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ROYAL OF MUSIC 1

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STUDENT GUIDE STUDENT

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE ATROYAL THE COLLEGE REASONS TOSTUDY OF MUSIC TOP 10

ROYAL COLLEGE 03 OF MUSIC — 02

ENGAGE WITH WORLD- LEADING RESEARCH RCM is internationally renowned The community, for its thriving research which informsour teaching and can fullyyou develop as an artist.help international talent, creating a friendly,international creating talent, of music-making and diverse hub exciting you to build friendshipsand allowing the world. around with musicians from EXPERIENCE DIGITAL INNOVATION Our new virtual learningenvironment, and innovative cutting-edge research the RCM a world-leaderfacilities make of digital technologies. use in the YOUR STUDIES TAILOR UK conservatoire toonly the are We right up own to our degrees award ayou can create level, meaning doctoral your aspirations. to suit course bespoke ACCESS WORLD-CLASSACCESS FACILITIES we have transformed years In recent to provide our campus expanded and you with world-class facilities, from performance to magnificent spaces state-of-the- accommodation. IN OURIMMERSE YOURSELF COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL than 60 more With students from the RCM is a globalcountries, Our in the heart community of . of the best represent teaching staff, too, 10 08 09 06 07

countless opportunities countless to perform at events and venues across prestigious music into thethe capital and to take wider community. GAIN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE offers Centre Careers Creative Our LONDON LOCATION Situated in the heart andof London opposite the standing proudly Albert Royal Hall, home to the famous envyour location is the BBC Proms, of the musical world. leading musicians – our students haveleading musicians – internationalenjoy successful on to gone years. than 135 more for careers AN INSPIRATIONAL PREPARE FOR A PREPARE GLOBAL CAREER of the world’s in the footsteps Follow professors are at the forefront of their at theforefront are professors everycome from cornerfields and principalof the globe. Many are orchestras major players with London’s ensembles. and works brought to life by RCM musicians. brought works LEARN WITH EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSORS experienced Our dedicated and PERFORM IN PRESTIGIOUSPERFORM VENUES LONDON opportunity will have the perform to You andwith world-leading conductors andartists London in venues across Composers can hear their further afield.

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02 01 Founded in 1882 by the future King Edward VII, the of Music is one of the world’s greatest conservatoires. We are proud to be ranked the top conservatoire for performing in the UK for four consecutive years in the QS World University Rankings 2016–19. For more than 135 years, we have trained gifted musicians from across the globe for international careers. At the RCM you can follow in the footsteps of

WELCOME these performers, conductors and composers.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE STUDENT INTERNATIONAL As an RCM musician you will benefit from a We are proud of our heritage and seek to huge number of performance opportunities. push the boundaries of music as leaders in We hold more than 500 events a year in digital innovation. The RCM’s exceptional our magnificent performance spaces and in facilities, teaching staff and Creative venues across London, including orchestral Careers Centre will help you to become concerts, opera, chamber music and works the future of music. by our very own composers. Professor , Director The RCM encourages a journey of self- CBE, MA (Oxon), MA, PhD, DMus, FRCM, discovery, where you are mentored and FRNCM, FLCM, HonRAM supported by professors and professional staff at the international cutting-edge of research and innovation. In 2017 the RCM was rated gold for its outstanding teaching and learning provision for undergraduates in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

You will be encouraged to develop as an artist by exploring the research behind music in practice. The RCM is the perfect place to do this as we were named the London conservatoire with the highest percentage of world-leading research in the latest Research Excellence Framework in 2014. 05 — 04 At the Royal College of Music, we consider our international community to be our greatest asset. Over half our students come from outside the UK, and we currently have musicians from more than 60 different countries studying here. Our professors come from across the globe too, and we work in collaboration with institutions such as Princeton University and the Nanyang Academy to offer joint programmes of study.

We understand that moving to a new The SU also represents the student voice country can feel like a big step and we will at all levels, providing regular feedback do everything we can to make you feel at to the College on every aspect of student home. Our Registry and Student Services life. Mental and physical wellbeing are staff provide advice and support for a priority of the SU, which works closely INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE STUDENT INTERNATIONAL international students across a range with Student Services to ensure the correct of practical subjects including visas, support is there for every student throughout immigration and finance. their studies. A GLOBAL COMMUNITY A GLOBAL Your fellow students will also help you to Our graduates in more than 80 countries tell settle in. There are plenty of opportunities to us how fondly they remember their time at get to know each other with welcome events the RCM. We believe that you won’t find a at our hall of residence and a lively and more welcoming and inspiring place to study varied social calendar run by our Students’ anywhere in the world. Union (SU). The SU is the social hub of the RCM and home to a diverse range of Kevin Porter, Deputy Director student-run societies, including a Jazz Society HonRCM and Football Society.

Apart from the undeniably superb teaching quality, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to perform and have attended faculty classes, masterclasses, lunchtime concerts and keyboard festivals. At first I found living in London challenging because the weather and culture are different to Asia, but now I love it.

LiFei Weng, Bachelor of Music (Hons) ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 07 — 06 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES performance experienceperformance aspossible. orchestral concerts and operas, giving you asmuch from masterclasses to andchamberperformances year wepresent more 500 than events, ranging Every opportunities. performance to unmatched RoyalAt the College of Music haveaccessyou will Carla G Ginjaume, Master of Music in Composition Music of Master Carla GGinjaume, performers. work with to masterclasses, asregular aswell opportunities in manycomposition workshops, competitions and The chance RCMhasgivenmethe togetinvolved ROYAL COLLEGE 09 OF MUSIC — 08

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www.rcm.ac.uk/live Many RCM concerts are streamed live streamed are Many RCM concerts our website at on way for family and friends a great It’s your experience to outside London can watch previous You performances. channel at YouTube performances on our www.youtube.com/RCMLondon series offers you the chance to devise your to devise theyou chance offers series With the full events. own ground-breaking supportof the RCM, students and mentorship unique and present to create collaborate what classical music that redefine projects means today. RCM musicians have also atexhibitions to accompany music created of Arts Academy and the Nationalthe Royal theGallery, and principal players from visit regularly of Europe Orchestra Chamber to work and perform with students. festivals whichyear we stage several Every Our annual faculties. showcase different a live-streamed features Festival Keyboard of Percussion our Festival day of performances; opportunity an to hear and performprovides in percussionists of the greatest with some explores Super String Sunday the world; and we celebrate sensational string music; with thehistorical performance practice Viols. of RCM International Festival ONLINE WATCH OPERA PRODUCTIONS Studio Opera of Music College Royal The each operas fully staged three presents acclaimed most of the world’s Some year. and choreographers designers directors, a providing us for these productions, join within a supportiveexperience professional years every In addition, two environment. of fully staged productions we present written by RCM composers. mini-operas COLLABORATIONS AND FESTIVALS at the projects many collaborative are There ExhibitionistsGreat year and our RCM each . accord

Sur le même You can perform in solo and chamber works You our chamber music series, and all students part in these able to apply to take are can You lunchtime and rush-hour concerts. also perform London, at venues across Cadogan Albertincluding Hall, at the Royal Visiting and Albert Museum. Victoria Hall and Quartet and ensembles, including the Harlem furtheropportunitiesQuartet, provide Sacconi performers.to play alongside professional Concerto opportunities are available and available opportunities are Concerto performances include Rachmaninov’s recent by RCM no 3 conducted Concerto Piano Queen at theGourlay alumnus Andrew Concerto Violin Elizabeth Hall, Szymanowski’s Ravel’s Concerto, Flute Chaminade’s no 1, Bassoon Weber’s Hand, for the Left Concerto and Dutilleux’s Concerto CHAMBER MUSIC visiting conductors and artists include Martinvisiting conductors Gourlay, Andrew Vladimir Ashkenazy, André, RafaelVladimir Jurowski, Haitink, Bernard Jac van Steen, Steve Reich, Payare, John Wilson and Thomas Zehetmair. repertoire of a range explore also can You music withensembles, new facultyour in our From and RCM New Perspectives music series,electronic the Soundhouse historical performance with the RCM Baroque of jazz and swing withor the world Orchestra, theBig Bands. RCM Swing and RCM ORCHESTRAS RCM ORCHESTRAS AND ENSEMBLES ensembles have many in-house We from of repertoire, range a wide covering String from and to contemporary baroque Band to Big Band. is regularly Orchestra RCM Symphony The greatest of the world’s joined by some and artists and performsconductors external at Hall. Recent Festival venues such as the Royal INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE WELCOME TO LONDON Andrés Villalobos, Bachelor of Music(Hons) explore city’s the buzzingculture. manyconcertshave beenabletoattend and Movinghere I meantthat performance. London centre hasalwaysbeenthe of musical will will offer you amazing opportunities. world’sthe cultural leading capitals, Royalthe College of Music,in one of corner globe.Studyingat of the every communities with cities fromon earth, London is one mostinternational of the Our students perform at major venues STUDYING IN SOUTH across the city, including the Royal Festival The RCM is situated directly opposite the Hall, the ’s Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall in one of London’s most Kings Place, St Martin-in-the-Fields and attractive, prestigious and vibrant areas – St James’s Piccadilly. There are also . opportunities to play at churches, museums and galleries, such as the Royal Academy The RCM sits within the heart of the Exhibition of Arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum Road Cultural Quarter, London’s premier hub of and the Science Museum. cultural activity. We are just ten minutes’ walk from South Kensington underground station, In addition to the major London orchestras allowing you to easily explore everything this which present exciting programmes every vibrant area has to offer, including: year, the finest international musicians, conductors and ensembles regularly perform • , which has one in beautiful concert halls across the city. of the largest and most active student London also offers world-class theatre, bodies in the capital dance and art, unmissable historical • The Royal Albert Hall, home of the attractions and world-famous museums and BBC Proms art galleries, many of which are free to visit. • Three of the UK’s biggest museums: the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum • Hyde Park, one of the most attractive green ROYAL COLLEGE

spaces in London MUSIC OF • The • The Goethe-Institut, Institut français and

Ismaili Centre

FIND OUT MORE www.rcm.ac.uk/location

10 —11 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE OUR CAMPUS & FACILITIES TEACHING ANDPRACTICE please visit To find outmore about ournewfacilities, kinds. of all collaborative music-making community workshops, exhibitions and for rehearsals, masterclasses, concerts, provide will Hall, more venues intimate Rooms, which Royaloverlook the Albert new Performance Parry andthe Studio For our chamberandsoloperformances, London’s best-loved opera stages. orchestrawith is oneof meanwhile, pit, series concerts.of public The Britten Theatre Performance houseavibrant will Hall and large ensembles, while our new and concert venueforRCM orchestras Concert rehearsal primary isthe Hall spaces. performance The Fleming Amaryllis The RCMhasthree large fantastic WORLD-CLASS STAGES and abespoke room studio forrecording. room, alarge mainspace formasterclasses asamulti-percussionmarimba, aswell timpani and specific instruments,suchas in 2015andfeatures spaces to dedicated percussionOur purpose-built suite opened visual equipment. audio purpose practice andteachingspaces with technicians, instrumentstorage anddual services luthier including andresident piano productions, in-houseinstrument surgeries We alsohavenewdressing rooms for opera Amadeus musicpodsforprivatepractice. Our campushasanumber of sound-proofed to enhance andsupport your learning. are continually in investing our facilities are renowned, internationally andwe The Royal College of Music’s resources www.rcm.ac.uk/facilities

technology available to support technology availabletosupport your studies. constantly improving anddevelopingthe a range services andis of ITsupport technologyteamprovidesOur highlyskilled DIGITAL SUPPORT promotion and purposes. other submissions, self- and videosforaudition engineer, fee tomake forasmall recordings studio,can bookthe aprofessional with work inprofessional conditions. studio Students andcomposers to facilities enable performers Our audio, video andcomposition technology RCM STUDIOS fromlearn your performances. valuable teachingaidlets you analyseand archive, internal online RCMStream. This recorded eventsonour faculty and lessons student, you canwatchbackperformances, professionally filmed or recorded. AsanRCM Many RCMconcerts and events are RCMSTREAM video conferencing. around world the using high-quality lectures partners with andperformances We alsohostcollaborative masterclasses, any device,online anywhere world. inthe whichcanbeaccessedplatform, from learn.rcm, RCM’s the learning online Your by supported isfurther learning

ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 13 — 12 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE LEARNING & DISCOVERY and instrumentalists. leading composers, conductors, singers treading inthe footstepsofthe world’s stardom, soatthe RCMyoucanenjoy our studentshavegoneontointernational ofsuccess.Forstory more than135 years ofacontinuallyunfolding you becomepart By comingtothe Royal CollegeofMusic,

INTERNATIONALLY RCM MUSEUM RESPECTED DEGREES Following a major development, the Royal At the RCM you can create a course to fit College of Music Museum will reopen with a your individual professional aspirations. As purpose-built gallery and hands-on discovery you progress, you will be able to shape your area showcasing the RCM collections, which degree to suit your preferences. contain more than 15,000 instruments, images and . Students will also have access At the heart of your RCM experience is

to a climate controlled performance space ROYAL COLLEGE individual one-to-one lessons with your and dedicated research centre. MUSIC OF principal study faculty professor. All your tuition is delivered by our distinguished and Many of the objects in our collection can also experienced team of staff.

be explored online through a variety of Alongside numerous internal performance resources, including Google Arts and Culture, activities such as masterclasses, orchestral via www.rcm.ac.uk/museum projects and workshops, you will also be able to participate in faculty-based classes and activities. We also welcome regular international artists to teach and perform, CENTRE FOR PERFORMANCE including Emanuel Ax, Dmitri Bashkirov, SCIENCE Peter Donohoe, Angela Hewitt, Lang Lang, Our Centre for Performance Science is home Maximiliano Martín, , to researchers investigating the psychological, Sir András Schiff, , Mitsuko developmental and social sciences of music, Uchida and Mats Zetterqvist. including music’s impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. Students also have access to the Centre for Performance Science’s revolutionary computerised RCM LIBRARY performance simulator, which helps musicians The RCM Library is run by a friendly and learn to deal with performance anxiety. knowledgeable team who are here to support you during your course. Our collections cover a wealth of material including printed music and scores, books, music journals, recordings and online resources such as Oxford Music Online, medici.tv and Naxos Music Library. FIND OUT MORE You can find out more at www.rcm.ac.uk/research www.rcm.ac.uk/library www.rcm.ac.uk/facilities

14 —15 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE STUDENT SUPPORT them at them atthe RCMand life at the College. Contact help if aboutstudying you haveanyquestions staffare support availableto Our international email To arrange a confidentialdiscussion please CONTACT STUDENTSERVICES in the UK at day.Findduring the out more abouthealthcare use the Centre for urgent problems medical while NHSpatients, as full studentscan other Prince(including Consort Village) canregister catchmentarea inthe studentsliving Eligible Health Centre, just afewminutes’ away. walk The RCMisalsolinked Imperial with College to issues andspirituality. of faith it isaplace of advice relating andinformation Located just twominutesawayfrom RCM, the London also welcomes RCMstudents. all Imperial College The ChaplaincyCentreat during here.your time available if you experience personalissues 24/7. Our Counselling Service isalso resource support mental health available Big the including White Wall, an online andwellbeing, studenthealth to support We havearange andresourcesof activities injuries, privateaccommodation andmore. accounts andfinancial concerns, musicians’ visasandimmigration,including opening bank students available toall on arange of issues, A confidentialadvice andimpartial service is here.while you’re to London andmake most the of your time students to help you prepare for your move provide advice forinternational andsupport Our Registry andStudentServices staff Technique sessions. andAlexander opportunities performance matters, range services advice including of support on financial The Royal College of Musicprovides access toawide [email protected] [email protected] www.rcm.ac.uk/international

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SCHOLARSHIPS We welcome and encourage the The Royal College of Music is committed to participation of students with disabilities accepting the best students from around the in all aspects of life at the RCM, and we world. Any student who auditions in person have particular experience in supporting for a place on a performance or composition students with dyslexia and visual programme will automatically be considered impairment. To find out more visit for a scholarship or study award. In 2018/19, www.rcm.ac.uk/disabilities more than 60% of our students received financial support during their studies. ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC OF

FIND OUT MORE www.rcm.ac.uk/studentsupport

16 —17 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE ACCOMMODATION communal spaces. bicycle storage andindoor outdoor speed Wi-Fi, reception, laundry, gym, 24/7, afilm room, openmicspace, high practice23 dedicated rooms available to practise include: athome.Amenities acoustically treated bedrooms allowing you designedforRCMstudents,with specially Prince Consort Village isfully equipped and FACILITIES of residents. in-house teamare wellbeing tothe dedicated residencea dayandthe managerand The accommodation isstaffed24hours SUPPORT

en-suite rooms andstandard rooms. accommodation apartments, studio including Prince Consort Village, provides high-quality The Royal College of Music’s hall of residence,

areas andShepherd’sof Hammersmith Bush. residence whichprovides connections tothe stop conveniently located hall outside the of away. walk ashort all There isalsoabus Line) andShepherd’s Bush(Central Line)are Park (DistrictLine), RoadGoldhawk (Circle London Underground Ravenscourt stations TRANSPORT cinemas andrestaurants, are alsonearby. renowned selection forafantastic of shops, Shepherd’samenities. Hill, BushandNotting asmanylocalshops,cafesand as well greeneryclose tothe of Ravenscourt Park The accommodation isinanideallocation, from Ravenscourt Park Kensington. toSouth distance RCMviaLondonof the Underground Consort Village iswithin easy travelling Located London, in leafysouth-west Prince LOCATION

FIND OUT MORE www.rcm.ac.uk/accommodation ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC

18 —19 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE www.rcm.ac.uk/creativecareers FIND OUTMORE rehearsals andgaininvaluable experience. chancestudents the tositin on professional relationship. These schemes offer selected Opera, whom we with enjoy aclose singers gettocover roles forEnglish Touring of London’s mostprestigious venuesand our worksof their insome performances collaborativeinnovative projects andhear Orchestra. Composers in participate Orchestra National andEnglish Opera , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, side ‘sit-in’ BBCSymphony the schemeswith For orchestral musicians,we offer side-by- RCM events. attend andbookers that agents,publishers find will an extraordinary professional network. You music centres of heart RCMisatthe andthe London is one world’sof the majorclassical MAKE INDUSTRY CONTACTS to arange of job opportunities. of your choice, advice, with andaccess support prepare forasuccessful career profession inthe The Royal College help of Musicwill you to

RCM alumnifor five yearsaftergraduation. Service alsoprovides advice andservices to your future career. The RCM Creative Careers wealth of experience helpshape whichwill of your course to develop an outstanding You can servicesuse these from firstday the • • • • • • • CENTRE OFFERS: THE RCMCREATIVE CAREERS able toteach members RCMstudents with public of the A privateteachingservice, matching Weeklyjobs e-bulletins Careers workshops andspecial events finance including self-employment, Guidance and on self-management to buildasuccessful career Resources, lectures andseminars on how specialists teamandindustry of the One-to-one career members sessionswith and around London in opportunities Extensive performance

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE You can get involved and: The RCM Sparks programme is an • Take part in specially tailored music exciting way to gain experience in education training leading workshops, develop new skills • Build experience for your CV and share your passion for music with the • Make useful industry contacts by working wider community. with music hubs, orchestras, venues, schools, charities and arts organisations RCM Sparks offers workshops and • Harness the expertise of a wide courses for families and young people, range of inspiring professionals such concerts for schools and bespoke projects as renowned workshop leaders and in partnership with a wide range of arts composers organisations and charities. • Share ideas and passions with other musicians

FIND OUT MORE www.rcm.ac.uk/sparks ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC

20— 21 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FIND OUT MORE Keep RCM the up todatewith at online our websiteat Royalstudying atthe College of Music on You canfind outalotmore about OPEN DAYS www.rcm.ac.uk/openday RCM islike. For more pleasevisit information a great wayto experience atthe whatlife and you are welcome very tojoin us. It’s The RCM Open Dayhappens every year [email protected] If pleasecontact you haveanyquestions, CONTACT US weibo.com/RCMLondon RCMLondon @RCMLondon youtube.com/RCMLondon @RCMLondon facebook.com/royalcollegeofmusic www.rcm.ac.uk

www.rcm.ac.uk/studenttours To booka tour, please visit are subjecttoavailability. in advance andthere isnocharge, butplaces and lastaboutanhour. Tours mustbebooked Tours are time heldmostweeks during term you maylike toconsider atour. are inLondon duringthe time atanother year, If you can’t come to our Open Daybut you TOURS Services teamat you are welcome tocontact our Student discuss needsinconfidence, your particular If disabilities. students with you wouldlike to The RCMwelcomes from applications APPLICANTS WITHDISABILITIES www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionlocations please visit For up-to-date details on howtoapply, Korea,South Thailand andthe USA. China, HongKong, Japan,Singapore, The inLondon, RCMholdsauditions HOW TOAPPLY

www.rcm.ac.uk/apply [email protected]

and

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is fair and accurate at the time of going to print. Information on programmes, fees and services contained within this publication are subject to occasional changes, and no guarantee can be given that these will not be made following publication.

For the most up-to-date information on our programmes visit www.rcm.ac.uk

Any complaints concerning the fairness or accuracy of this publication should be addressed to [email protected]

© Royal College of Music 2019

Photo credits:

Chris Christodoulou: Pages 8, 13

Phil Rowley: Cover, pages 2, 5, 7, 14–15, 16–17, 18, 19, 20, 22

Nick Gurney: Page 21 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC

22 — 23 London SW7 2BS

+44(0)20 7591 4300 [email protected] www.rcm.ac.uk

/royalcollegeofmusic

@RCMLondon

/RCMLondon

@RCMLondon

RCMLondon

weibo.com/ 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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