rcs.ac.uk TRADITIONAL MUSIC Our curriculum recognises that the innovative nature of Scottish traditional music today must be embraced, and that for traditional music to flourish from one generation to another, the creative LIKE development of the individual must go hand-in-hand with an understanding of its roots. You can expect to learn in a busy department where your musical roots NOWHERE ELSE: and creative artistry will be nurtured and developed through one-to-one tuition, academic context, performance opportunities, masterclasses and lots of ensemble work, all aimed at helping OUR MUSIC IS you fulfil your potential. SCOTTISH, BUT OUR DEPARTMENT IS GLOBAL BMus: Four years, full-time “RCS is a world leader in traditional music education with 25 Traditional Music years’ experience in guiding the next generation of artists. rcs.ac.uk/tradmusic We believe that the creative development of the individual is the key to a thriving traditional music scene.” Delivered in partnership with MMus: Two years, full-time MA: One year, full-time rcs.ac.uk/pgtradmusic

Head of Traditional Music: Professor Joshua Dickson

Within this department, you will explore ’s Why choose us? Your studies Master of Music/Master of Arts unique and dynamic musical traditions as a | RCS is recognised as one of the world’s top three Bachelor of Music with Honours We also offer an MA (one calendar year) or MMus conceptual, critical and creative framework to destinations to study the performing arts (Traditional Music) (two academic years) degree in Traditional Music achieve your distinctively personal voice. which nurtures your existing artistic personality. (QS World University Rankings 2021) This programme is based primarily on the traditional Postgraduate study focuses on your individual | The only UK conservatoire to offer a Bachelor and folk music of Scotland as befits our national principal study tuition, with further departmental of Music in Traditional Music conservatoire; however, our emphasis on the creative studies that emphasise professional and artistic development of the individual allows the curriculum | Opportunity to develop invaluable skills, and a knowledge of the contextual and to be relevant to aspiring folk/trad musicians from industry contacts historical foundations to Scottish traditional anywhere in the world. | High staff-student ratio music today. External learning opportunities include an Isle of Skye | Excellent teaching staff who are all prolific residency, a Blazin’ in Beauly residency, teaching in the academic and performing industries placements and work placements in Scotland and | Benefit from our partnership with the overseas, as well as appearances at high-profile events, National Piping Centre including Celtic Connections, Cape Breton’s Celtic | Dedicated recording and rehearsal studio Colours festival and Piping Live!

| Performance opportunities include the Bachelor of Music with Honours world-famous Celtic Connections Festival (Traditional Music - Piping) and Celtic Colours Festival This programme shares the same structure and range | Collaborations and connections include of contextual curriculum as the BMus (Traditional the National Piping Centre, the Centre Music) however its range of performance tuition is for Contemporary Arts, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, specifically dedicated to the well-rounded and in- Fèis Rois, the Irish World Academy of Music depth development of the contemporary exponent and Dance at University of Limerick, East of the Scottish Highland Bagpipe. This programme Tennessee State University, KMH Royal College includes solo piping, piobaireachd, pipe band work of Music (Stockholm) and the Sibelius Academy, and piping in a folk ensemble context. University of the Arts Helsinki (Finland) DID YOU KNOW? Teaching staff are prolific in the industry. In 2019, lecturer Jenn Butterworth was named Musician of the Year at the . Teaching staff All our teaching staff have active careers in | Alastair Henderson Piper, Silver Medallist the performing industry and include: | Ruairidh MacMillan Fiddler, Teacher and Ross Ainslie, Philippe Barnes, Professor Margaret member of multi award-winning band Bennett, Jenn Butterworth, Paddy Callaghan, Blazin’ Heather Downie, Marc Duff, Professor Joshua | Mischa MacPherson Singer, BBC Radio 2 Dickson, Marie Fielding, Professor Fred Freeman, Young Folk Award 2014 Djordje Gajic, Steph Geramia, David Henderson, Corrina Hewat, Fiona Hunter, Ali Hutton, Greg | Robyn Stapleton Singer, BBC Radio Scotland Entry requirements Postgraduate academic entry requirements Lawson, Duncan Lyall, Finlay MacDonald, Kevin Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2014 Entrance to RCS is based on talent, potential and | Honours degree (at least 2.2), or its overseas Mackenzie, Màiri MacInnes, Willie McCallum, | Claire Hastings Singer, BBC Radio Scotland ability. We are looking for students who display equivalent in a subject area relevant to the Mary McCarthy, Alistair McCulloch, Karen Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2015 outstanding potential, dedication and ambition. demands of the programme. Marshalsay, David Milligan, John Mulhearn, | Charlie Stewart Fiddler, BBC Radio Scotland For more specific entry requirements, including Ian Muir, Findlay Napier, Iseabail T NicDhomhnaill, BMus academic entry requirements Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017 language requirements, please visit rcs.ac.uk Martin O’Neill, Alistair Paterson, Rod Patterson, | Hannah Rarity Singer, BBC Radio Scotland | Scottish Highers – 3 passes (grade C or above) Ailie Robertson, James Ross, Laura-Beth Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018 Your audition MacCrimmon, John Somerville and Fraser Stone. | A Levels – 2 passes We want you to enjoy the audition process and use | Benedict Morris Fiddler, BBC Radio Scotland | International Baccalaureate – minimum For an up-to-date list of staff and recent the opportunity to discover more about RCS and see Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2019 score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level masterclasses from industry professionals, if it is the right place for you. please see rcs.ac.uk | Ryan Young Fiddler, Celtic Connections | Recognised equivalences Danny Kyle Award winner Details on the audition/interview process are available Our graduates We offer a flexible approach to students taking online at rcs.ac.uk. This includes information on Highers over more than one academic year and/ any deadlines, live vs. recorded auditions, repertoire/ Our graduates are working in the professional How to apply or who achieve their qualifications in more than requirements and what to expect following your music and related industries; as performers, Before you apply, please go to rcs.ac.uk to read full one sitting. audition/interview. teachers, composers, musical directors, recording details on the music programme you wish to apply Within the minimum academic entry artists, producers, music therapists, doctoral to, and the application and admissions processes. requirements, the subjects recommended are: Tuition fees and scholarships students, community project managers and The standard application deadline is 1 October. Tuition fees can be found at rcs.ac.uk/fees as well as broadcasters. Graduates include: Late applications made after this date may be | History at Higher, Advanced Higher or information on financial support and scholarships. Advanced level or equivalent | Gordon Bruce Piper, Double Silver Medallist accepted and those details can be found at rcs.ac.uk/apply | English at Higher, Advanced Higher or | Cameron Drummond Piper, Double Advanced level or equivalent Silver Medallist All applications must be made through the UCAS Conservatoires online admissions service: | the study of Gaelic and/or another European | Connor Sinclair Piper, Gold Medallist ucas.com/conservatoires language at least to National 4/5 or Standard Our institution code is R58 and you will find the Grade/GCSE specific programme code on rcs.ac.uk

Junior Conservatoire The Junior Conservatoire of Music programme is for talented and committed young people aged 11–18 who are passionate about music and want to develop their skills and techniques. Junior Conservatoire students benefit from one- to-one tuition from RCS expert teaching staff, performance classes and the opportunity to play in a variety of ensembles every week. Find out more at rcs.ac.uk/junior Short Courses We offer a range of short courses and summer schools for people who wish to develop their skills and passion for music. To see what courses are on offer this year, please visit rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses Contact us If you have any questions about your application, please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 100 Renfrew Street, G2 3DB Telephone: +44 (0) 141 332 4101 rcs.ac.uk

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