Birmingham Conservatoire Open Day programme - June 2016

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE

Open Day

Programme 2016 Birmingham Conservatoire Fletcher’s Walk Wednesday 15 June 10am – 4pm bcu.ac.uk/open-days

1

Welcome

to Birmingham Conservatoire The moment you arrive in Birmingham you will be at the centre of the United Kingdom in a major international city which is home to not just one but TWO of the world’s finest concert halls (Town Hall and Symphony Hall) and a world class orchestra (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra). This is partly why the city receives a constant stream of visiting international soloists – many of whom come to give masterclasses at the Conservatoire. The possibilities for you to develop a career in music will be endless – especially if you take advantage of the unique collaborations the Conservatoire has to offer as a result of being part of a major University.

You will soon discover that the Conservatoire’s practice rooms, studios and performance spaces are hives of activity, buzzing with the creativity and hard work of students committed to becoming professional musicians. You will also benefit from specialist conservatoire training and be treated with the individual care and attention you will need to become the very best musician you can possibly be.

In addition, we have long-established links with Birmingham’s globally renowned music organisations, giving you not only the opportunity to learn from professionals elsewhere in the city, but also the chance to forge connections that will be invaluable for your future.

We look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham Conservatoire.

Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal

2 2

Principal, Julian Lloyd Webber

3

Open Day highlights

Our new home

Welcome and introduction from our Principal, Julian Lloyd Webber Receive a warm welcome to our open day from Julian Lloyd Webber, who was appointed as our Principal in July 2015.

Soon after starting as Principal he wasted no time in getting stuck in, by cutting the turf at the building site of our new £56 million home in the Eastside district.

Professor Lloyd Webber’s focus is on ensuring all students graduate with the skills they need to make careers in a rapidly changing 21st century music industry, and encouraging students to be the best musicians they can be.

the accommodation you’d be living in if you joined us. Feel free to chat to our student ambassadors to find out anything you want to know! In addition, attend the ‘Life as a Birmingham Conservatoire student’ talk scheduled for 3pm.

In September 2017 we will be moving into a new £56 million home, which will be purpose-built for our needs alongside Millennium Point, adjacent to Jennens Road in the Eastside district of the city, known as the ‘Learning Quarter’.

Masterclasses, performances and workshops We have masterclasses, performances and workshops across all disciplines taking place throughout the day, so there is something for everyone. Get a unique feel for what it would be like to be taught here and experience the talents of our students and tutors by attending these popular sessions.

The new building is set to be unique and contemporary, and will incorporate five major performance spaces, including a new concert hall for orchestral training and public performance and our very own jazz venue, the only one of its kind in the city. There will also be private rehearsal

Attend presentations from the Heads of Department Talk to our tutors about course content and find out more about what level of performance is expected of a Conservatoire student. Discover what it’s like to be part of each department and what performance opportunities are available.

Meet our students and tour the accommodation Have the opportunity to meet current Conservatoire students and take a tour of

4

and practice rooms and state-of-the-art recording and technology facilities, in addition to providing versatile teaching spaces for musicians from a variety of disciplines.

Building work began in August 2015 and is scheduled for completion in summer 2017.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news on the new building at: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/newhome

Free Showcase Concert All Open Day attendees are welcome to stick around for the Showcase Concert taking place at 4pm in the Adrian Boult Hall free of charge. If you didn’t request tickets when you registered for the Open Day please ask a member of staff who would be happy to help. More details: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/showcaseconcert

5

Birmingham Conservatoire Open Day Timetable – Wednesday 15 June 2016

Adrian Boult Hall (Ground Floor)

10.00-11.00 11.00-12.00 12.00-1.00 1.00-2.00 2.00-3.00 3.00-4.00

Welcome and Introduction Prof Julian Lloyd Webber

Chamber Music Rehearsal

Arena Foyer Jazz at the Conservatoire Jazz Concert (Ground Floor) Jeremy Price/Hans Koller/ (12.30)

Andrew Bain

Early Music and Acting Workshop Historical Vocal Michael Barry Martin Perkins/ Andrew King

Recital Hall The BMus Course Brass Department (Ground Floor) Dr Steve Halfyard/ Presentation and Concert

Duncan Fielden Prof. Christopher Houlding Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor)

String Department Presentation and Workshop Dr. Louise Lansdown (12.15)

The School of Composition and Music Technology Dr. Joe Cutler/Dr. Simon Hall

Keyboard Studies Department Presentation John Thwaites

Band Room

Recorder Workshop Pedagogy/ (1st Floor) Annabel Knight (12.15) Learning and

Participation

Luan Shaw/ Richard

Shrewsbury Lecture Room 1 Postgraduate Courses (1st Floor) Dr Shirley Thompson/

Luan Shaw

Saxophone Workshop Naomi Sullivan (12.30)

Harp Department Eleanor Turner (2.15)

Classical Guitar Department Mark Ashford

Lecture Room 1B Woodwind Department Woodwind Performance Class (1st Floor) Presentation and and Audition Advice

Performance Jenni Phillips and Dougie Mitchell

Jenni Phillips Bring your instruments and a

piece of music Lecture Room 2 (2nd Floor)

The School of Vocal Studies Prof. Julian Pike

Other

Introduction to the Percussion Percussion Dept, Audition Advice and Department Practice Pad Workout with Ensemble Head of Department, Performance Adrian Spillett

Tours: 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm: Conservatoire Building and Birmingham City Centre MSV Accommodation Video – Room G10 Coach tours to MSV student accommodation at 11.00am, 12noon, 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm

6

Brass Department Ensemble Workshop for all Open Day Brass Delegates Bring your instruments!

Vocal Interpretation Class Prof. Julian Pike

Lecture Room 3 (3rd floor)

Percussion Suite (4th floor)

“Life as a student at B’ham Conservatoire”

Jazz Jam Session all welcome The Organ Department - Henry Fairs G4 (Ground Floor) Music from Salvador, Bahia Join in with the Conservatoire students for a high energy Samba Reggae session Timbalada style and a look at the role of the Timbau, led by expert Sophie Hastings (Head of World Percussion)

Concerts: Showcase Concert - 4pm Adrian Boult Hall (free to Open Day attendees and guests) 7

Birmingham highlights

Travel directions

Living in Birmingham offers you the chance to live in an exciting, diverse city with a world-class music scene.

You will find detailed instructions on how to reach us by road, rail and air on this webpage: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/ about-us/parking-and-directions

Birmingham is home to more than one million people from a range of different cultures and ethnic groups, including the UK’s largest student population outside London. Indeed, Birmingham is often dubbed the ‘youngest city in Europe’, with 40 per cent of the population aged 25 or under, making for a city that buzzes with energy. Birmingham is a dynamic, multicultural city that offers a heady mix of galleries, music, restaurants and bars to suit any taste.

Birmingham Conservatoire is situated right at the heart of the city, within a few minutes’ walk of Symphony Hall and Town Hall, two magnificent concert halls where our orchestras perform regularly. There are many other arts venues equally close by, including Birmingham Hippodrome (home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and a regular host to the Welsh National Opera),

8 8

jazz clubs and bars. At the CBSO Centre, another close neighbour, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) presents its ground-breaking concert series. We are also fortunate to have many art galleries, museums and theatres, as well as the iconic Library of Birmingham, in the immediate vicinity, making the city centre a thriving cultural hub to rival any European city. These impressive venues and attractions will still only be a short walk away when we move over to our new Eastside building on the City Centre campus of the University.

Road and public transport systems make Birmingham easily accessible, nationally and internationally. The student body reflects the city’s diversity, with a growing international reputation as well as a wide national and European dimension. Tutors find us within easy reach from around the country and across Europe, giving the Conservatoire an enviable roster of tutors who enrich the training you will receive during your time with us.

Please note that the current redevelopment scheme in the ‘Paradise’ area of the city – the ring road and buildings that encircle Chamberlain and Victoria Square – will not affect the opening of Birmingham Conservatoire.

However, before travelling to visit us please check the latest information about road closures on the Birmingham City Council and Paradise Birmingham websites www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk/access. If you have any questions about your journey, please contact the Conservatoire Concerts and Venues team on 0121 331 5909.

Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham City University Paradise Place Birmingham B3 3HG United Kingdom Email: conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5901

Please note that when you enter the city centre there are a number of road diversions in place, so we advise you to pay close attention to these diversions rather than follow sat nav.

Parking Please be aware that car parking at the Conservatoire is very limited and we regret we cannot offer parking spaces to visitors.

However, there are several council run car parks located close by. During the Paradise Circus redevelopment scheme, the most conveniently located car park is the Town Hall multi-storey car park on Brunel Street (post code B1 1TA). From here it’s a short walk to the entrance of the Conservatoire, which is located on Fletcher’s Walk during the redevelopment.

Accessibility During the Paradise redevelopment scheme, disabled lift access to the Conservatoire is located on Fletcher’s Walk.

Image Symphony Hall ©Craig Holmes

9

Important information Emergencies and first aid Our security reception can be contacted on +44 (0)121 331 5920. If you require first aid, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

This programme is subject to change – please check www.bcu.ac.uk/ conservatoire/open-days for more information

Fire alarm If you hear a fire alarm, please leave by the nearest exit as quickly as possible. Follow any instructions given by our staff.

Equal Opportunities Birmingham City University promotes equality of opportunity in every aspect of its provision. Our Equal Opportunities Policy Statement can be found on the webpage: www.bcu.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity

10

11

Contact us www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire Enquiries T: +44 (0)121 331 5901 E: conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk /BirmCons @BirmCons

Important people

Royal Patron – HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO

President – Sir Simon Rattle ©Mat Hennek

Vice President – Peter Donohoe CBE

Principal – Professor Julian Lloyd Webber