gsmd.ac.uk Annual Report 2019/20 About us Welcome Guildhall School delivers world-leading professional Welcome to the Guildhall School training in music, drama and production arts, working of Music & Drama Annual Report in dynamic partnership with leading artists, companies for 2019/20. and ensembles. The School enjoys a unique historic We foster exploration, innovation role in the cultural life of the City and entrepreneurship among both of London, yet our perspective is staff and students, and seek to global and forward-looking. Our embed leading edge research into state of the art performance and the impact of the arts and the role teaching spaces, eminent staff and of artists in the 21st century. progressive curriculum attract students from over 60 countries to Our mission is to empower artists to realise their full potential; to The story of this year at Guildhall outstanding online productions I am immensely proud of the pursue their ambitions as the next School is a story of two halves: that have demonstrated superb accomplishments of the School generation of world-class artists. develop distinctive artistic citizens who enrich the lives of others and strong delivery on our strategic resourcefulness and ingenuity. community during the period make a positive impact in the world. objectives until March 2020, covered by this Annual Report – with subsequent disruption to By adapting to change with but I am not surprised. The arts gsmd.ac.uk the usual rhythm of the School energy and imagination, we have have come through many historical and rapid establishment of new created new ways of working challenges, and performing artists patterns of learning, teaching and which I believe will turn out to demonstrate incredible citizenship performance in the wake of the be evolutionary leaps for training in times of change, making all COVID-19 pandemic. in performing and production of our lives more meaningful, arts, and will contribute to our convivial and enjoyable. These are The School’s objective to enable our ongoing vison of ‘craft, creativity precisely the qualities that the world students to be ‘adaptable, purposeful and learning at the forefront of has needed during the past year. and responsible artists in society’ cultural change’. has rarely been more fully realised I have no doubt that Guildhall will than during 2019/20. Guildhall Change has come in different forms emerge into 2021 with renewed has witnessed some of the most during this year. In June and July energy and belief in what we do as incredible creativity and innovation 2020, we held intensive discussions artists, as educators and as people. in its 140 years of history. Students in response to global protests and staff have collaborated, with around racism and the Black Lives energy and commitment in the face Matter movement. We are now of the pandemic, and have entered undertaking urgent work to address a new world of remote teaching and dismantle racism at Guildhall, Lynne Williams am and learning. and will add a new Equality, Principal Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to The School’s artistic highlights have the cross-cutting priorities of our continued despite dark periods in strategic plan next year. our usual performance spaces, with For further copies of this Annual Report, and other corporate documents, visit gsmd.ac.uk/corporatedocuments 1 Contents The Royale Achieving our goals in a year of dramatic change 4 Our vision and values 4 Our goals, 2019/20 5 Strategic highlights, 2019/20 5 A year of dramatic change: COVID-19 6 Distinctive training for world-class artists 14 Reputation and rankings 15 World-class artists, 2019/20 16 Strong bonds with strategic partners 24 UK partners 25 Internationalisation 28 Helping young artists find their creative voice 30 Children and young people 32 Creative Learning 35 Leading positive cultural change 38 Research 39 Guildhall Live Events 41 Creative Entrepreneurs 43 Coaching and Mentoring 44 Short courses 46 Fit for the 21st century 48 Staff and faculty 50 Digital technology 52 Access and Participation 54 Anti-racism 58 Sustainability 60 Development and alumni 61 A strong financial model 63 Financial profile 64 Student profiles 65 Celebrating success 69 Alumni awards 70 Student awards 74 Roll call: Guildhall productions and events 77 Supporters and leadership 83 Our supporters 84 Patron, Board of Governors and Senior Leadership 85 3 Achieving our Our goals, 2019/20 goals in a year of This year, as last year, the Annual Report is structured around dramatic change the objectives that guide our work from 2017–2022: To deliver distinctive training for To lead positive cultural change Digital world-class artists through degree which impacts on society, our To contribute to the future of the programmes which enable our industry and the wider world arts and creative industries through artists to be world-class; virtuosi in through professional development, new technology and digital their field; adaptable, purposeful research and knowledge exchange learning and engagement. and responsible artists in society. and public engagement International To strengthen our unique To be fit for the 21st century: an To lead and partner on activity bonds with strategic partners evolving and sustainable institution, which builds an internationally at the Barbican Centre and the through acquisition and retention of engaged and globally relevant City of London, and establish a world leading staff, future-focussed community. creative destination in the City’s learning and teaching spaces and Culture Mile. resources and fit-for-purpose Diverse services, underpinned by a strong To build a teaching and learning To help young artists find their financial model. environment which offers creative voice by refocusing opportunities for everyone to engage our outstanding and wide- Alongside these objectives, with the arts; an environment that reaching Guildhall Young Artists we deliver on three cross-cutting is enriched by a diverse creative programme. priorities: community that reflects the society in which we live and work. Our vision We value Strategic highlights, 2019/20 Craft, creativity and – The unique artistic voice and the transformative Guildhall performance moves QS World University Rankings Supported Application Scheme power of the artist within society. online 2020 Our new Supported Application learning at the forefront – A creative practice sustained by exploration, Investment in specialist technology The School is now ranked sixth in Scheme provides support for innovation and entrepreneurship. means that performance by the world for performing arts (see applicants from low-income of cultural change. – A learning and teaching environment enriched Guildhall students can now reach a page 15). households (see page 54). by a diverse creative community. broader audience than ever before (see page 9). Ten years of Barbican Guildhall Reduced Acting audition fees – Partnership and the collaborative spirit in the Creative Learning We announced a 47% reduction creation and performance of work. Student Experience Festival 2019 marked the ten-year in our Acting audition fees from – Opportunities for all to engage with the arts In June 2020, Guildhall hosted its anniversary of Barbican Guildhall 2020 (see page 57). and the pursuit of life-long creative learning. first ever online orientation festival Creative Learning (see page 35). – Our leadership role within an international for new students (see page 10). Guildhall Patrons arts and creative industries sector. Our new philanthropic programme is designed to enrich training at the School (see page 67). 4 5 From remote lessons and The School established a COVID-19 masterclasses to virtual auditions Gold Team to manage day-to- A year of dramatic and online performance, we have day decision-making, providing been humbled by the tireless guidance specific to our needs efforts and resilience shown by as a performing arts training staff and students in response to institution and keeping students the challenge of the pandemic. and staff informed of health change: COVID-19 and safety procedures. The intimate nature of much of our teaching required additional Transition to online space to accommodate three- Guildhall School’s rehearsal rooms, stages and concert teaching and learning metre distancing, complex safety measures for ensemble, orchestral halls were dark during summer term 2020 in the wake In March 2020, as a result of and production work, and specialist lockdown, Guildhall School equipment for vocal, wind and of the COVID-19 pandemic – but we found light and closed its doors for one of the brass lessons. The experience very few times in its 140-year gained has enabled the School inspiration among our community of staff and students, who history. Students and staff to serve as an effective advocate adapted quickly to a new world for the needs of conservatoires in demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in bringing the School of remote teaching and learning. dialogue with government about Staff responded with energy and pandemic response. community to life in new and exciting ways. commitment to rapidly redefine their programme offer and By September 2020, it was clear move teaching online. Students that lockdown had resulted continued lessons in adapted spaces in some hugely creative and within the School and in their innovative teaching and learning, own kitchens, living rooms – and with messages of gratitude from sometimes even cars – spread many students for the outstanding across the world, and