The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Autumn 2012 Phone Home! RCM students report in from around the globe What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat... The cover of this issue shows Peter Kirk in the lead role ofGary of the Antarctic by RCM composer Edward Bell: one of six brand new 15-minute operas created and performed Contents as part of Great Expectations, a unique collaboration between the RCM and innovative opera production company Tête à Tête earlier this year. In this light-hearted, coming- In the news of-age story, the protagonist Gary Scott journeys to the South Pole and – thanks to a 4 little advice from a legendary figure – learns to pursue his own path. Updating you on recent RCM activities... Although not venturing quite a far as the Antarctic, RCM staff and students regularly have the opportunity to travel the globe and to spend time studying in other 8 New arrivals conservatoires through the Erasmus exchange programme. In this issue, we hear about Welcoming a host of new arrivals some of their experiences, and give you the chance to find out how living and learning to the RCM this academic year in a different country has improved their playing, their confidence – and perhaps even given them their own great expectations… 9 The Britten Theatre 25th Anniversary News As usual, Upbeat is also packed full with news from around the RCM, including the tale The final events to mark the of how three alumni were given the chance to perform at the closing ceremony of the anniversary of this much loved Paralympic Games. space We’re always keen to hear from students past and present, so if you have anything you would like us to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, send your news and pictures to 10 Exchanging Views [email protected] by Monday 7 January 2013. Bassoonist Christina Marroni tells Upbeat about the three months NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we she spent studying in France reserve the right to edit submissions. 12 Farewell to Sue RCM Director of Communications Upbeat online tells Upbeat her most poignant Did you know that Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat memories, experiences and If you’d prefer to read it in this way, do contact us at [email protected] and we’ll achievements stop sending you a paper copy. If you’d like us to send you an email notification when Upbeat is published, let us know your email address too. 14 Meeting the supporters Upbeat meets John Lewis Music Advisor Nigel Brotherton 16 Student notes… Current student success stories 18 Staff notes… News from professorial, academic and administrative staff 20 Alumni notes… Updates from RCM graduates 22 Obituaries and births RCM Baroque Orchestra performing at the Palace of Versailles Front cover – Peter Kirk in ‘Gary of the Antarctic’ composed by Edward Bell. Part of Great Expectations © Chris Christodoulou Inside front cover – Images from the RCM International Opera School’s summer production of ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ © Chris Christodoulou Inside back cover – Images from the 2012 Festival of Percussion © Chris Christodoulou and David Phillips 3 In the news... Cavaleri Quartet success Britain’s greenest conservatoire For the third year running, we’re delighted that the Royal College of Music has been recognised as the UK’s greenest conservatoire. The People & Planet Green League awarded the RCM a high 2:1 score, just an agonising half point from a 1st class degree. The RCM scored highly for its excellent environmental policy and management, and for its commitment to ethical investments, carbon management, Fairtrade and sustainable food, and renewable energy sources. Congratulations to all of the staff and students who have worked hard to The Cavaleri Quartet, founded at they were invited to perform at the achieve this result. the RCM by Anna Harpham, Ann Awards Ceremony and Final Concert, Beilby, Ciaran McCabe and Rowena which was broadcast live on NDR The People & Planet Green League is the Calvert, has triumphed at the second Kultur, and to make a commercial CD only comprehensive and independent ICMC International Chamber Music recording. The quartet is now looking league table of UK universities ranked by Competition in Hamburg. forward to undertaking a concert tour environmental and ethical performance. of Germany. It is compiled annually by the UK’s largest Not only did they take away the student campaigning network, People & 20.000 Euros First Prize, they also The ICMC International Chamber Planet. won the 10.000 Euros Oscar and Music Competition attracts some of Vera Ritter Foundation Prize for the world’s best chamber groups. Many the best performance of a work by congratulations to the Cavaleri Quartet Exhibition Mendelssohn. Following their victories for this fantastic achievement. Road Show Upon receiving his award, Bryn gave a While all eyes were on London’s East An Honorary speech in which he detailed four key End this summer for the Olympic encounters that shaped his own singing and Paralympic Games, a unique Doctorate career. To watch his complete speech cultural festival was taking place in for Bryn visit bit.ly/PleHdV Kensington. Exhibition Road Show was held from On Friday 6 July, the Royal College 28 July to 5 August in celebration of Music was delighted to award an of art, music, science, literature and Honorary Doctorate to bass-baritone acrobatics. One highlight of the Bryn Terfel. The award was made festival was the appearance of the by the RCM Chairman, Professor RCM Brass Quintet, described as Lord Winston, at the RCM’s annual the festival’s “in-house band”, who graduation ceremony in the Britten entertained passers-by with a rousing Theatre. programme! Director of the RCM Professor Colin Lawson introduced Bryn as: “the world’s greatest bass-baritone […] an artist truly meriting the adjective ‘exceptional’ ”, before listing the roles for which Bryn has received international acclaim, and concluding with praise for Bryn’s deep and heartfelt commitment to Wales, the country of his birth. Bryn Terfel 4 In a review from the Guardian Tim 24 Violons at Ashley commented: “The performances were exquisite. Bliss from start to Cadogan Hall fi n ish”. Andrew Morris, from Classical TheRCM Baroque Orchestra, Source, called it: “A fascinating history conducted by Sir Roger Norrington, lesson [...] with such an immaculately performed a spectacular concert at drilled and youthfully stylish Cadogan Hall as part of the BBC Proms reincarnation of a very old orchestra”. this summer. Alexandra Coghlan, from The Arts Desk, wrote: “Norrington has just the Performing on instruments that right amount of sardonic humour and featured in Louis XIV’s 24 Violons throwaway brilliance for this music, du Roi, painstakingly recreated by and under his direction the orchestra the Centre de musique baroque de generated a performance of distinctively Versailles, the RCM Baroque Orchestra’s Gallic hauteur (and just a little bit of performance in London was the silliness).” culmination of a remarkable tour which took in concerts at the Palace of Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/24violons Versailles and across France. to view a gallery of images. Photo © Sisi Burn © Sisi Photo members enjoyed exclusive tours of the Award winners Summer Music Royal Albert Hall. announced RCM Sparks once again played a key part One participant said: “It was a truly in the BBC Proms, the world’s biggest inspirational day… everyone was laughing classical music festival. The winners of the RCM’s most and enjoying themselves making music, prestigious awards for departing The Summer Music programme saw making friends and having a really good students have been announced. These more than 200 young people, aged six day”. awards are presented to students who to 12, take part in live music-making have made a particularly great impact events. Almost half of the participants RCM Sparks aims to offer inspirational on life at the RCM. performed at BBC Proms Plus Family learning experiences for all, regardless of financial means. This year, 60% of The Worshipful Company of Introductions and attended a BBC attendees received free workshop tickets, Musicians Silver Medal will be Proms concert. In addition, 25 teenagers awarded to violinist Sean Riley, the participated in a five-day composition while subsidised Proms tickets were Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother course, more than 40 music lovers of available to all participants. All events Rosebowl will go to pianist Caterina all ages took part in Discovery Sessions were supported by a committed team Grewe, and the Tagore Medals will (exploring treasures from the RCM’s of RCM students, who gained invaluable be given to violinist Mari Poll and Museum and Library) and 80 family experience for their own careers. trumpeter Christian Barraclough. They will all be presented with their awards at next year’s President’s Visit. Christian Barraclough 5 In the news... Celebrating Benjamin Britten Tri-borough Music hub launched On Tuesday 25 September the Royal Albert Hall hosted the launch of the new Tri-borough Music Hub, supported by Arts Council England. Photo © Mark Allan © Mark Photo The hub comprises three strategic The Britten-Pears Foundation has radio festivals and special television partners: the Royal College of Music, unveiled details of the centenary programming, recordings, exhibitions, the Royal Albert Hall and the Aurora celebrations for RCM alumnus conferences, online initiatives for Orchestra, who will provide music Benjamin Britten (1913–1976). The children, heritage trails and even a new services to children in three London launch event was held at the RCM’s building at The Red House, Britten’s boroughs: Kensington & Chelsea, very own Britten Theatre, which much-loved home in Aldeburgh.