORS JOIN OUR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Our dedicated and experienced professors are at the The RCM is a truly global conservatoire. Our students
forefront of their fields, and many are principal players and staff come from every corner of the world to create a
with London’s major orchestras and ensembles. friendly, exciting and diverse hub of music-making, allowing
you to build contacts with musicians from around the globe.
03 06
PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE BE INSPIRED BY OUR LOCATION
Follow in the footsteps of the world’s leading musicians – Situated in the heart of London and standing proudly
our students have gone on to enjoy successful international opposite the Royal Albert Hall, the RCM’s location is
careers for more than 135 years. the envy of the musical world.

CONTENTS
LIFE AT THE RCM FACULTIES
08 Welcome to the RCM 40 Brass

10 Performance Opportunities 42 Composition
14 Learning & Development 44 Conducting
16 Prepare for Your Future 46 Historical Performance
18 RCM Graduates 48 Keyboard
22 Our Location 50 Percussion
24 Studying in London 52 Strings
26 Accommodation 54 Woodwind
28 Student Support 56 Vocal & Opera
29 RCM Students’ Union 58 RCM Opera Studio
30 Our Campus & Facilities 60 RCM Professors
34 Global Opportunities
www.rcm.ac.uk/faculties
36 Scholarships
www.rcm.ac.uk/life
PROGRAMMES HOW TO APPLY

OF STUDY
70 Undergraduate Programmes 82 How to Get in Touch

72 Masters Programmes 83 Visit Us
76 Artist Diplomas 84 Applying & Auditions
78 Research Programmes 86 Fees & Funding
www.rcm.ac.uk/courses www.rcm.ac.uk/apply

WELCOME
TO THE RCM
The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s greatest
conservatoires. Ranked the top institution for performing arts
in the UK for six consecutive years (QS World University
Rankings 2016–2021) and no.1 in Europe in 2020 and
2021, we welcome staff and students from all over the
world bringing exceptional talent, creativity and inspiration.
The musical opportunities you will discover here are Your career aspirations are important to us and we will give
breathtaking. We hold hundreds of events each year you the guidance you need to feel confident in navigating
across our magnificent performance spaces and at external the professional landscape. In a recent Higher Education
venues. Two new state-of-the-art performance spaces were Statistics Agency survey (2020), of the RCM alumni who
completed at the RCM in 2020, as well as new facilities graduated in 2018, 94% of survey respondents had moved
for learning and collaboration. Our rich digital learning into employment or further study 15 months after graduating.
environment has expanded the experience of our students,
who can access greater communication with their professors We are proud of our heritage as a conservatoire that
and peers via learn.rcm, our virtual learning platform. has nurtured some of the most exceptional musical talent
over more than 135 years, but we also seek to push the
Here at the RCM we support you as an artist. Our boundaries of music as leaders in digital innovation.
professors represent the best international talent and We know that the global partnerships that enrich life
are committed to nurturing you through your studies. As at the RCM are integral to our progress as an institution.
an RCM musician you will be encouraged to develop by Our students are the heart of what we do and we are
exploring the research behind music in practice, and will committed to supporting you as you embark on your
be well placed to do so, as we were named the London journey at the College and beyond.
conservatoire with the highest percentage of world-leading
research in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014). Professor Colin Lawson, Director
CBE, MA (Oxon), MA, PhD, DMus, FRCM, FRNCM,
We are also dedicated to preparing you for life after
FLCM, HonRAM
graduation. Our Creative Careers Centre gives you access
to a wealth of job opportunities and can also offer training
in the transferable skills and digital practices that will help
you build a successful career – plus, you can access advice
and support for up to five years after you graduate.

PERFORMANCE We have several large ensembles in addition to our main CHAMBER MUSIC
OPPORTUNITIES
orchestras, and composers can hear their works performed
You can perform solo and chamber works in our many
by fellow musicians too. Solo opportunities are numerous,
chamber music and song series, and all students are able to
with many concert slots available each week, and students
apply to take part in these lunchtime and rush-hour concerts.
are actively encouraged and supported to form chamber
There are also opportunities to play at venues across
groups to help broaden their repertoire further.
London and beyond, including Wigmore Hall, Cadogan
Performance experience is at the heart of what we offer RCM ENSEMBLES
Hall, Southbank Centre, the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room,
Victoria and Albert Museum and local churches including
students at the Royal College of Music. Your studies will The RCM Symphony Orchestra is frequently joined by some St James’s Piccadilly and St Mary Abbots, Kensington.
be filled with opportunities to take part in our events on of the world’s greatest conductors and artists, with students
Visiting ensembles, including the Harlem Quartet and
offered remote sessions as well as in-person performance
Sacconi Quartet, provide further opportunities to play
campus and beyond, including masterclasses, solo and opportunities. Guest artists have included Martyn Brabbins,
alongside professional performers.
Vladimir Jurowski, Sir Antonio Pappano, Rafael Payare, Jac
chamber recitals to large orchestral concerts and fully van Steen, Holly Mathieson, Joana Carneiro and John Wilson.
staged operas. The RCM Philharmonic’s Orchestral Masterworks series
CONCERTOS AND COMPETITIONS
The RCM runs a regular concerto competition and the

provides students regular opportunities to play the core
winners receive showcase performances with our ensembles.
works of the orchestral repertoire. Our other ensembles
Composers are also able to win the chance to have
cover a wide range of genres: contemporary music with
their works rehearsed and premiered by a full orchestra.
RCM New Perspectives, historical performance with the
In recent years pianist Viktor Maslov played Rachmaninov’s
RCM Baroque Orchestra, electronic music in our From the
Piano Concerto no 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the
Soundhouse series, and jazz and swing with the RCM
RCM Symphony Orchestra; while at the RCM Timothy Edlin
Swing Band and RCM Big Band. RCM conductors also
sang Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death, Maja
have the opportunity to lead rehearsals and concerts
Horvat played Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto no 1, and
with our ensembles throughout the year, and we have
Ashby Mayes performed Weber’s Bassoon Concerto.
close relationships with all the London orchestras, with
many offering side-by-side opportunities. Our students are often part of innovative and groundbreaking
projects: in 2020 this included performances with the
Chineke! Orchestra and being part of virtual events such
Image left as Andrea Bocelli’s Believe in Christmas concert. Our
Students perform Elizabeth Maconchy’s String faculties also run competitions for a wide range of soloists
Quartet no 5 for our online In Focus concert series and chamber ensembles.
Image below
Sir Thomas Allen performs Schoenberg’s A Survivor
from Warsaw with the RCM Symphony Orchestra
and Chorus, conducted by Michael Rosewell

OPERA PRODUCTIONS RCM composers and musicians have created music to
accompany exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts,
The Royal College of Music Opera Studio presents three
the National Gallery and the Head On Festival, Sydney,
fully staged opera performances each year, along with
Australia. Our Great Exhibitionists series offers you the
frequent opera scenes and special projects; in the last year,
chance to devise your own experimental events with full
our production of opera scenes was filmed on campus
support and mentorship. Students can collaborate to create
and streamed online. Some of the world’s most acclaimed
and present unique projects that redefine what classical
directors, designers and choreographers join us for these
music means today.
productions, providing a professional experience within
a supportive environment. In addition, we present biannual
fully staged productions of mini-operas written by RCM FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE
student composers. Every year we stage festivals that provide a platform for
individual faculties to showcase their talents. Our Keyboard
COLLABORATIONS Festival features a live-streamed marathon of performances,
while Super String Sunday explores sensational string music.
There are many collaborative projects at the RCM each year,
Other festivals include the International Double Bass Festival,
both cross-faculty and with external institutions. Principal
International Guitar Day, which has included performances
players from the Chamber Orchestra of Europe visit to work
by John Williams and Xuefei Yang, Bassoon Day and more.
and perform with students. In a groundbreaking project with
Historical performance is celebrated with the two-day
co-members of the Virtual Conservatoire in 2019, including
International Festival of Viols. We also host major composers
actors and dancers from the London Academy of Music and
in residence, with 2019/20 featuring Mark-Anthony Turnage
Dramatic Art and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, we
in a series of concerts and classes.
presented performances that linked performers in real time
in Bristol and London in a unique rendition of the Orpheus Our Festival of Percussion provides an opportunity to
myth. In 2019 students were involved in an exciting, hear and perform with the greats of the industry. Tommy
connected performance between the BBC Radio Theatre Igoe was our most recent special guest and we regularly
in London and Edinburgh Napier University, as part of the welcome percussionists from the BBC Symphony Orchestra,
World Service’s Digital Planet series. London Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra of the Royal
Opera House.
The performance spaces available to

students at the RCM are fantastic. The new
Performance Hall is really impressive both
aesthetically and acoustically. I have many
fond memories of singing in the beautiful
Britten Theatre. The production and stage
teams create the most incredible sets.
Image right
Jessica Cale, Artist Diploma in Opera Jac van Steen conducts the RCM
Symphony Orchestra
WATCH
www.rcm.ac.uk/watchperformance
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/performance

LEARNING & TEACHING AT THE RCM RESOURCES AND FACILITIES
DEVELOPMENT We offer an individualised approach, selecting the most

suitable projects and performance opportunities for each
student’s needs. Flexible programmes allow you to shape
The RCM is a vibrant place for learning and research, rich
in both practical and intellectual resources. Outstanding
collections of priceless musical instruments, famous
your studies according to your strengths, interests and composers’ manuscripts and thousands of paintings and
aspirations. Your learning will combine intensive one-to-one historical documents form the basis for a sweeping range
Our priority is supporting you to reach your full potential tuition with faculty group classes, rehearsals, performances, of research into music in practice. The new Royal College
seminars, tutorials, supervision and practical workshops, of Music Museum and the RCM Library offer exceptional
as a musician, ensuring you have the resources you need and we are fully equipped for online delivery of select resources both on campus and for remote learning.
modules and courses. We pride ourselves in providing
to succeed in a healthy, fulfilling and sustainable career. a warm, inclusive and connected environment for learning. These resources are complemented by facilities for audio
and video recording, super-fast video conferencing,
Our students work in a dynamic environment that reflects technology-enhanced composition and our magnificent
LEARNING THROUGH RESEARCH
the breadth and vitality of the music profession. performance spaces. The Centre for Performance Science,
At the RCM you will be part of a thriving research culture that a collaboration with Imperial College London, offers
Dr Diana Salazar, Director of Programmes promotes artistic innovation, exploration and self-reflection, world-class research opportunities and expertise, as will
with mentorship and support from professors and staff who the new Wolfson Centre in Music & Material Culture.
are at the cutting edge of innovation in their own disciplines.
Whether exploring technical challenges in the teaching MUSICAL COMMUNITY
studio, experimenting in the practice room, discovering
digital music-making, innovating in performance science and As a student you will become part of a strong musical
education, rehearsing for your next performance or finding community where you will learn from world-leading experts,
new repertoire in the magnificent RCM Library, research is engaging in dialogue and receiving feedback from visiting
a vital part of your learning. professors, RCM staff and your peers. The opportunity
to work together with other supremely talented musicians
eager to participate in bringing to life a vast range of new
and historical music will be at the heart of your experience
at the RCM. Our community is invested in every student’s
progress and our goal is to help you thrive during your
studies and as you start your career.
What I learnt from being in such a highly

collaborative environment is to treasure
every opportunity, no matter how big or
small, because any one of them may propel
your career in the most unexpected way.
Darren Sng, Bachelor of Music (Hons)
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/learning

PREPARE FOR MAKE INDUSTRY CONTACTS BUSINESS MODULES
YOUR FUTURE London is the centre of the UK’s classical music industry,
and the RCM is at the heart of an extraordinary professional
network. You will find that there are lots of opportunities to
There are modules available in our undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes that help you to devise and
implement projects within professional settings. You can
make professional contacts in the industry. learn how to strategically develop creative ideas and
marketing materials, and gain essential entrepreneurial,
The Royal College of Music will help you to prepare for PARTNERSHIPS AND SIT-IN SCHEMES business and networking skills.
a successful future in the profession of your choice: your Orchestral musicians can benefit from sit-in schemes with
major London orchestras, including the BBC Symphony,
studies here will allow you to follow a diverse array of English National Opera, Royal Philharmonic, London EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
career paths. We have a fantastic careers service and our Symphony and Philharmonia orchestras. Composers can
participate in innovative collaborative projects and hear
Our learning and participation programme, RCM Sparks,
provides exciting opportunities to:
staff and professors can provide you with expert guidance. their works performed in some of London’s most prestigious
venues. These schemes offer selected students the chance • Take part in specially tailored music education training.
to sit in on professional rehearsals and gain invaluable
experience in professional environments. • Work as a mentor or assistant in a range of educational
settings, such as our local Music Hub, children’s
94% of survey respondents in
centres, schools, charities and renowned arts or
employment or further study DEVELOP YOUR CAREER
heritage organisations.
15 months after graduating. The RCM is a world-leader in career development for
musicians and is home to the RCM Creative Careers • Experience working with a wide range of ages including
Centre. We emphasise the need for students to be confident babies, children, families and adults.
Higher Education Statistics Agency Survey (2020)
and versatile communicators, not just in their professional
• Harness the expertise of a wide range of inspiring
engagements, but in everything they do. Our dedicated
professionals such as renowned workshop leaders
team will help you to develop professionally by advising
and composers.
and guiding you through a range of opportunities that
mirror the professional world, encouraging you to use • Experiment and learn with the support of the experienced
your initiative and ensuring that you make the most of the RCM Sparks team.
opportunities available to you.
• Make useful contacts in the education sector to pave the
way for future employment opportunities.
THE CREATIVE CAREERS CENTRE OFFERS:
• Extensive professional opportunities in and around • Share ideas and passions with other musicians and the
London, and beyond. wider community.
• Tailored one-to-one career sessions with members of the

team and industry specialists.
• Resources, lectures and seminars on how to build

a successful career.
• Guidance on self-management and self-employment,

including finance.
• Careers workshops and special events.
• Popular weekly opportunities e-bulletins.
• The RCM Teaching Services, matching members of the

public in London and across the globe with student-tutors —
whose qualifications and visa-status enable them to teach.
Image left
We advise you to use these services from day one of RCM musician in a recording
your course to develop your knowledge and skills, to session at Abbey Road Studios
complement an outstanding CV and wealth of experience

that will help shape your future career. The Creative Careers
Centre provides advice and services to RCM alumni for five FIND OUT MORE
years after graduation. www.rcm.ac.uk/creativecareers

RCM LUKE WHITLOCK
GRADUATES MMus in Composition, 2002

Composer, educator and producer for BBC Radio 3,
including Lead Producer for the Diverse Composers Project
& Forgotten Female Composers Project
Studying at the RCM equipped me with many of the skills

For more than 135 years we have welcomed, trained I continue to use today as both composer and Lead Producer
and nurtured the musicians of the future. Our extraordinary for BBC Radio 3. After graduating I worked for the RCM for
three years, and I continue today to work with a great many
graduates are leading successful careers throughout the of the musicians I encountered whilst I was both student and
staff. I’d advise all RCM students to look beyond the confines
world in a wide range of professions. of their degree, and experience everything the RCM has to
offer. Get to know as many students and staff as possible, for
you’re likely to meet them again throughout your career.
OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY INCLUDES: RAQUEL GARCÍA-TOMÁS

Sir Thomas Allen baritone MComp and DMus, 2018
Sophie Bevan soprano Freelance composer and teacher at Taller de Músics Music
Benjamin Britten composer College, currently living in Barcelona
Natalie Clein cellist
My studies at the RCM gave me the necessary skills to
Dame Sarah Connolly mezzo soprano become a professional composer and radically changed
Sir Colin Davis conductor my relationship to composition – as I began to feel more
Amy Dickson saxophonist connected to what I was creating – and it boosted my
Barry Douglas pianist professional career. A few months ago, I received the
Gerald Finley baritone National Music Award 2020 from the Government of
Sir James Galway flautist Spain. The RCM is an institution that values singularity and
uniqueness. If you’re considering applying, don’t be shy
Gustav Holst composer
to show what makes you different from the rest.
Alina Ibragimova violinist
Jonathan Lemalu bass baritone
John Lill pianist
Howard Shelley pianist and conductor IMOGEN ROYCE
Dame Joan Sutherland soprano BMus(Hons), 2019
Thomas Trotter organist Freelance flautist, London Symphony, London Philharmonic
Mark-Anthony Turnage composer and English National Opera orchestras
Vasko Vassilev violinist
Going to study at the RCM really shaped me into the person
Jane Watts organist
and musician I am now. While I was there, I took part in
Julian Lloyd Webber cellist some unforgettable orchestral projects led by really inspiring
Dame Gillian Weir organist conductors such as Nicholas Collon and Bernard Haitink,
John Williams guitarist and my flute teachers became incredibly important people
Ralph Vaughan Williams composer to me.
The Woodwind Faculty was hugely supportive, and I met

some of my best friends at the RCM. Since graduating,
I have been freelancing with orchestras such as the London
Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera Orchestra
and the London Symphony Orchestra.

JAN WILLEM DE WITH MANU BRAZO
MComp in Composition for Screen, 2019 MPerf, 2018

Film composer and lecturer in film music at London South Saxophonist, selected for the Britten-Pears Young Artist
Bank University Programme in 2018 and opened for Sir Cliff Richard at
Greenwich Music Time Festival in 2019
The RCM not only extended my musical horizon but also
helped me develop and improve the tools needed to be Studying at the RCM was a life-changing experience.
able to work in the mentally and creatively demanding I don’t think I could have found a better place to give me
world of film scoring. The RCM connected me with industry the professional and personal tools and environment to
professionals from all over the world, meaning I could get develop myself. And I was surrounded by the best possible
a very detailed insight into the business and the ‘real world’ colleagues and teachers. There is no better way to find your
as a composer. While studying I received a nomination for own path than to share your journey with people you admire
the 2018 Peer Raben Award, and a nomination for Best in every sense. That is what makes the RCM so special.
Music in Short Film at the 2018 International Sound and
Film Music Festival.
EMILY SUN DANI HOWARD JONATHAN HOLLICK JULIEN VAN MELLAERTS
ArtDip in Performance, 2018 BMus(Hons), 2015 MPerf, 2017 ArtDip in Opera, 2017
Violinist, winner of the 2016 Royal Over-Seas League Composer and orchestrator, winner of the Royal Sub-Principal Trombone in the BBC Scottish Baritone, 2017 Kathleen Ferrier Award Winner, 2017
Music Competition UK, assistant professor at the RCM Philharmonic Society Composition Prize; her piece Symphony Orchestra Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song
Argentum was performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018 Competition Winner, 2019 BBC Cardiff Singer of the
There are fantastic opportunities to perform at the RCM in all The RCM Brass Faculty is full of incredible teachers that go World finalist
capacities – as a soloist, and in chamber groups, ensembles The RCM shaped me musically, personally and out of their way to give you the best possible opportunity to
and symphony orchestras. All of these experiences professionally in every way – an incredible springboard succeed. The standard of tuition and guidance is second to I had the most incredible time at the RCM and learned
helped build my confidence to continue performing as a into professional life as a composer. I have gone on to none and that’s what pushed me to become the best player so much. I was allowed to develop at my own pace, in
professional musician. write for major orchestras including the London Symphony that I could possibly be. my own way, and to work with the world’s best singers,
Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Royal Liverpool pianists, conductors and teachers. To have the chance
Philharmonic, which would not have been possible without to work on operas with Sir Thomas Allen, song projects
the education and opportunities I received at the RCM. with Simon Lepper and Roger Vignoles, and countless
performance opportunities, was an education that set me
up so well for the profession. The RCM is an outstanding
institution, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly to
anyone hoping to pursue a career as a singer!

OUR The RCM sits within the heart of Exhibition Road Cultural WORLD-LEADING MUSEUMS
LOCATION
Quarter, London’s premier hub of cultural activity. The
We enjoy close relationships with three of the UK’s
College is just a ten-minute walk from South Kensington
biggest museums, the Natural History Museum, Science
tube station with several bus routes passing close by,
Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, which offer
making it easy to explore all of London. The RCM’s
inspiration and regular performance opportunities.
location means you can also easily reach some of the
city’s most exciting attractions on foot, such as:
The Royal College of Music’s location is the envy of the ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
musical world. We are situated directly opposite the Royal IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON Students can take advantage of amazing collaborations
and performance opportunities with our artistic neighbours.
Albert Hall in one of London’s most attractive and vibrant Our close association with neighbouring Imperial College
means you can be part of one of the largest and most active
areas – South Kensington. student bodies in the capital. CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
You will be able to explore a diverse range of cultural

ROYAL ALBERT HALL programmes with nearby institutions, including the
Goethe-Institut, Austrian Cultural Forum, Institut français
This world-famous venue is the home of the BBC Proms
and Ismaili Centre.
and also hosts major film premieres.
There are also great places to eat and socialise with friends.
HYDE PARK For more details visit www.discoversouthken.com
Generations of RCM students have enjoyed the quiet of this

renowned park, which is one of the most attractive green FIND OUT MORE
spaces in London. www.rcm.ac.uk/location
Regent’s Park
Wigmore Hall
Oxford Street
Royal Opera House
Leicester Square
Hyde Park
Trafalgar Square
Royal Festival Hall Shakespeare’s Globe
Kensington Palace
Royal Albert Hall
Royal College of Music London Eye

Buckingham Palace
Houses of Parliament

STUDYING London really is one of the
most vibrant and diverse cities The RCM has links with many of the major venues across
IN LONDON
the city, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal
in the world, and the RCM is Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, Kings Place, Queen Elizabeth
placed perfectly at its centre. Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and St James’s Piccadilly.
South Kensington is such an Students also have the opportunity to play at churches,
museums and galleries, such as the Royal Academy of
inspirational neighbourhood. Arts, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum.
London needs no introduction. Studying at the Royal Looking out of the window
In addition to hosting the finest international musicians
College of Music, in one of the world’s leading cultural whilst practising and seeing the and orchestras, London offers world-class theatre, dance,
capitals, offers an amazing array of opportunities. Royal Albert Hall over the road is film and television. It has world-famous green spaces and
a constant source of inspiration. a host of museums and art galleries, many of which are
free to visit. As a student you will be entitled to discounted
Michael Durrant, doctoral student tickets and travel, so you can really make the most of your
time in the capital.

ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
Prince Consort Village is specially designed for RCM

LOCATION
Located in leafy south-west London, Prince Consort Village

students, with acoustically treated bedrooms allowing is within easy travelling distance of the RCM; you can cycle
you to practise at home. Amenities include: 23 dedicated or get the London Underground from Ravenscourt Park
The Royal College of Music’s hall of residence, Prince practice rooms available 24/7, a film room, open mic to South Kensington, and there are regular buses too.
space, high-speed Wi-Fi, laundry, reception, gym, bicycle
Consort Village, provides high-quality accommodation storage and indoor and outdoor communal spaces. This ideal location offers both the greenery of nearby
Ravenscourt Park as well as the convenience of the many
for more than 400 students. Situated on Goldhawk The accommodation is staffed 24 hours a day, and the local shops, cafes and amenities.
Road in London, Prince Consort Village opened in 2016 in-house team and residence manager are dedicated
Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush is also within easy reach
to the pastoral care and wellbeing of residents.
and comprises studio apartments, en-suite rooms and of Prince Consort Village and is home to leading fashion,
home and lifestyle brands, as well as cinemas and a fantastic
standard rooms. selection of eateries. A short bus ride away is Notting Hill
– famous for the Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road
Market. This part of London is arty and dynamic, with plenty
of places to eat, shop and see live music.
Living at PCV has been one of the best decisions I’ve

made. In first year I made lifelong friends and met
fellow students that I may not have crossed paths
with otherwise. I feel like I am living in a safe and
stimulating environment with practice rooms open
24/7. Social events and sharing a kitchen with my WATCH
www.rcm.ac.uk/watchpcv
friends where we cook meals and socialise means
PCV really feels like home.
FIND OUT MORE
Olivia Carstairs, Bachelor of Music (Hons) www.rcm.ac.uk/accommodation

STUDENT RCM STUDENTS’
SUPPORT UNION
The Royal College of Music provides easy access Living and studying in London offers an incredible
to a whole range of services to support you during cultural experience for any aspiring musician. The RCM
your time here, from financial advice to counselling Students’ Union (SU) will represent and support you as
and health and wellbeing. you discover all the opportunities the Royal College of
Music has to offer.
The College takes pride in being an inclusive place to study HEALTH AND WELLBEING The SU is a lively student body that includes every student The SU is also home to a diverse range of student-run
and we support equality and diversity within our community. enrolled at the RCM and advocates for the student voice societies, which includes the SitSociety (See Interesting
The RCM Counselling service offers confidential counselling
We promote a range of teaching, activities and resources at all levels. The SU also provides regular feedback to the Things Society), which hosts museum-hopping and gallery
to students, and we are also partnered with togetherall,
to support student health and wellbeing during their studies. College on every aspect of student life, from courses to viewings; Jazz Society; Football Society; Netball Society;
which runs a 24/7 online service providing advice and
Students can get advice on assessments, administrative facilities, ensuring your time here is as fulfilling as it can be. LGBTQ Society; Christian Union; and New Music Society,
support for those dealing with depression, anxiety and
matters and performance opportunities and speak to their which holds regular listening sessions and concert trips.
other mental health issues. In addition, the Imperial College Mental and physical wellbeing is a priority to the SU,
faculty administrator in person on campus and virtually. It encourages student-led musical projects, including the
Health Centre provides primary care medical services and which works closely with Student Services to try to ensure Students’ Orchestra. The SU also has links with other
There is also a strong tradition of Alexander Technique also has their own counselling service. the correct support is there for every student throughout institutions, including Imperial College London, which
at the RCM, which is popular with many students. Find out their studies. provides access to more than 300 clubs and societies.
The Imperial College Chaplaincy Centre welcomes all
more at www.rcm.ac.uk/alexandertechnique
RCM students, and provides a place of resource, help, The SU area is the social hub of the RCM. With a bar and Highlights of the SU social event calendar include Freshers’
advice and information relating to faith and spirituality. pool table, it is ideal for socialising with friends, getting to
STUDENT SERVICES Week, Green Week, Raising and Giving (RAG) Week,
know other students and joining in SU events. It also offers Health and Wellbeing Week and the Summer Ball.
Our experienced and supportive Student Services Team INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS online events and support, allowing you to keep connected You can also take part in day trips and country walks –
offers a confidential and impartial advice service to all with your student community wherever you are. a great way to relax and explore places outside London.
We proudly welcome international students from all over the
students, dealing with a range of issues including financial
world and understand that moving to a new country can be
concerns, private accommodation, musicians’ injuries,
a big step. Our Registry and Student Services staff provide
personal matters and more, in person and online. They can
advice and support for international students across a
also provide a range of print and online resources on a
range of practical subjects including visas and immigration,
wide variety of topics.
opening bank accounts, accommodation, financial advice
or just finding out how to make the most of your time here.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
We welcome and encourage the participation of students

with disabilities in all aspects of life at the RCM, and
we have particular experience in supporting students with
dyslexia and visual impairment. To find out more visit
www.rcm.ac.uk/disabilities
The staff at the RCM are very kind

and supportive, and create a friendly,
CONTACT
warm environment for the students. STUDENT SERVICES
FOR A CONFIDENTIAL
DISCUSSION
Ida Li, Master of Performance studentservices@rcm.ac.uk FIND OUT MORE
020 7591 4316 www.rcm.ac.uk/rcmsu

OUR CAMPUS Image right
& FACILITIES
Martyn Brabbins rehearses with
the RCM Symphony Orchestra and
Chorus in the Amaryllis Fleming
Concert Hall
The Royal College of Music’s resources are

internationally renowned, and we are continually
investing in our facilities to enhance and support
your learning throughout your time here.
Our campus is located in South Kensington, a key Our performance spaces are used for rehearsals,
cultural quarter of central London. Our main building, the masterclasses, concerts, recordings, community workshops,
Blomfield Building, sits on Prince Consort Road opposite exhibitions and collaborative music-making of all kinds.
the Royal Albert Hall, and is home to performance spaces,
classrooms, rehearsal and practice facilities and the RCM In 2020 we expanded into an additional property, RCM
Students’ Union. Jay Mews, which provides two large orchestra and opera
rehearsal spaces and further practice rooms. The building
Our new state of the art facilities, including two new is next to the Royal Albert Hall, and only metres away from
performance venues and new social spaces, were our iconic Blomfield Building.
completed in 2020, and we look forward to making full
use of them for years to come. The new Royal College of TEACHING AND PRACTICE
Music Museum and Wolfson Centre in Music & Material
Culture will provide even more opportunity for object-based The RCM has a number of sound-proofed Amadeus music
learning to support your studies. pods for private practice, and our new Blüthner Practice
Suite holds ten Blüthner Model A upright pianos. We also
have dressing rooms for opera productions, instrument
WORLD-CLASS STAGES
surgeries including luthier services and resident piano
We have three major performance spaces. The Amaryllis technicians, instrument storage, and dual-purpose practice
Fleming Concert Hall is the primary rehearsal and concert and teaching spaces with audio visual equipment. Students
venue for RCM orchestras and large ensembles. have access to our purpose-built percussion suite, and our
magnificent Flentrop Orgelbouw organ in the Amaryllis
Our Britten Theatre is one of London’s best-loved opera Fleming Concert Hall.
stages – with an orchestra pit and elegant tiered auditorium,
it not only hosts our regular opera productions but also
RCM STUDIOS
a variety of instrumental and ensemble performances.
Our audio, video and composition technology facilities
The new Performance Hall offers an alternative space for enable performers and composers to work in professional
chamber ensemble performances and orchestral rehearsals, studio conditions. The RCM’s studio facilities are used on
and boasts a retractable stage, comprehensive technical a range of technology-based courses and modules and the
infrastructure, variable acoustics and is home to a new Fazioli video production suite allows for broadcasts and recordings
grand piano, providing versatility for the range of events of RCM concerts. Any student can book the studio, with
staged by the College. a professional engineer, for a small fee to make recordings
and videos for audition submissions, self-promotion and
In addition, we have a number of more intimate venues
other purposes. Our composition and production suites
perfect for chamber and solo performances, including
feature high-spec workstations for tuition and individual
the new Performance Studio, the Parry Rooms – which
project work with a wide range of professional software
overlook the Royal Albert Hall – and the Recital Hall.
such as Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and extensive orchestral
sample libraries.

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DIGITAL SUPPORT LIBRARY AND RESOURCES MUSEUM AND COLLECTIONS
Our highly skilled technology team provides a range Our digital resources can be accessed from any online The RCM Library is run by a friendly and knowledgeable We are readying the new Royal College of Music
of IT support services and is constantly improving and device, anywhere in the world. Your studies will be team who are here to support your studies. Our physical Museum to open to students and the public in 2021.
developing the technology available to support your supported by learn.rcm, the RCM’s virtual learning collections cover a wealth of material including printed Our museum maintains one of the richest and most relevant
studies. We provide a drop-in and online helpdesk, Wi-Fi, environment: through it you can find your course, music and scores, books, music journals and recordings. collections of music-related objects in the UK and Europe,
USB-charging points throughout the RCM, Office 365 faculty and assessment information, submit your written and its substantial resources are regularly used for teaching.
licences for all members of the College, 24-hour access to assignments, upload and share audio and video The library also gives students access to a wide range You can also explore the RCM’s collections in our digital
computers in our buildings, large format colour printers and recordings, and collaborate with RCM students and staff. of online resources. These include e-books and e-journals, catalogue at museumcollections.rcm.ac.uk
specialist music software including Sibelius, Noteflight and Oxford Music Online, Naxos Music Library and the Berlin
Audacity. In addition, we have recently updated hardware We also host collaborative masterclasses, lectures and Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall via learn.rcm. We are
and software for visually impaired users. performances with partners around the world using high- the first institution to have formed a partnership with nkoda,
quality video conferencing and lecture capture platforms, the digital sheet music library, and musicians can also use
including Microsoft Teams and Panopto, which are also Henle Library, giving our students access to thousands Some of my happiest memories are
used to support day-to-day learning and teaching. of scores online. from rehearsals in the Parry Rooms,
Many concerts are filmed or recorded, and you can watch The RCM Library’s collections can be accessed concerts in the Amaryllis Fleming
back performances and faculty events via our online internal via its online catalogues, and you can find Concert Hall and quiet study in the
video player, RCM Stream. This valuable teaching aid out more at www.rcm.ac.uk/library
lets you analyse and learn from your performances on any Donaldson Room – it’s a wonderful
device. In addition, we live stream events on our website campus to be studying on!
at www.rcm.ac.uk/live, so your family and friends outside
London can experience your performances. Roelof Temmingh, Master of Music in Performance
Image left Image above

String quartet rehearsing in Student studying in the
the Performance Hall Donaldson Room of the
RCM Library
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/facilities

GLOBAL
OPPORTUNITIES
The Royal College of Music is a truly international
community. We are proud that over half of our students
come from outside the UK, and we currently have musicians
from more than 55 different countries studying here.
International students are a key part of all aspects of life at GLOBAL PARTNERS
the RCM, and you will have the chance to work and perform
In addition to welcoming talented musicians from around
with musicians from all over the world. Our professors, too,
the world to our home in South Kensington, the RCM works
come from across the globe, bringing with them a wealth of
in collaboration with institutions such as the Nanyang
experience and expertise. This is part of what makes the RCM
Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, Princeton University
such a friendly, exciting and diverse hub of music-making.
and Boston University to offer joint programmes of study.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES
ALUMNI WORLDWIDE
Our degree programmes are recognised internationally.
We have a diverse alumni network in more than 85
We are the only UK conservatoire to award our own
countries worldwide, and they tell us how fondly they
degrees to doctoral level. At the RCM you can tailor your
remember their time at the Royal College of Music.
programme to develop your own individual aspirations.
We believe that you won’t find a more welcoming
and inspiring place to study anywhere in the world.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Support is available for international students on a EXCHANGES

range of issues such as visa applications, accommodation
We have a range of exchanges available with leading
and settling into life in a new country. Find out more at
European, American, Asian and Australian music
www.rcm.ac.uk/international
conservatories and universities. These exchanges provide
an excellent opportunity to study abroad at other leading
institutions as part of your RCM studies. For further details
visit www.rcm.ac.uk/exchanges
While studying abroad I attended live concerts in the

city, explored the country’s culture and met so many
new people. I learnt to be more independent and
confident and would really recommend studying Image right
Violist Helena Bartlett at the Sibelius
abroad to anyone considering it. I’ll always be so Monument in Helsinki, Finland
glad I spent those months in Helsinki.
Helena Bartlett, Bachelor of Music (Hons) WATCH

Studied at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, August – December 2020 www.rcm.ac.uk/watchinternational

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Royal College of Music is committed to
accepting the best students from around the
world. Currently more than 50% of full-time
students receive some financial support,
thanks to the generosity of individuals,
legators, companies and charitable trusts.
Any student who auditions in person or by video for a place

on a performance or composition programme beginning
in September 2022 will automatically be considered for
a scholarship or study award. Scholarships are offered on
the merits of your performance at your audition or interview.
Scholarship amounts vary from student to student, ranging
from a contribution towards your tuition fees right up to full
fees. If you are offered a scholarship or study award you will
receive a confirmation letter following your offer of a place.
My dream of studying at the Royal

College of Music couldn’t have been
realised without an RCM scholarship,
which has enabled me to learn
and progress under world-leading
practitioners. At the RCM I am given
the opportunity to be challenged and
to challenge; feeding my creativity as
a musician every day.
Samuel Loveless, Master of Composition

South Square Trust Award Holder
Image right
Cellist Jobine Siekman plays
Bach Cello Suite no 6 on a
piccolo cello for a streamed
performance
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/scholarships

40 BRASS
42 COMPOSITION
44 CONDUCTING
46 HISTORICAL
PERFORMANCE
48 KEYBOARD
50 PERCUSSION
52 STRINGS
54 WOODWIND
56 VOCAL & OPERA
58 RCM OPERA STUDIO
60 RCM PROFESSORS
www.rcm.ac.uk/faculties
FACULTIES
BRASS I have had the opportunity to take part in
a range of performance activities. Termly
orchestral projects with visiting conductors
such as Jac van Steen and Martyn Brabbins
Our active community enables you to recognise your have allowed me to explore orchestral
full ability as a performing musician, with particular repertoire with top conductors.
emphasis on identifying and unlocking your individual Callum Robb, Bachelor of Music (Hons)
potential. Studying in the Brass Faculty will equip you

with the skills necessary to succeed professionally in
the ever-changing musical world.
Nigel Black, Head of Brass
OUTSTANDING PROFESSORS VISITING ARTISTS
The Brass Faculty has an outstanding team of professors, Distinguished international musicians give masterclasses
many of whom hold principal positions in major orchestras each term, and visitors have included Brandt Attema,
including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Øystein Baadsvik, Håkan Björkman, Dudley Bright, Philip
Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, London Sinfonietta Cobb, Laurence Davies, Alberto Menéndez Escribano,
and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. In addition Patrick Harrild, Oren Marshall, Gareth Small, Sarah Willis
to your one-to-one lessons, you will attend regular classes and Katy Woolley.
and ensemble coaching.
RELATED STUDIES
We also benefit from world-renowned visiting professors.
Stefan Dohr, Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, and Natural horn, natural trumpet, jazz trumpet, jazz trombone
trumpet virtuoso Gustav Melander both visit regularly for and sackbut are available as second or related study to
masterclasses, one-to-one teaching and ensemble work. promising students. Brass players also have the opportunity
to join the RCM Swing Band and RCM Big Band, which
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES perform regularly at the College, including at our annual
Festival of Percussion, and further afield.
From chamber groups formed by students to the RCM
Philharmonic and RCM Symphony Orchestra, a wide variety For a full list of professors in the Brass Faculty, please see
of ensembles offer an array of performance opportunities. page 61.
Our orchestras work with some of today’s greatest artists
and international conductors. Visiting conductors have For information on natural horn and natural trumpet see
included Vladimir Ashkenazy, Bernard Haitink, Vladimir page 46 or visit www.rcm.ac.uk/hp
Jurowski, Sir Roger Norrington, Rafael Payare, John Wilson
and Thomas Zehetmair. In addition, the RCM Opera
Orchestra provides music for regular RCM Opera Studio
performances, which are produced by acclaimed directors
in our Britten Theatre.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RCM brass players have joined the BBC Symphony

Orchestra for BBC Proms rehearsals as part of the sit-in
scheme for postgraduate students. Similar opportunities WATCH GET IN TOUCH
are available with the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic www.rcm.ac.uk/ brass@rcm.ac.uk
watchbrass
Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the English FIND OUT MORE
National Opera Orchestra. www.rcm.ac.uk/brass

COMPOSITION The RCM offers me the highest quality
of guidance and a wide range of PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
practical opportunities, strengthening RCM composers are enjoying competitive and

professional success in the UK and internationally. Notable
my own voice as a composer in achievements have included prizes at the Primetime Emmy
Being a composer today is about having the confidence today’s world. Awards, Grammy Awards, Oticons Faculty International
Film Music Competition, BMI Student Composer Awards
and strength to be yourself. In the Composition Faculty Terrence Wong, Master of Music in Composition and the Ivors Academy Composer awards, as well as the
we focus on both the creative and professional aspects ASCAP Foundation Michelle and Dean Kay Award and the
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Christopher Brooks
of being a composer, helping you to build and sustain Composition Prize.
your craft, realise your ideas, and create your own RCM composers have enjoyed positions on young
individual music. composers’ schemes at the London Philharmonic
Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and London
HEAR YOUR WORKS PERFORMED
Symphony Orchestra. Graduates have also achieved
William Mival, Head of Composition At the Royal College of Music you will have access
prestigious composer-in-residence positions at Birmingham
to a wholly exceptional performance environment,
Contemporary Music Group, Glyndebourne Opera, the
with the opportunity to hear your compositions played
Handel House Museum and the Australian Festival of
by resident and visiting musicians, RCM orchestras,
Chamber Music.
ensembles and fellow students of the highest musical
ability. You are also able to make use of the RCM
Studios, with its facilities for electro-acoustic and screen COMPOSITION FOR SCREEN
composition, and we use platforms including Panopto Our highly regarded postgraduate offering in Composition
for video conferencing and virtual performance. for Screen will help you to develop professionally in this
competitive and rewarding field. London is one of the
The Composition Faculty regularly collaborates with
busiest production centres in the world for the film, television
a range of artistic organisations in London and beyond.
and advertising industries and studying at the RCM, with
RCM composers have worked with the Tête à Tête opera
its extensive professional and collaborative links with film
company and Bill Bankes-Jones, the Royal Academy of
schools, studios and filmmakers, will see you at the heart
Arts and in collaborations with the London Film School,
of this creative environment.
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Royal College of Art,
Central Saint Martins, University of Music and Performing Composition for Screen alumni are working worldwide
Arts Vienna and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. throughout the industry, from Hollywood to Europe and
Asia, holding numerous accolades including BAFTA,
EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSORS Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy awards for work
in film, television and gaming.
Individual lessons and visits from established composers of
concert, film and television music, including electro-acoustic Explore works by current students at
and studio-based work, provide an unrivalled opportunity www.rcm.ac.uk/compforscreen
for you to nurture and develop your creative and technical
skills as well as your own compositional voice. Our For a full list of professors in the Composition Faculty,
professors and visiting professors are some of the biggest please see page 61.
names in their fields and include leading British composers
George Fenton, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Errollyn Wallen,
as well as Gilbert Nouno and Royal Philharmonic Society
Composition Prize winners Jonathan Cole and Dai Fujikura.
VISITING COMPOSERS
World-leading composers for concert and film regularly

WATCH
give talks and classes to our students, so you can learn www.rcm.ac.uk/watchcomposition
from the best in the field. Recent visitors have included
Chaya Czernowin, Brett Dean, Michael Giacchino, Harry
Gregson-Williams, Hanspeter Kyburz, Helmut Lachenmann,
David Lang, Colin Matthews, Anna Meredith, Nico Muhly, GET IN TOUCH
Rachel Portman, Steve Reich, Heather Roche, Howard composition@rcm.ac.uk
Shore, Mel Wesson, Kate Whitley, Debbie Wiseman, FIND OUT MORE
Gary Yershon and Hans Zimmer. www.rcm.ac.uk/composition

CONDUCTING CREATIVE LEARNING
Supported by three of the world’s leading conducting

VISITING CONDUCTORS
The RCM regularly welcomes exceptional international

professors, coupled with a detailed programme of conductors to work with our orchestras and ensembles,
repertoire study, you will be enabled to develop as whenever possible also including a conducting masterclass
Our two-year postgraduate course nurtures the complete a free-thinking individual equipped with the practical and opportunity for the students to act as their assistant
and theoretical skills necessary to progress in this complex conductor, as well as leading orchestral and sectional
conductor for the present day, offering exceptional and demanding discipline. preparations. Students regularly enjoy the opportunity
opportunities, inspiration and mentorship. Learning both to learn from British conductor Martyn Brabbins, our Prince
PODIUM TIME Consort Professor of Conducting. Other recent visitors have
strong technique and communication skills, you will be included Vladimir Ashkenazy, Bernard Haitink, Vladimir
Alongside scheduled ensemble and orchestral time in class,
supported as you hone your own individuality and style, we encourage you to experience everything on offer to you.
Jurowski, Holly Mathieson, Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Antonio
Pappano, Rafael Payare, Vassily Petrenko, Jac van Steen,
and will be involved in all aspects of musical life at the Enthusiastic and proactive conductors can find themselves
inundated with conducting opportunities, including
John Wilson and Thomas Zehetmair.
Royal College of Music. ensemble, orchestral and operatic repertoire. In addition

SECOND STUDY
to podium time with the RCM Philharmonic, RCM Symphony
Toby Purser, Head of Conducting Orchestra and various new music ensembles, you will be Conducting is also available to undergraduates and
able to organise your own concerts, including a termly postgraduates as an elective module class without audition.
Conductors Podium concert, and work with ensembles from This involves conducting your classmates in set repertoire and
across the Royal College of Music. focusing on the skills and knowledge necessary to develop
in this field. For postgraduates who already have conducting
experience or have completed a module, individual second
study lessons are available to promising students.
For a full list of professors in Conducting, please see page 62.
Image right
Holly Mathieson
conducts the RCM
Philharmonic
Orchestra
The Conducting staff are incredibly

engaging and invested in your career
development. Our teachers not only
provide insights into the profession
of conducting, but also offer care,
support and personal advice.
Nicolò Umberto Foron, Master of Performance
WATCH GET IN TOUCH

www.rcm.ac.uk/ conducting@rcm.ac.uk
watchconducting
FIND OUT MORE
www.rcm.ac.uk/conducting

HISTORICAL THEORY AND PRACTICE In addition, there are regular chamber performances
PERFORMANCE
in the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, as well
Individual lessons on the complete range of historical
as in the permanent medieval and renaissance galleries
instruments are offered by a faculty of exceptional
at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Further afield, our
professors, many of whom are principal players in major
students have performed in the Thomaskirche Leipzig and
period instrument orchestras, soloists and members of
the Orangery Palace in the Sanssouci Park of Potsdam.
well-known ensembles. There are outstanding research
There have been video conference masterclasses with the
The Historical Performance Faculty provides intensive and study opportunities to support your training, including
Eastman School of Music New York, Sydney Conservatorium
an extensive collection of manuscripts and early printed
training in all aspects of historically informed editions housed in the RCM Library. The Royal College of
of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music and Hong Kong
Academy for Performing Arts.
Music Museum, which occupies a new, specially designed
interpretation. We encourage students to engage with space in the Blomfield Building, holds approximately 1,000
our resources and collaborate with our outstanding historical instruments dating as far back as the 15th century. INTERNATIONAL TOURS
The Historical Performance Faculty regularly offers

professors, so they can present music effectively and PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES international tours, giving you the opportunity to further
make a meaningful contribution to the profession. The RCM has its own dedicated Baroque Orchestra,
enhance your study by performing in world-renowned
venues and to experience global music. Tours have included
which performs regularly and collaborates with the
Professor Ashley Solomon, Chair & Head of Historical Performance festivals throughout Italy, as well as performances in Paris,
Vocal & Opera Faculty in performances of Bach cantatas.
Salzburg, Bremen, Potsdam, Washington, DC and New
It also collaborates with other conservatoires, including
York. In addition, Historical Performance students have the
the Salzburg Mozarteum and Bremen Hochschule,
opportunity to participate in the biannual Festival Misiones
and has performed Rameau’s Les fêtes d’Hébé with the
de Chiquitos, which takes place in Bolivia.
Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris and the Centre
de musique baroque de Versailles at Opéra Bastille in
Paris. Further performance opportunities are extensive and VISITING ARTISTS
include appearances at major festivals such as the Bath We hold masterclasses with distinguished visiting
International Music Festival and the London Handel Festival, international musicians, allowing you to learn from some
as well as at heritage venues including Hatchlands Park of today’s greatest exponents of historical performance.
and Windsor Castle, where RCM musicians performed Recent visitors have included Christophe Coin, Enrico Gatti,
for BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show. Walter van Hauwe, Wilbert Hazelzet, Monica Huggett,
Ton Koopman, Paolo Pandolfo, Rachel Podger, Jean
Rondeau and David Watkin.
Professors in my faculty are renowned
musicians and inspirational tutors. CHAMBER MUSIC
They not only teach us how to play You are encouraged to form your own chamber groups
our instruments but also how to and expand your repertoire. All RCM chamber groups
understand music, collaborate with can benefit from unlimited coaching. You can also access
18th-century chamber music coaching from Florilegium,
others and express ourselves. our Ensemble in Association, and in 2020 we acquired
the Kennedy-Mietke Harpsichord, a double-manual
Dominika Maszczynska, Master of Performance
harpsichord inspired by Mietke, made by Bruce Kennedy.
The RCM’s annual International Festival of Viols, which

launched in 2007, features concerts, masterclasses and
lectures. Recent visiting artists have included Christophe
Coin, Fretwork, Vittorio Ghielmi, Hille Perl and Jordi Savall.
For a full list of professors in the Historical

Performance Faculty, please see pages 62– 63.
WATCH GET IN TOUCH

www.rcm.ac.uk/watchhp historicalperformance@rcm.ac.uk
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/hp

KEYBOARD The teachers I work with at the RCM
are leaders in their fields worldwide, PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
and I feel very lucky to be instructed RCM pianists regularly win prizes at major international
competitions. Recent examples include prizes at the
and inspired by them. Franz Liszt, Leeds, Van Cliburn and Hong Kong International
We pride ourselves on being a nurturing faculty, Piano Competitions, the online Piano Cleveland
Roelof Temmingh, Master of Music in Performance Virtu(al)oso Competition and at the BBC Young Musician
encouraging you to achieve your personal goals and of the Year, Jaques Samuel and Beethoven Intercollegiate
develop the skills to be successful in today’s music Piano Competitions. RCM collaborative pianists regularly win
accompanist prizes, including in the Kathleen Ferrier Awards.
profession. Our programmes will help you to fulfil your
Our pianists have also enjoyed positions as BBC Radio 3
potential as a musician and enable you to specialise New Generation Artists and in City Music Foundation,
in a variety of areas. and the Young Concert Artists and Young Classical Artist
Trust young artist programmes. Many students hold organ
WATCH
www.rcm.ac.uk/watchkeyboard scholarships while studying, for example at Westminster
Professor Vanessa Latarche, Chair of International Keyboard
Abbey or St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Studies and Associate Director for Partnerships in China
For a full list of professors in the Keyboard Faculty, please
GET IN TOUCH see pages 63 – 64.
keyboard@rcm.ac.uk
FIND OUT MORE Find out about postgraduate collaborative piano at

www.rcm.ac.uk/keyboard www.rcm.ac.uk/collaborativepiano
SPECIALISED TEACHING PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
We provide tuition in a range of subjects including piano, Soloists have the opportunity to perform concertos with
contemporary piano, collaborative piano and organ, RCM orchestras, which are regularly joined by world-
as well as fortepiano and harpsichord. renowned conductors. Concerto performances have
included Stravinsky’s Capriccio under the baton of Diego
As a pianist you will have the opportunity to perform and Masson; Chopin’s Concerto no 2 and Ravel’s Piano
have lessons on Steinway, Fazioli and Bechstein grand Concerto for Left Hand, conducted by John Wilson;
pianos, and our recently opened Blüthner Practice Suite Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no 3, conducted by
holds ten Blüthner pianos available for practice. Organists Andrew Gourlay at the Royal Festival Hall; and Hummel’s
have access to our selection of instruments, including our Piano Concerto no 2 in A minor op 85 conducted
magnificent Flentrop organ in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert by Martin André.
Hall, as well as opportunities to play and have lessons on
external organs, such as at the Royal Albert Hall. You are encouraged to form your own RCM chamber
groups, which benefit from unlimited coaching. You can also
Collaborative piano is available at undergraduate level on receive invaluable preparation for international competitions.
a modular basis, and for those at postgraduate level, you In addition, we hold an annual Keyboard Festival, offering
can focus specifically on this art form. Our professors in the whole faculty an opportunity to perform.
collaborative piano are all successful pianists who can
offer singular expertise and insight into this competitive
VISITING ARTISTS
field. You will also have opportunities to work with students
studying in other faculties. We welcome renowned international pianists for
masterclasses, giving you the chance to play for and learn
Our distinguished and experienced professors are drawn from today’s most accomplished performers. Recent visitors
from around the globe and are dedicated to helping you include Emanuel Ax, Dmitri Bashkirov, Olivier Cazal,
develop as a professional musician. Many have successful Adolf Pla, Yury Shadrin, Sir András Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida,
performing careers and our organ professors hold positions Mikhail Voskresensky and Dina Yoffe.
in prestigious churches, including St Sulpice in Paris.

PERCUSSION The RCM has an outstanding Percussion
Faculty. Thanks to the coaching and
openness of our outstanding teachers I’ve
developed the insight and skills I’d need
The Percussion Faculty currently boasts more than to work in the profession.
40 former students in the UK’s leading orchestras. Dan Floyd, Bachelor of Music (Hons)
The backbone of our teaching still has a clear orchestral
focus, but today’s training covers all aspects of
percussion activity and equips you with the essential
skills needed for the profession.
David Hockings, Head of Percussion
PERCUSSION SUITE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
At the Royal College of Music you will benefit from our Opportunities to perform are extensive and include termly
purpose-built percussion suite, opened by Dame Evelyn percussion showcases as well as regular faculty performance
Glennie in 2015. In addition to practice rooms, there classes. In addition to the RCM’s major ensembles and
are spaces dedicated to specific instruments: timpani, orchestras, we also have our very own American drumline,
vibraphone, marimba and orchestral, as well as a multi- the Redhocks, and our percussion quartet, PERC’M.
percussion room for recital and ensemble practice, a large
main space for masterclasses and sectional rehearsals, RCM percussionists enjoy performing in a variety of external
and a bespoke studio room for recording. Both the main venues both in the UK and overseas, and have toured with
room and studio feature recording equipment and the Serge Vuille, She-e Wu and David Hockings.
studio also contains two drum kits, Latin instruments,
vibraphone and keyboards ready for recording sessions. VISITING ARTISTS
You will have the chance to participate in repertoire classes

TEACHING PROVISION with players from the London Symphony Orchestra and
Many of the Percussion Faculty staff members hold BBC Symphony Orchestra as well as masterclasses with
principal positions in major orchestras including the BBC distinguished international musicians. Visitors have included
Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Colin Currie, O Duo, Peter Erskine, David Friedman, Eric
Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera Sammut, She-e Wu and Raphael Haeger, the principal
House, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra of percussionist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
the Age of Enlightenment.
Our annual Festival of Percussion has attracted percussion
At undergraduate level you will receive timpani and ensembles such as Amadinda, O Duo and 4-MALITY; artists
percussion lessons as well as regular lessons on solo such as John Chimes, Benny Greb, Mark Guiliana, Pete
marimba, jazz vibraphone, Latin percussion and drum kit. Lockett, Jojo Mayer, John Riley, Ralph Salmins and Dave
At postgraduate level we offer solo marimba as a principal Weckl; as well as representatives from leading percussion
study on our Master of Performance course. ensembles and major London orchestras.
For a full list of professors in the Percussion Faculty,

please see page 64.
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STRINGS The Strings Faculty offers world-class
teaching with amazing professors. INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
The opportunities that it provides have At the RCM your particular ambitions are recognised and
encouraged, and a unique programme of study is tailored
already made me feel that I am in the to you. Violinists, violists and cellists will work with
The Strings Faculty is a creative community of talented right place. professional accompanists to help develop duo skills.
There are also specific classes and ensemble opportunities
individual artists excited by the study and practice Daniil Margulis, Bachelor of Music (Hons) with expert practitioners for double bass, harp and guitar
of music. We allow you the space to be yourself and students. In addition, students have the opportunity to
perform in a public masterclass led by internationally
to broaden your horizons, and will support you in renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov, the RCM Polonsky
performing at the highest international level. Visiting Professor of Violin.
For a full list of professors in the Strings Faculty, please see

Mark Messenger, Head of Strings pages 64 – 65.
For information on historical strings studies see page 46 or

visit www.rcm.ac.uk/hp
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSORS ORCHESTRAL AND CONCERTO PERFORMANCE
One-to-one lessons with world-class professors are at the Students are offered unparalleled orchestral experiences
heart of your RCM education. Dedicated teaching staff will with our vibrant ensembles, which have regularly performed
offer you invaluable support, and those who have studied in under the baton of renowned conductors such as Vladimir
the department have a proven record of professional acclaim Ashkenazy, Bernard Haitink and Vladimir Jurowski. There
and competition success. Our visiting professors include some are also opportunities to perform as a soloist in concertos;
of today’s greatest musicians, such as Nicola Benedetti, Paul recent student performances have included Brahms’ Double
Ellison, Alina Ibragimova, Maxim Rysanov, Torleif Thedéen, Concerto, Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto, Debussy’s
Maxim Vengerov, RCM Polonsky Visiting Professor of Violin, Danse sacrée et danse profane, Dutilleux’s Sur le même
and guitarist John Williams. accord, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Korngold’s Violin Concerto,
Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no 2, Szymanowski’s Violin
CHAMBER COACHING Concerto and On Opened Ground by Mark-Anthony
Turnage, the RCM Research Fellow for Composition.
Chamber music is a key part of your musical experience
and RCM groups can receive unlimited chamber coaching
from our professors. There are numerous opportunities for
chamber ensembles to perform at internal and external
venues and in festivals, collaborations and competitions.
You can also benefit from the expertise of our Ensemble
in Association, the Sacconi Quartet, and our Quartet
in Residence, the Harlem Quartet.
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WOODWIND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Our woodwind graduates are enjoying unrivalled success WATCH

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Woodwind Faculty have won the Royal Over-Seas League

Our professors combine careers as eminent performers Gold Medal on the last three occasions it was awarded
to a woodwind player, between 2016 and 2020. RCM
with a passion and dedication for teaching. By providing musicians have been awarded principal woodwind positions
GET IN TOUCH
woodwind@rcm.ac.uk
a supportive and challenging environment and offering with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony
FIND OUT MORE
Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra,
extensive performance opportunities, I want to encourage KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Great Falls
www.rcm.ac.uk/woodwind
you to find your own voice on your instrument. Symphony Orchestra (Montana), RTÉ Concert Orchestra,
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, English
National Opera Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Simon Channing, Head of Woodwind
and Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
For a full list of professors in the Woodwind Faculty, please

see page 66.
For information on historical woodwind studies see page 46

or visit www.rcm.ac.uk/hp
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT VISITING ARTISTS
The Woodwind Faculty and the wider RCM community You will be able to attend regular faculty masterclasses with
foster a culture of nurturing all students in a supportive distinguished international musicians. Recent visitors have
environment. You are encouraged to grow into a confident included the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet and the Royal
and imaginative performer, taking advantage of all the Concertgebouw Orchestra Wind Quintet, as well as Petri
opportunities available to you. Alanko, Juliette Bausor, Arno Bornkamp, Samuel Coles, Ole
Kristian Dahl, Sir James Galway, Paolo De Gaspari, Romain
At the heart of your experience are one-to-one lessons with Guyot, Melanie Henry, Giorgio Mandolesi, Maximiliano
world-class professors, many of whom are principal players Martín, Gerard McChrystal, Gustavo Núñez, Miriam Pastor
in major orchestras. We are always looking to develop and Burgos, Naomi Sullivan, Jacques Tys, Anna Marie Wytko
progress as a faculty, and some of our latest professorial and Nikita Zimin.
appointments have included five principals of major London
orchestras; Juliana Koch (Principal Oboe), Adam Walker
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
(Principal Flute) and Olivier Stankiewicz (Principal Oboe) from
the London Symphony Orchestra; Emily Hultmark (Principal The RCM provides unparalleled orchestral opportunities from
Bassoon) from the Philharmonia; and Roberto Giaccaglia your first year here. The RCM Philharmonic and Symphony
(Principal Bassoon) from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Orchestras regularly work with some of the best conductors
in the world and recent visitors have included Bernard
Haitink, Vladimir Jurowski, Sir Antonio Pappano, John Wilson
and Thomas Zehetmair.
Concerts and performance classes There is also a vibrant chamber music culture and you are
provide opportunities to learn as a encouraged to form ensembles. All RCM chamber groups
musician and to thrive. From day one can benefit from unlimited coaching and there are numerous
opportunities for you to perform chamber repertoire.
I have felt so inspired by the positive
and supportive atmosphere.
Rianna Henriques, Bachelor of Music (Hons)

VOCAL BESPOKE TRAINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
& OPERA As a student-centric institution, we keep the individual’s needs

at the heart of our teaching. You will work on developing a
secure and flexible vocal technique with the help of our team
Singers at the RCM enjoy both professional and
competitive success around the globe. Recent international
competition recognitions include the Kathleen Ferrier
of internationally acclaimed vocal professors and repertoire Awards, Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International
and operatic coaches. Our comprehensive range of classes Song Competition, International Competition of Belcanto
In Vocal & Opera we welcome imaginative, curious and will enhance all aspects of your craft and enable you to Vincenzo Bellini, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Grange
present yourself with confidence, authority and autonomy in Festival International Singing Competition and the Cesti and
self-motivated individuals with a desire to communicate a professional context. Göttingen competitions.
their love of singing to an audience. You will become There are numerous performance opportunities to explore RCM singers have frequently performed on the world’s
modern and period works in regular collaborations with greatest operatic and concert hall stages, including the
part of a faculty with an exceptional record that develops the Composition and Historical Performance faculties. Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Théâtre des Champs-
its students to reach their full potential. We initiate cross-faculty song, chamber music and thematic- Élysées, Theater an der Wien, Metropolitan Opera New
based projects working with distinguished artists both within York, Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Carnegie Hall
Nicholas Sears, Head of Vocal & Opera and outside of the RCM. and the Royal Albert Hall. Our graduates regularly progress
onto internationally renowned young artist programmes
VISITING ARTISTS such as the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist
Development Programme, Houston Grand Opera Studio,
We welcome some of the finest international artists for our National Opera Studio, Bayerische Staatsoper Studio,
regular masterclass series. Recent visitors have included Frankfurt Ensemble, l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra national
Sir Thomas Allen, Sophie Bevan, Dame Sarah Connolly, de Paris, ENO Harewood Young Artists, Zurich Opera
Gerald Finley, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Dame Kiri Te Young Artists Programme and the Jette Parker Young Artist
Kanawa, Simon Keenlyside, Ann Murray, Brindley Sherratt, Programme at the Royal Opera House.
Roger Vignoles, Edith Wiens and Roderick Williams.
For a full list of professors in the Vocal & Opera Faculty,
please see pages 66 – 67.
I feel extremely lucky to be

studying in a place that has
access to so many contacts
in the profession and
opportunities to explore the
expansive music scene in
London and beyond.
Laurence Kilsby, Bachelor of Music (Hons)
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RCM OPERA Image right
STUDIO
Student from the RCM
Opera Studio performs in
a production of Bernstein’s
Trouble in Tahiti
The Royal College of Music Opera Studio (RCMOS) GET IN TOUCH

opera@rcm.ac.uk
offers one of the leading advanced training courses in FIND OUT MORE
www.rcm.ac.uk/operastudio
the world. Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment,
building on the skills, artistry and confidence of our
young singers, so that they leave fully prepared to meet
the demands of the profession.
Michael Rosewell, Director of Opera
As part of an elite and carefully constituted group of PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP

exceptionally talented young singers, you will benefit
In addition to receiving regular core training, you will gain
from rigorous training, sensitive to your individual needs
unique artistic and professional insights through mentorship
and responsive to the demands of the profession. You
by internationally renowned artists including Sir Thomas
will work regularly with a team of coaches, musicians
Allen, Alessandro Corbelli, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and
and theatre professionals drawn from the senior ranks of
David Pountney. Career development and support is an
the country’s leading opera companies and perform in
integral part of your studies, and we have recently held
acclaimed productions in the first-class Britten Theatre.
a series of virtual mentorship sessions with the eminent
baritone Gerald Finley, Sophie Joyce of l’Opéra national
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES de Paris and Richard Hetherington of the Royal Opera
Replicating professional conditions is the hallmark of the House, as well as with leading classical music agents. The
RCM’s approach to operatic training, in order to ensure RCM’s Centre for Performance Science will also assist you
a transition into the world of work. We have traditionally in gathering the information and skills necessary for the
launched a number of RCMOS opera productions each development of your future professional career.
year as well as sets of fully staged opera scenes in the
For a full list of professors in the RCM Opera Studio, please
Britten Theatre. You will have the benefit of rehearsing and
see page 67.
performing with highly experienced, influential industry
professionals, who occupy key posts at the great opera
houses of Europe and beyond.
The standard of teaching and
coaching in the RCM Vocal & Opera
Faculty is incredible. I have learned
so much from the internationally
acclaimed vocal coaches that teach
at the RCM and owe so much of my
development as an artist to them.
Jessica Cale, Artist Diploma in Opera

RCM
BRASS COMPOSITION
PROFESSORS HEAD OF BRASS

Nigel Black FRCM
JAZZ TRUMPET
(second or related study only)
HEAD OF COMPOSITION
William Mival MMus, FHEA, FRCM
Martin Shaw GRSM, LRAM
PRINCE CONSORT PROFESSOR PRINCE CONSORT PROFESSOR
Håkan Hardenberger LEAD TRUMPET Colin Matthews FRCM
VISITING PROFESSOR OF HORN Mike Lovatt HonARAM, GTCL, LTCL RCM RESEARCH FELLOW
IN COMPOSITION
Stefan Dohr
TENOR TROMBONE Mark-Anthony Turnage FRCM
VISITING PROFESSOR Byron Fulcher GGSM

OF TRUMPET AREA LEADER IN MASTERS
Robert Holliday GRNCM, PPRNCM PROGRAMMES IN COMPOSITION
Gustav Melander Matthew Knight BA(Hons), Jonathan Cole MMus, PhD, FRCM
MA(Cantab), DipRAM, ARAM
HORN Lindsay Shilling ARCM, FRCM COMPOSITION
Nigel Black FRCM Becky Smith BMus(Hons) Dai Fujikura PhD
Jeffrey Bryant FRAM, FCSM Kenneth Hesketh MMus, DipRCM,
Kira Doherty ARAM, DipRAM BASS TROMBONE ARCM
Timothy Jones James Buckle BMus(Hons), ARAM, Simon Holt FRNCM
Simon Rayner ARCM, FRCM LRAM Alison Kay BA, ARCM, MMus, DPhil
John Ryan BMus(Hons), GSMD Paul Milner PPRNCM Haris Kittos BA, MMus, DMus
John Thurgood GRSM, ARCM David Stewart GGSM Errollyn Wallen CBE
TRUMPET JAZZ AND LEAD TROMBONE AREA LEADER IN MASTERS

(second or related study only) PROGRAMMES IN COMPOSITION
Nicholas Betts AGSM FOR SCREEN
Richard Edwards
Mark Calder DRSAMD Dimitri Scarlato DMus
David Elton BMus(Hons), MMus
TUBA
Jason Evans BMus(Hons), VISITING PROFESSOR IN
Owen Slade COMPOSITION FOR SCREEN
LRSM, DipABRSM, AMusTCL
Peter Smith BMus(Hons), ARAM, LRAM George Fenton FRCM
James Fountain BMus, GSMD
Eleftherios Tsarmaklis
Niall Keatley BMus(Hons)
COMPOSITION FOR SCREEN
Kate Moore GGSM
Mike Ladouceur (assistant professor)
Daniel Newell BMus, GSMD
Maurizio Malagnini MMus
Alan Thomas BMus(Hons),
PGDip (Perf) Enrica Sciandrone MMus
Francis Shaw BMus, GLCM, ALCM
ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC COMPOSITION
Gilbert Nouno MA, PhD
Michael Oliva BA, MA, DMus
(Area Leader in Electro-Acoustic Music)
For more information on the For more information on the

Brass Faculty please see page 40. Composition Faculty please see
page 42.
For information on natural horn
and natural trumpet see page 46

CONDUCTING HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE KEYBOARD
HEAD OF CONDUCTING CHAIR & HEAD OF HISTORICAL BRASS VISITING PROFESSOR CHAIR OF INTERNATIONAL Dorian Leljak BMus (summa cum
PERFORMANCE OF HISTORICAL FLUTE KEYBOARD STUDIES, HEAD OF laude), MA, MMus, MMA, DMA
Toby Purser MA, DipPerf RAM, ARAM Susan Addison ARCM sackbut
KEYBOARD & ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Professor Ashley Solomon FRAM, Wilbert Hazelzet FRCM (Yale University)
Roger Montgomery BA(Hons), FOR PARTNERSHIPS IN CHINA
POSTGRADUATE PROFESSORS FRCM, HonRCM Leon McCawley BMus (Curtis Institute),
GSMD natural horn Professor Vanessa Latarche FRCM,
OF CONDUCTING VISITING PROFESSOR ARCM Hons
Paul Sharp BMus(Hons) HonARAM, FTCL, LRAM, ARCM
Peter Stark HonDMus, HonFTCL, PRINCE CONSORT PROFESSOR OF RECORDER
natural trumpet Mengyang Pan MMus, ArtDip
OF HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE Walter van Hauwe
HonARAM, GRSM, ARCM
Richard Thomas BMus, MA, LRAM, DEPUTY HEAD OF KEYBOARD Dina Parakhina MADip, PGDip,
Sir Roger Norrington CBE, FRCM
Howard Williams BMus, MA, Postgraduate Diploma (Moscow
ARAM cornett, natural trumpet WOODWIND Ian Jones BMus, ARCM, DipRCM,
HonARAM Conservatory), FRCM
CHAIR OF HISTORICAL Lisa Beznosiuk GGSM, HonRCM FRCM
PERFORMANCE VISITING PROFESSOR
historical flute Alexander Romanovsky PGDip, ArtDiP
UNDERGRADUATE PROFESSOR OF VIOLA DA GAMBA
OF CONDUCTING Professor Colin Lawson CBE, VISITING PROFESSORS Edna Stern Solisten Dip (Basel)
Rachel Brown BMus, PPRNCM,
MA (Oxon), MA, PhD, DMus, FRCM, Vittorio Ghielmi OF PIANO
Natalia Luis-Bassa BMus, PGDip, GRNCM historical flute Kathron Sturrock ARCM
FRNCM, FLCM, HonRAM Barry Douglas CBE, FRCM
MMus Julien Feltrin MMus contemporary Richard Uttley MA (Cantab), MPerf,
STRINGS John Lill CBE, HonDMus, HonDSc,
recorder and recorder consort ArtDip
PRINCE CONSORT PROFESSOR ENSEMBLE IN ASSOCIATION Richard Boothby BMus FRCM, FTCL, FLCM
Nancy Hadden BMus, MA Ashley Wass BMus, PGDip, ARAM
OF CONDUCTING Florilegium viola da gamba
renaissance flute Andrew Zolinsky DipRCM
Martyn Brabbins BMus, MMus, Adrian Butterfield MA, ARCM PIANO
Gail Hennessy historical oboe
HonDMus (Bristol), LGSM, FRCM CHAIR OF HISTORICAL KEYBOARD historical violin Professor Dmitri Alexeev PGDip
INSTRUMENTS Professor Colin Lawson CBE, PRINCE CONSORT PROFESSOR
Bojan Čičić historical violin (Moscow Conservatory), FRCM
MA (Oxon), MA, PhD, DMus, OF COLLABORATIVE PIANO
RECENT VISITING CONDUCTORS Professor Terence Charlston MA, (Chair of Advanced Piano)
Carina Cosgrave historical bass
MMus, FRCO, ARAM, FRCM FRCM, FRNCM, FLCM, HonRAM Roger Vignoles BA, MusB, FRCM,
Vladimir Ashkenazy William Hunt MA violone Andrew Ball BA, FRCM
harpsichord, clavichord, historical clarinet HonRAM
Nicholas Collon Reiko Ichise viola da gamba John Byrne Dip (Moscow
continuo organ María Martínez Ayerza MMus,
Andrew Gourlay Conservatory), ARCM, ARAM, COLLABORATIVE PIANO
Frances Kelly historical harp MA recorder and renaissance
DipRAM, GRNCM, PPRNCM
Bernard Haitink VISITING PROFESSOR OF Jakob Lindberg ARCM, FRCM lute, recorder consort Elizabeth Burley ARCM, FRCM
HARPSICHORD AND ORGAN Nigel Clayton BMus, ARCM, FRCM
Vladimir Jurowski archlute, theorbo and historical guitar Barnaby Robson AGSM (orchestral piano specialist)
Ton Koopman historical clarinet Danny Driver MA (Cantab), Nigel Clayton BMus, ARCM, FRCM
Holly Mathieson Catherine Martin BA(Hons) (Oxon),
PGDip (RCM)
Sir Roger Norrington LGSM historical violin, viola d’amore Professor Ashley Solomon FRAM, Julian Jacobson MA, GRSM, ARCM
KEYBOARD FRCM, HonRCM recorder Gordon Fergus-Thompson FRCM
Rafael Payare Sarah McMahon historical cello Simon Lepper MA, LRAM,
Jane Chapman BA, HonRCM, Wouter Verschuren MMus Norma Fisher FRNCM
Jac van Steen Pablo de Pedro Cano historical viola DipRAM, ARAM
ARCM harpsichord historical bassoon Caterina Grewe BMus, MMus, ArtDip, (Collaborative Piano Co-ordinator
John Wilson Catherine Rimer MMus, GRNCM,
Professor Terence Charlston MA, Konzertexamen and vocal repertoire coach)
LRAM historical cello
MMus, FRCO, ARAM, FRCM Sofya Gulyak MPerf RCM, ArtDipRCM Kathron Sturrock ARCM
harpsichord, clavichord, Jane Rogers historical viola
Niel Immelman FRCM
continuo organ Lucy Russell MA historical violin
Julian Jacobson MA, GRSM, ARCM JAZZ PIANO
Robert Woolley GRSM, ARCM Samuel Stadlen PhD viol consort (second or related study only)
harpsichord, clavichord, Ian Jones BMus, ARCM, DipRCM,
Richard Tunnicliffe historical cello, Michael Moran GRSM, ARCM
continuo organ FRCM
cello continuo
Dinara Klinton (assistant professor)
CONTEMPORARY PIANO
FORTEPIANO Dip (Moscow Conservatory), MPerf,
(Masters only)
ArtDip (RCM)
Geoffrey Govier MFA, MMus, Danny Driver MA (Cantab),
DMA, GRSM, ARCM, LTCL Ilya Kondratiev MPerf, ArtDip
PG Dip (RCM)
Jianing Kong BMus, MMus, ArtDip (RCM)
Richard Uttley MA (Cantab), MPerf,
Professor Vanessa Latarche FRCM, ArtDip
HonARAM, FTCL, LRAM, ARCM
Andrew Zolinsky DipRCM
(Contemporary Piano Co-ordinator)
For more information on Conducting For more information on the

please see page 44. Historical Performance Faculty
please see page 46.

PERCUSSION STRINGS
ORGAN HEAD OF PERCUSSION HEAD OF STRINGS VIOLIN JAZZ VIOLIN AND VIOLA VISITING PROFESSOR
(second or related study only) OF DOUBLE BASS
Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin David Hockings ARCM, FRCM Mark Messenger LRAM, ARAM, Felix Andrievsky Dip and Dip Solo
Deux Premier Prix (CNSMDP) FRCM Performance (Gnessin Musical Christian Garrick Paul Ellison
(improvisation specialist) TIMPANI Institute), FRCM
DOUBLE BASS
Andrew Dewar Grahame King ASSISTANT HEAD OF STRINGS Radu Blidar LMD INTERNATIONAL ARTIST
IN RESIDENCE (VIOLA) Peter Buckoke ARCM, HonRCM
David Graham BMus, ARCM, ARCO, Matt Perry MA, DipRCM Gary Ryan GRSMHons, LRAM, Natalia Boyarsky Dip and Dip
LGSMHons, HonARAM, FRCM Maxim Rysanov Caroline Emery GTCL, LTCL,
FRCM (professor in charge of organ) Chris Ridley BMus, LRAM, ARAM Solo Performance (Gnessin
CertEd, HonRCM
Margaret Phillips FRCO, GRSM, ARCM Musical Institute)
ASSISTANT HEAD OF STRINGS VISITING PROFESSOR Anthony Hougham LTCL, GTCL
BAROQUE TIMPANI (ORCHESTRAL STRINGS) Jiafeng Chen OF VIOLA
ORGAN SUPPORTING STUDIES Gabriele Ragghianti
Adrian Bending ARAM Michal Cwizewicz DipRCM Sheng Li (Shanghai Conservatory)
Gabrielle Lester
Andrew McCrea BMus, MMus, Enno Senft DipMus (Cologne/Vienna)
Detlef Hahn
ARCM, ARCO PERCUSSION VIOLA Neil Tarlton
LUTHIER SERVICES Lutsia Ibragimova
Andy Barclay DipRCM, HonARAM Florian Leonhard Fine Violins Jonathan Barritt
PIANO WORKSHOP: Leonid Kerbel
VISITING PROFESSORS OF HARP
HEAD OF KEYBOARD Owen Gunnell BMus(Hons) Nathan Braude
Gabrielle Lester
TECHNICAL SERVICES ENSEMBLE IN ASSOCIATION Stephen Fitzpatrick (orchestral training)
Alex Neal GRSM(Hons), DipRCM Ida Bryhn
Adrian Levine ARAM, FRSA
Chris Moulton HonRCM Sacconi Quartet Marisa Robles
Sam Walton BMus(Hons), LRAM, Antonello Farulli
Natalia Lomeiko BMus
ARAM
Mark Messenger LRAM, ARAM, FRCM Susie Mészáros HARP
QUARTET IN RESIDENCE
JAZZ VIBRAPHONE Susie Mészáros Simon Rowland-Jones Daphne Boden ARCM, FRCM,
Harlem Quartet
Anthony Kerr Madeleine Mitchell MMus (Eastman Andriy Viytovych Concert Artists HonARAM, Premier Prix (Conservatoire
POLONSKY VISITING USA), GRSM, ARCM (Perf Hons), Diploma Royal de Bruxelles), FRSA
DRUM KIT PROFESSOR OF VIOLIN ARCM (Teacher’s Hons) FRSA, FISM Yuri Zhislin DipHons, ARCM Jana Boušková
Ralph Salmins AGSM, FHEA Maxim Vengerov Maciej Rakowski MA, Dip Solo Ieuan Jones ARCM, DipRCM, FRCM
Performance VISITING PROFESSOR OF CELLO
LATIN PERCUSSION INTERNATIONAL ARTIST IN Itzhak Rashkovsky BMus, MMus, Torleif Thedéen VISITING PROFESSOR
RESIDENCE (VIOLIN) OF GUITAR
Hugh Wilkinson BMus(Hons) FRCM, HonRCM
Alina Ibragimova MBE, FRCM CELLO John Williams
Jan Repko
MARIMBA Alastair Blayden DipRCM (perf),
VISITING PROFESSORS Daniel Rowland GUITAR
Daniella Ganeva LGSM DipRCM (teaching)
OF VIOLIN Sasha Rozhdestvensky
Alexander Boyarsky Dip and Dip Carlos Bonell HonRCM
Alexander Gilman Ani Schnarch ARCM, Artist DipHons Solo Performance (Gnessin Musical Charles Ramirez ARCM
Peter Herresthal (Buchmann-Mehta School of Music), Institute), HonRCM Gary Ryan GRSMHons, LRAM,
Lewis Kaplan BS, MS FRCM
Thomas Carroll LGSMHons, HonARAM, FRCM
(The Juilliard School) Emily Sun (assistant professor)
Alexander Chaushian Chris Stell DipRAM, LRAM, ARAM
Vasko Vassilev Yuri Zhislin DipHons, ARCM
Natalie Clein
Yossi Zivoni FRCM, FRNCM JAZZ GUITAR
Hélène Dautry
Jakob Kullberg
Milton Mermikides
Richard Lester
Melissa Phelps ARCM, FRCM
Amanda Truelove ARCM, DipRCM
(perf), Konzertexamen Diplom
(Dusseldorf)
Raphael Wallfisch
For more information on the For more information on the For more information on the
Keyboard Faculty please see page 48. Percussion Faculty please see Strings Faculty please see page 52.
page 50.
For information on historical For information on historical
keyboard studies see page 46 strings studies please see page 46
or visit www.rcm.ac.uk/hp or visit www.rcm.ac.uk/hp

WOODWIND VOCAL & OPERA
HEAD OF WOODWIND Robert Hill ARCM, ARAM HEAD OF VOCAL AND OPERA REPERTOIRE CLASSES VOCAL REPERTOIRE COACHING OPERATIC REPERTOIRE COACHES
Simon Channing BA (Cantab), Janet Hilton FRCM, ARMCM Nicholas Sears MA (Cantab), FRCM Sally Burgess ARCM, FRCM Nancy Cooley Caroline Dowdle
ARCM, HonRCM, FRCM Richard Hosford ARCM, DipRCM performance class Caroline Dowdle Joyce Fieldsend
(perf), FRCM DEPUTY HEAD OF VOCAL Patrizia Dina BA Italian song
AND OPERA Bryan Evans Anthony Legge
FLUTE
Timothy Lines ARCM, FRCM, DipRCM Audrey Hyland BA, HonARAM Simon Lepper MA, LRAM, Michael Lloyd
Audrey Hyland BA, HonARAM
Katie Bedford BMus, PGDip (RCM) French mélodie and Lieder
Barnaby Robson AGSM DipRAM, ARAM
Simon Channing BA (Cantab), ARCM, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Richard Jackson MA Lieder Gary Matthewman BMus(Hons), SONG COACHES
HonRCM, FRCM E FLAT CLARINET and French mélodie
Sir Thomas Allen PGDip (RCM) Iain Burnside
Gitte Marcusson (second or related study only) Jonathan Peter Kenny historical Joseph Ramadan Audrey Hyland BA, HonARAM
Emer McDonough Peter Davis BA, ARCM, LRAM CHAIR OF VOCAL PERFORMANCE performance classes
Andrew Robinson DipRCM Simon Lepper MA, LRAM, DipRAM,
Susan Milan ARCM (Hons), FRCM, Timothy Lines ARCM, DipRCM, FRCM Janis Kelly FRCM, DRSAMD Norbert Meyn FHEA, LGSM,
Stephen Varcoe MA, PhD ARAM
PGDipGSMD Diplom Gesang Solo (HfM) Lieder
Roger Vignoles BA, MusB, ARCM,
Sue Thomas DipRAM, BMus, BASS CLARINET VISITING PROFESSOR Stephen Roberts GRSM, ARCM ART SONG FRCM, HonRCM
PPRNCM, GRNCM (second or related study only) OF VOCAL AND OPERA oratorio and English song
Iain Burnside
Adam Walker Michael Harris ARCM, FRCM Brindley Sherratt Andrew Robinson DipRCM, Lieder
Audrey Hyland BA, HonARAM MUSIC STAFF
Paul Richards GRSM and French mélodie
JAZZ FLUTE PROFESSORS Nicholas Sears MA (Cantab), FRCM Nicholas Bosworth
Patricia Rozario OBE, BA, AGSM,
(second or related study only) SAXOPHONE Patricia Bardon FRCM English song and oratorio Roger Vignoles BA, MusB, ARCM, Nicholas Cleobury
Andy Panayi Kyle Horch BMus, MMus, HonRCM Graeme Broadbent DipRCM, FRCM, HonRCM John Constable
Nicholas Sears MA (Cantab),
Martin Robertson ARCM, DipRCM Diplomé, DipPG (Moscow FRCM French mélodie Alec Crowe
PICCOLO Conservatory) MOVEMENT
Stephen Varcoe MA, PhD English song Bryan Evans MBE
(second or related study only) Desirée Kongerød
VISITING PROFESSOR Sally Burgess ARCM, FRCM Martin Fitzpatrick
Stewart McIlwham Roger Vignoles BA, MusB, ARCM,
OF BASSOON Roderick Earle MA FRCM, HonRCM song repertoire Lionel Friend
Kathleen Stevenson Ole Kristian Dahl STAGECRAFT AND ACTING
Tim Evans-Jones ARAM, FRCM and duos David Gowland
Olivia Fuchs
PRINCE CONSORT Dinah Harris ARAM, FRCM Richard Hetherington
BASSOON SPEECH AND Saffron van Zwanenburg
PROFESSOR OF OBOE Ben Johnson LANGUAGE CLASSES Anthony Kraus
Joost Bosdijk BMus (Royal
Jacques Tys Conservatoire, The Hague) Justin Lavender AGSM Maria Cleva Italian Natalie Murray Beale
Sarah Burnett MA, DipRAM, LRAM Rosa Mannion BA Florence Daguerre de Hureaux French Michael Pollock MA (Oxon),
OBOE RCM OPERA STUDIO
Andrea de Flammineis David Montague Rendall FRAM, Gerhard Gall German MMus (London), ARCM, HonRAM,
John Anderson ARCM, FRCM ARAM
Martin Gatt HonFGSM, ARCM, FRWCMD
Daniele Guerra ARCM Italian DIRECTOR OF OPERA
Gareth Hulse MA, ARCM Stephen Roberts GRSM, ARCM
FRCM Carmen Santoro
Rosie Jenkins BMus, LRAM, PGDip Christine Legge speech Michael Rosewell FRCM
Roberto Giaccaglia Amanda Roocroft FRNCM, FUCLAN, Peter Selwyn
(oboe reed-making consultant) Johanna Mayr MagPhil, DipTrans,
HonDA, GRNCM, PGRNCM VISITING PROFESSOR Stuart Wild
Emily Hultmark MCIL German
Juliana Koch Patricia Rozario OBE, BA, AGSM,
Stuart Russell BMus, LRAM, PGDip Norbert Meyn German Dame Kiri Te Kanawa DBE,
Olivier Stankiewicz FRCM
(bassoon reed-making consultant) HonDMus
Fabien Thouand MMus Sonja Nerdrum HonRCM French
Peter Savidge MA
Paola Quaglia Italian
CONTRABASSOON Russell Smythe FRCM, AGSM
COR ANGLAIS (second or related study only) Hildburg Williams German
Jeffrey Stewart AGSM
Martin Field ARAM Mark Tucker MA, DipGSM
Jane Marshall AGSM
Sarah Tynan
Christine Pendrill
Veronica Veysey Campbell FTCL,
CLARINET
LTCL, Cert of Advanced Studies (GSMD)
For more information on the Alison Wells BA, ARCM, FHEA For more information on the Vocal &
Michael Collins FRCM, HonRAM
Woodwind Faculty please Opera Faculty please see page 56.
Peter Davis BA, LRAM, ARCM see page 54.
For more information on the RCM
For information on historical Opera Studio please see page 58.
woodwind studies see page 46

70 UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMMES
72 MASTERS
PROGRAMMES
76 ARTIST DIPLOMAS
78 RESEARCH
PROGRAMMES
www.rcm.ac.uk/courses
PROGRAMMES
OF STUDY
UNDERGRADUATE BACHELOR OF MUSIC – BMUS(HONS) PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES
PROGRAMMES The BMus(Hons) programme is a flexible and varied

four- year degree that combines focus on principal study
with faculty activities and a mix of core and optional
In addition to public performance opportunities, our
faculty-based activities include regular performance
classes, orchestral training, chamber music and duo
courses. This programme has been designed so you are coaching, language classes (singers), music technology
able to shape your degree to your aspirations as your (composers) and improvisation (organists). Regular
Our flagship undergraduate programme is the Bachelor practice and strengths develop, bringing in a range of masterclasses and workshops with world-class visiting
modules and opportunities. artists are another highlight.
of Music – BMus(Hons) – for performers and composers.
As an undergraduate you will undertake a rigorous
The course blends tradition, creativity and innovation, curriculum that covers key areas in musicianship, music
METHODS OF TEACHING
leadership (including education), entrepreneurship,

and is designed to prepare you for a multitude of innovation, health and wellbeing and digital skills.
Teaching takes place in a number of ways – individual
principal study tuition, small group tutorials, customised
careers. The BMus(Hons) is driven by our passion for Historical, stylistic and analytical studies are underpinned supervision sessions with academic professors and group
by research-led teaching and student-driven projects. and collaborative work with peers. Innovative digital
music and our unique knowledge of the industry our Throughout your studies you will not only have the technology supports our teaching and your learning in
students will enter on graduation. opportunity to develop your skills further in performance
or composition, but also to focus on other areas that interest
all areas. These different forms of engagement enable
you to build meaningful and lasting relationships with
you. You can find a full list of modules available on the your colleagues and professors.
Dr Christina Guillaumier, Head of Undergraduate Programmes
BMus(Hons) programme at www.rcm.ac.uk/courses
BENEFITS OF THE BMUS(HONS)
PRINCIPAL STUDY
The RCM makes it a priority to provide an undergraduate
You will have weekly individual lessons with your principal experience that is fulfilling and varied, with your health
study faculty professor. Second study tuition in a different and wellbeing paramount. When you start your degree
principal study area is offered to suitable applicants programme you immediately become part of a vibrant
(auditions are held when you begin your studies). Students performing and intellectual community of world-class
with an exceptionally high level of ability in two areas may practitioners and educators. The contacts you create here
follow joint principal studies. We also offer opportunities and the training and knowledge you will receive across
to study instruments related to your principal study (eg jazz all areas of your programme will be of lasting value to you
trumpet for trumpeters, baroque flute for flautists). throughout your career.
Supporting and enhancing your principal study training is Many of our graduates move into a career as a professional
a core syllabus of rigorous academic, practical and performer, decide on further study or move into arts and
research-based work. Much of this is selected on an cultural management, teaching and other related careers.
options basis by you, according to your needs and aims. The possibilities are endless – the choice is yours.
The RCM is an institution that values

its students and encourages musicians
to become the best they can.
FIND OUT MORE
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Bachelor of Music (Hons) www.rcm.ac.uk/undergraduate

MASTERS WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMES: COMPOSITION MASTERS
PROGRAMMES
• Master of Performance: MPerf • Master of Composition: MComp
• Master of Composition: MComp • Master of Music in Composition: MMus (Comp)
• Master of Music in Performance: MMus (Perf)
• Master of Music in Composition: MMus (Comp) Composition-based Masters courses aim to help you
• Master of Education: MEd
develop your composition craft for a wide range of
contexts. This qualification develops your composition
Masters programmes at the Royal College of Music • Master of Performance Science: MSc
skills through a range of intensive training and varied
are designed to prepare you for your future career by PERFORMANCE-BASED MASTERS
performance opportunities, and your studies will be
complemented by options that reflect current vocational and
offering vocational training, professional opportunities • Master of Performance: MPerf professional needs. Such skills are particularly relevant for
Master of Music in Performance: MMus (Perf) those who aim to enter the profession as practitioners at the
and exposure to research at the highest level. •
highest level and who need to meet the current demands of
The RCM’s performance-based Masters courses offer bespoke the music industry.
Professor Natasha Loges, Head of Postgraduate Programmes programmes of study that will give you the support, training
and knowledge needed for the working world of music. Composition at the RCM fosters partnerships with the
College’s numerous gifted instrumentalists. Composers
Your education is delivered by our distinguished and will hear performances of their own works in a variety of
experienced team of professors. Alongside numerous contexts and have the opportunity to benefit from a range
internal performance activities such as masterclasses, of collaborations, which we host regularly with artistic
orchestral projects and workshops, you will have organisations in London and beyond.
opportunities to experience the world of professional
music and research, including side-by-side sit-in schemes
COMPOSITION FOR SCREEN
with London-based orchestras, commissions, external
concerts and tours. You will also be able to participate Our specialist Composition for Screen pathway enables
in faculty-based classes and activities. students to develop advanced skills in composition for
screen, including film, TV and online games. Underpinned
Your programme will be complemented by a wide range of by current industry practices, students develop their
options that include chamber music, orchestral performance, technical expertise, compositional versatility and
teaching skills, music administration, historical performance, professional connections. For further details, visit
conducting, composition, orchestration and arrangement, www.rcm.ac.uk/compforscreen
musicians’ health and wellbeing, women in music and the
psychology of performance.
WHICH MASTERS PROGRAMME IS
FOR ME?
The MPerf and MComp programmes provide concentrated
training to advanced musicians preparing to enter the
profession. The MMus programme develops your critical
and research skills alongside your training as a performer
or composer. This programme is ideal preparation for
those who are interested in doctoral research or high-level
teaching within the music profession.
All our masters programmes are flexibly delivered to suit

your needs and requirements.
I am fascinated by the variety of original and

replica instruments available to students,
including the RCM Museum’s fantastic keyboard
collection. The quality of teaching, especially
one-to-one lessons, is exceptional and has
really allowed me to develop as a musician.
FIND OUT MORE
Gergely Tóth-Vajna, Master of Music www.rcm.ac.uk/postgraduate

MSC IN PERFORMANCE SCIENCE
The MSc programme is taught by the Centre for Performance
Science, a partnership of the RCM and Imperial College
London. It provides the opportunity to undertake research
in the art and science of performance in a real-world
educational and professional context. This research-based
course delivers a scientific understanding of how music is
performed, taught, created and perceived.
The MSc can prepare you for a future career, including

doctoral research and/or teaching, in performance science,
arts-in-health, music psychology or musicians’ wellbeing, or
in any area in which knowledge of psychology and social
scientific methods would be an advantage. For more details
visit www.rcm.ac.uk/msc
MASTER OF EDUCATION
The MEd is an advanced taught degree programme with
research elements, designed for teaching musicians who
want to examine the social, cultural and educational impact
of their professional practice, such as music workshop
leaders/facilitators, teachers, ensemble/choir directors and
coaches, and professional performers such as animateurs and
orchestral players whose work includes educational activities.
The MEd learning environment is dynamic and interactive,

with a combination of modules that will stimulate discussion
and analysis of your own practice. The programme
will support you in developing your knowledge and
understanding of a range of concepts and ideas related
to music education. This will culminate in a research project
on an area of your choice.
The programme is available full-time for a year, or part-time

over a period of two to four years, with flexibility around
individual circumstances. It is designed to fit around a
professional musician’s portfolio of other commitments.
For more details visit www.rcm.ac.uk/med
OTHER AWARDS
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can be awarded to
students who have completed 120 credits of a Masters
programme.
The Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance is available

to vocal students as a bridge to postgraduate study.
FLEXIBILITY
Allowing you to study in a way that suits you is important to
Image above
us. Most Masters programmes are also available part-time
Group work on our Master of
and selected programmes are available in a 12-month, Education programme
fast-track format, subject to approval. International students
should note that full-time study is required on a Student Visa.
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/postgraduate

ARTIST The Artist Diploma in Performance at the
RCM is so well designed for students – there
DIPLOMAS is enough freedom and flexibility within the

course to shape it according to our goals, but
there is also sufficient guidance and expertise
when we need it throughout our journey.
The Artist Diploma is aimed at those who can
Tolga Atalay Un, Artist Diploma in Performance
demonstrate advanced ability at Masters level
and would like to work intensively on further
artistic development. The focus is on one-to-one
provision and practical project work that you
tailor to your individual career aspirations.
The RCM offers Artist Diplomas in Opera, Composition and ARTIST DIPLOMA IN COMPOSITION
Performance, including a Répétiteur strand.
The Artist Diploma in Composition is designed for students
who want to work intensively on the technique and practice
ARTIST DIPLOMA IN OPERA of composition. It provides time for concentrated study
The Artist Diploma in Opera is based in the RCM Opera with a principal study composition teacher or teachers and
Studio. It is designed for students who have the potential enables sustained focus on one or more specific projects
to become professional operatic singers. The programme leading to a final portfolio submission.
provides you with extensive individual and class provision,
as well as performance opportunities in operatic scenes
and fully staged productions.
ARTIST DIPLOMA IN PERFORMANCE

The Artist Diploma in Performance is for students who wish
to work intensively on solo performance as a prelude to
entering the music profession. It allows time for preparation
of concerts, recitals and competitions.
The Artist Diploma in Performance (Répétiteur) offers pianists

hands-on experience in the preparation of performances at
Image right
the RCM and provides working sessions with senior staff from A student playing our
the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. This programme new Kennedy-Mietker
will be offered from 2022/23. For more information please harpsichord for a
streamed concert
visit www.rcm.ac.uk/repetiteur
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/artdip

RESEARCH My experience as a doctoral
student at College has been
PROGRAMMES wonderful. My supervisors

support me in every aspect
of my research. It’s been
great to be in this atmosphere
Research degrees are for those wishing to of growth, development
undertake advanced research in the areas and professionalism.
of performance, composition, musicology, Gigi Chi Ying Lam, doctoral student
music education or performance science.
You will devise and undertake a unique research project,

supported by a team of experienced academics with
practical supervision designed with flexibility to suit your
needs. Your independent work is supplemented with ongoing
research training and preparation for your future career.
DOCTOR OF MUSIC (DMUS)

The Doctor of Music (DMus) research degree is for outstanding
performers and composers who wish to explore research
questions arising directly from their artistic practice. You will
submit a substantial portfolio of practical work in performance
or composition, supplemented by an extended commentary.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degree focuses on
musicological and scientific approaches to questions arising
out of performance and composition. You will submit a written
dissertation, which may include supporting practical work.
It is possible during the degree to move between PhD

and DMus depending on how your individual research
project evolves.
FIND OUT MORE

www.rcm.ac.uk/researchdegrees

82 HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
83 VISIT US
84 APPLYING & AUDITIONS
86 FEES & FUNDING
www.rcm.ac.uk/apply
HOW TO
APPLY
HOW TO VISIT US
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to talk to someone about applying to the Our prospectus and website will tell you everything you
Royal College of Music, feel free to contact our friendly need to know about studying at the RCM, but the best
Admissions team who will be happy to advise you. way to discover what life is truly like here is to visit us.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES SOCIAL MEDIA OPEN DAYS TOURS

The RCM welcomes applications from students with You can find out more about life at the RCM, our students, Our Open Days take place each spring and are designed If you can’t come to our Open Day, you may like to consider
disabilities. If you would like to discuss your particular needs alumni and events by following us on social media: to give prospective students, parents and teachers the a tour of our building and facilities.
in confidence, you are welcome to contact our Student chance to explore what the College has to offer. With
Services team at studentservices@rcm.ac.uk performances, faculty introductions and informative Tours are led by an RCM student or a member of staff.
/royalcollegeofmusic
sessions, it’s a great way to discover life at the RCM. Our tour leaders are friendly and welcoming, and will
For more information see www.rcm.ac.uk/openday happily answer any questions you may have. Places are
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS @RCMLondon
subject to availability. To book please visit our website at
International students interested in applying to study www.rcm.ac.uk/studenttours
/RCMLondon EVENTS
at the Royal College of Music can find out more at
www.rcm.ac.uk/international Our events feature the world-class talents of our students You can also watch our campus tour video at
@RCMLondon www.rcm.ac.uk/watchcampustour
and staff as well as regular visits from internationally
We also have dedicated webpages for the renowned artists. Tickets for many events are free and
following countries: RCMLondon
others start from as little as £5. Find out more at EXPLORE ONLINE
www.rcm.ac.uk/events
www.rcm.ac.uk/china Weibo.com/RCMLondon If visiting is not possible before making an application, our
www.rcm.ac.uk/hongkong website contains full application information and course
www.rcm.ac.uk/japan breakdowns, and our YouTube channel is home to videos
www.rcm.ac.uk/singapore from all our faculties and our performance archive. You can
RCM ADMISSIONS FIND OUT MORE WATCH
www.rcm.ac.uk/southkorea also explore our series of interactive digital exhibitions from
admissions@rcm.ac.uk www.rcm.ac.uk/visit www.youtube.com/
www.rcm.ac.uk/usa +44 (0)20 7591 4362 RCMLondon the RCM’s historic collections at www.rcm.ac.uk/exhibitions

APPLYING & 06 PREPARE FOR YOUR
AUDITION* 08 AUDITIONS BY
RECORDING
AUDITIONS The Royal College of Music holds auditions in London

and several overseas venues. You can find out more
at www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionlocations
Whilst it is preferable to audition live where possible, if you
are unable to attend an audition venue in person, the option
of auditioning by video recording will be available to all
applicants for all principal studies for 2022 entry, other than
London auditions take place in late November/December, for the second round of conducting auditions.
This section takes you through what you need to think although a small number of auditions may be held
in February if places are still available. Any student who auditions in person or by video for a place
about when applying to the Royal College of Music. on a performance or composition programme beginning in
Full information is available at www.rcm.ac.uk/apply Applicants who are unable to attend auditions in person
can submit a video audition.
September 2022 will automatically be considered for
a scholarship or study award.
The RCM issues a list of prescribed audition pieces, which If you wish to be auditioned by recording you must submit
can be found under the relevant faculty on our website both your application and recording by the deadline.
at www.rcm.ac.uk/faculties. Performers may also be For more details see www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionsbyrecording
asked to undertake a short sight-reading exercise, and
in some cases asked to play scales, arpeggios or other
technical exercises. Composers are considered for entry
primarily on the basis of their portfolio of compositions,
and only shortlisted applicants are invited for interview.
09 RESPOND TO YOUR
OFFER
Offers are made to successful applicants through UCAS

*Audition dates and venues correct at time of publication but may be subject to
change. See www.rcm.ac.uk/auditions for latest information. Conservatoires, along with details of any conditions
that must be met. The RCM aims to inform applicants of
their result as soon after the audition period as possible.
Successful applicants who have accepted offers of places
07 ATTEND YOUR will receive further details about consultation lessons,

AUDITION choosing a professor, registration and orientation.
01 EXPERIENCE AN
OPEN DAY 04 APPLY
Most auditions and interviews last approximately 15–20
minutes. All those auditioning will be given 15–20 minutes
Find out what RCM life is like during our annual Open Day. In most cases applications to study at the Royal to warm up, and there is no theory test. If you audition
For more information see www.rcm.ac.uk/openday College of Music should be made online through the in London, for some instruments and for voice you may
UCAS Conservatoires application service at be asked to perform at a second audition on the same
www.ucas.com/conservatoires. For Doctoral studies you day. An accompanist will be provided for candidates
must apply directly to the Royal College of Music. For full auditioning in London, unless you wish to bring your own.
02 CHECK THE APPLICATION

DEADLINES
details visit www.rcm.ac.uk/doctoral
The conservatoire recruitment cycle is different to

universities, so you will need to apply much earlier; The teachers I work with at
applications for entry in September 2022 will open in
July 2021. The closing date for auditions in London for
05 PAY YOUR APPLICATION
AND AUDITION FEES the RCM are leaders in their
performance and composition courses is 1 October 2021. Application and assessment fees must be paid when fields worldwide, and I feel
The closing date for our overseas audition venues and making your online application. These cover the cost very lucky to be instructed
some postgraduate courses vary. For up-to-date details of administering your audition, portfolio assessment or
visit www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionlocations
and inspired by them.
interview and are non-refundable. Assessment fees range
from £100–£115 depending on your audition location/
Ruby Orlowska, Master of Music in Performance
method and degree programme; the application fee for
joint principal study is £160. Applications made via UCAS USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS
03 CHECK THE ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS
Conservatoires incur an additional £26.50 application
fee. Late applications are subject to a further fee of £10.
UCAS Conservatoires applicant helpline
0371 468 0470
Full details of our entry requirements are available online Fees are correct at the time of going to print. The most +44 ( 0 )330 333 0232 (overseas)
on our individual course pages at www.rcm.ac.uk/courses. up-to-date information on assessment fees can be found
If your first language is not English, you must also be able to on our website at www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionlocations RCM Admissions
achieve a satisfactory standard in an approved English test. +44 ( 0 )20 7591 4362
Audition fee waivers are available for UK applicants to admissions@rcm.ac.uk
the BMus course from low income backgrounds. For more WATCH www.rcm.ac.uk/auditions
information visit www.rcm.ac.uk/bmus www.rcm.ac.uk/watchaudition

FEES & NON-UK STUDENTS
Every effort has been made to ensure
that the information here is fair and
FUNDING
accurate at the time of publication.
It is essential that you have the means to pay your fees Information on programmes, fees
and services contained within this
and living expenses for the duration of your course before publication are subject to occasional
leaving your own country. Most students need to budget changes, and no guarantee can be
given that these will not be made
at least £12,500 per year for living costs. If you require following publication.
a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need to
For the most up-to-date information
demonstrate that you have at least £12,006** to cover on our programmes visit www.rcm.ac.uk
The Royal College of Music can offer you a range of living expenses for the first year of your course.
support to help you to finance your studies at our world- **Information correct at time of publication
Any complaints concerning the fairness
or accuracy of this publication should
class conservatoire. be addressed to prospectus@rcm.ac.uk
TUITION FEES AND FEE STATUS SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES © Royal College of Music 2021
Whether students pay the Home or Overseas tuition RCM scholarships are available to students on our Photo credits
fee depends on a number of factors, including nationality performance and composition courses, with more than 50% Chris Barrett:
and country of residence. Find out more about the fee of full-time students receiving some financial support. A small 21
regulations for England at www.rcm.ac.uk/feestatus number of grants are also available to help with unexpected Chris Christodoulou:
study costs throughout the year. Cover image and pages 2–3, 9, 11,
13, 16, 20, 21, 38, 44, 46, 52, 55,
Tuition fees are revised annually so please check 59, 68, 80
www.rcm.ac.uk/fees for the latest information and Bursaries are offered to assist with the cost of doctoral
an up-to-date full list of fees for all programmes. As a studies, and details of how to apply will be sent to successful Daniel Dettwiler:
Page 20
guide, annual fees for 2021/22 were: applicants. At present there are no scholarships available
for the MSc and MEd programmes. For more details see Adam Ferguson:
Pages 10, 37, 40, 56, 70, 77
www.rcm.ac.uk/scholarships
Home Overseas Clara Garde:
Page 19
BMus(Hons) £9,250 £25,300 LOANS AND GRANTS
Alexander Kustov:
Graduate Diploma in Vocal £12,500 £26,400 Student loans are available to England-domiciled UK students Pages 24–25
Performance on the BMus(Hons), Masters and Doctoral programmes.
PRS for Music:
MPerf/MMus/MComp £12,100 £26,400 For further details visit www.gov.uk/student-finance. Separate Page 20
(£11,750 for students arrangements apply to students from Wales, Scotland and
progressing to Year 2) Lluc Queralt:
Northern Ireland. Page 18
MPerf/MMus in Vocal £12,500 £26,400
Performance The RCM is designated as an eligible institution for American Natalie Roe:
Page 35
students to apply for US Federal Student Loans or for
MMus (fast-track) £15,400 £32,500
deferment of payment on an existing US student loan. Phil Rowley:
MEd*/MSc* £7,300 £17,600 For more detailed information visit www.rcm.ac.uk/usloans Pages 5, 6, 14, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31,
32, 33, 42, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 57,
60, 72, 74–75, 78–79, 82, 83
ArtDip in Composition/ £11,900 £26,400
Performance (including
There may be access to grants and awards in your home
Charlotte Smallwood:
répétiteur strand) country for study abroad. Consult your local British Council Page 19
representative for details.
ArtDip in Opera £14,100 £26,900
Emily Turkanik:
Page 21
DMus/PhD £7,300 £17,600 OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Design by studioparallel.co.uk
*charged pro-rata, based on credits You can find guidance on funding and scholarships at
the RCM at www.rcm.ac.uk/funding including advice for
EU STUDENTS UK and overseas students, a list of key external funding
The RCM has a long tradition of welcoming students organisations and helpful tips on how to approach them.
from all over the world, in particular from our European
neighbours. EU students play an essential role in College PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
life and this has not changed following the UK’s departure Once at the RCM you will have access to our Creative
from the EU. We welcome applications from EU students Careers Centre, where a dedicated team offers a wide
for 2022 entry and beyond. Students who have Settled range of free services, from help with filling in application
or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Withdrawal Agreement forms to finding paid employment.
may qualify to pay Home fees and access tuition fee loans,
provided they meet the residency requirements. Depending
on the length of residence in the UK, they may also qualify
for maintenance loans. For the latest information on EU FIND OUT MORE
matters, including tuition fees, visit www.rcm.ac.uk/eu www.rcm.ac.uk/funding

Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BS
United Kingdom
+44(0)20 7591 4300

info@rcm.ac.uk
www.rcm.ac.uk
/royalcollegeofmusic
@RCMLondon
/RCMLondon
@RCMLondon
RCMLondon
eibo.com/
W
RCMLondon
Patron
Her Majesty The Queen
President
His Royal Highness
The Prince of Wales
Chairman
Lord Black of Brentwood
Director
Professor Colin Lawson
CBE, MA (Oxon), MA,
PhD, DMus, FRCM,
FRNCM, FLCM, HonRAM
The Royal College of Music is

a registered charity.
No 309268
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THE RCM IS

02 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 03

STUDY AT THE From magnificent performance spaces to state-of-the-art

OF MUSIC facilities for our students.

04 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 05

LIFE AT THE RCM FACULTIES

08 Welcome to the RCM 40 Brass

PROGRAMMES HOW TO APPLY

70 Undergraduate Programmes 82 How to Get in Touch

06 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 07

08 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 09

The RCM runs a regular concerto competition and the

10 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 11

The performance spaces available to

FIND OUT MORE

12 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 13

DEVELOPMENT We offer an individualised approach, selecting the most

What I learnt from being in such a highly

Darren Sng, Bachelor of Music (Hons)

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14 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 15

• Tailored one-to-one career sessions with members of the

• Resources, lectures and seminars on how to build

• Guidance on self-management and self-employment,

• Careers workshops and special events.

• Popular weekly opportunities e-bulletins.

• The RCM Teaching Services, matching members of the

complement an outstanding CV and wealth of experience

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GRADUATES MMus in Composition, 2002

Studying at the RCM equipped me with many of the skills

OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY INCLUDES: RAQUEL GARCÍA-TOMÁS

The Woodwind Faculty was hugely supportive, and I met

18 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 19

MComp in Composition for Screen, 2019 MPerf, 2018

EMILY SUN DANI HOWARD JONATHAN HOLLICK JULIEN VAN MELLAERTS

20 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 21

You will be able to explore a diverse range of cultural

Generations of RCM students have enjoyed the quiet of this

Royal Opera House

Royal College of Music London Eye

22 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 23

24 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 25

Prince Consort Village is specially designed for RCM

Located in leafy south-west London, Prince Consort Village

Living at PCV has been one of the best decisions I’ve

26 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 27

We welcome and encourage the participation of students

The staff at the RCM are very kind

28 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 29

The Royal College of Music’s resources are

30 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 31

Image left Image above

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32 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 33

Support is available for international students on a EXCHANGES

While studying abroad I attended live concerts in the

glad I spent those months in Helsinki.

Helena Bartlett, Bachelor of Music (Hons) WATCH

34 PROSPECTUS 2022–2023 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 35

Any student who auditions in person or by video for a place

My dream of studying at the Royal

Samuel Loveless, Master of Composition

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