WELCOME TO THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC’S AUTUMN SEASON
It’s a delight to introduce our Autumn Events Guide in my first full year as Artistic Director at the Royal College of Music. Over the coming pages I hope you will discover many inspiring concerts, events and masterclasses.
The new academic year brings a fresh group of students, eager to learn and perform, and our performance programme offers myriad opportunities for musicians to showcase their skills in venues within the College and externally.
We have particular threads weaving through the term, including the music of College alumnus Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and his daughter Avril Coleridge-Taylor, and music from 20th-century France.
We are delighted that our RCM Symphony Orchestra and Chorus concert, featuring music by the Coleridge-Taylors, Ravel and Poulenc, will be conducted by Sofi Jeannin, who since graduating from the College has gone on to lead major choruses across Europe and here in London.
Composer and conductor Sir James MacMillan will spend a week with us in November, sharing his extensive experience with our students. As the centrepiece of his visit, he will conduct the RCM Symphony Orchestra in his own music alongside Wynton Marsalis’ Tuba Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
We’re pleased to be collaborating with musicians from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris to mark the centenary of Pierre Boulez’ birth, with performances led by Timothy Lines in London and Paris. Boulez’ music is also at the heart of our Electric Dreams programme curated by Dr Diana Salazar.
Our autumn opera is Janáček’s enchanting The Cunning Little Vixen, in a new production directed by Orpha Phelan. An extensive masterclass programme includes visits from Alisa Weilerstein, Ann Murray, Fábio Cury, Edith Wiens and many other international guests.
There are many other ensemble and chamber music concerts to enjoy at the College and further afield, and our vibrant Junior Department performances include Rachmaninov’s magnificent Second Symphony.
Thank you for your continued support of the Royal College of Music, and we look forward greatly to welcoming you to an upcoming performance.
Andrew Moore, Artistic Director
SEASON EVENTS
Thursday 25 September
RCM WIND ORCHESTRA:
DANCE SUITES
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Richard Ward conductor
RCM Wind Orchestra
Coleridge-Taylor (arr Winterbottom and Richard Ward)
Dance from Othello op 79 Ring (arr Dan Godfrey)
Carnival Suite
Arabian Dances
Lazy Dance (La paresseuse)
Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1947 version)
Jessie Montgomery Coincident Dances
In the Royal College of Music’s opening concert of the season, discover the music of Montague Ring, the musical alias of composer Amanda Aldridge who studied voice at the RCM in the 1880s. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience her captivating compositions, reimagined for wind orchestra.
Aldridge’s works feature alongside another RCM alumnus, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, whose Othello was written as incidental music for a 1912 production of the Shakespeare play; Stravinsky’s striking and influential Symphonies; and Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances, which draws inspiration from the vibrant sounds and energy of New York’s diverse cultural landscape.
Tickets: £5
OCTOBER
Wednesday 8 October
RCM STRING ORCHESTRA: HEADS OR TAILS
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Jonathan Morton director
RCM String Orchestra
Górecki Three Pieces In Old Style
Erkki-Sven Tüür Action from Action-Passion-Illusion
Walker Lyric for Strings
Dani Howard Heads or Tails
Shostakovich (arr Barshai) Chamber Symphony for String Orchestra op 110a
The Royal College of Music is pleased to welcome back Jonathan Morton for a concert culminating in Shostakovich’s gripping Chamber Symphony, an arrangement of his Eighth String Quartet, a work both powerful and poignant, with deeply moving melodies. Also on the bill are Górecki’s trio of pieces based on old Polish music, Walker’s popular Lyric for Strings dating from his early days as a composer, and RCM alumna Dani Howard’s hypnotic Heads or Tails. Plus, be swept up in the intricate rhythmic layers of the first movement of Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür’s Action-Passion-Illusion
Tickets: £5
BOULEZ 100
The Royal College of Music marks the centenary of legendary French composer, Pierre Boulez, with two concerts inspired by his music.
Wednesday 8 October
PARIS: LONDON
7.30pm | Performance Hall
Timothy Lines director
Musicians from RCM and Conservatoire
National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
Boulez Dérive I
Rebecca Saunders Disclosure
Thomas Adès Catch
Hanze Liu (CNSMDP) New work (world premiere)
Ryan Collis (RCM) New work (world premiere)
Musicians from the Royal College of Music and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris come together for special collaborative performances of new and recent music here at the RCM and the Paris Conservatoire.
The programme features world premieres, and Dérive I for six instruments by one of the titans of French music, Pierre Boulez, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth this year. Directing is RCM professor and contemporary music specialist
Timothy Lines, who brings his usual insight and energy to the proceedings.
Tickets: £5
Monday
13 October
ELECTRIC DREAMS
6pm | Performance Hall
Programme to include: Boulez Anthèmes II
Immerse yourself in a multisensory experience in the latest instalment of the Royal College of Music’s Electric Dreams series.
In a programme of diverse and exciting works curated by Dr Diana Salazar, the RCM celebrates French composer Pierre Boulez’ centenary year with a skilful performance of Anthèmes II. Originally a composition for solo violin which took inspiration from Boulez’ childhood memories of Catholic church services, this concert features his 1995 electro-acoustic version.
Tickets: £5
Pierre Boulez, 1958
Photo Ingi Paris
Thursday 9 October
RCM WIND ENSEMBLE: KAMMERKONZERT
7.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Douglas Boyd conductor
Kynan Walker violin
Daniel Xia piano
RCM Wind Ensemble
Milhaud La création du monde
Valerie Coleman Revelry
Robert Baird New work (world premiere)
Berg Kammerkonzert
The Royal College of Music welcomes oboist and conductor Douglas Boyd for a vibrant evening of 20th- and 21st-century chamber music, featuring Milhaud’s jazz-infused ballet – a rhythmic and sensuous piece that outlines the creation of the world based on African folk mythology. Alongside, hear Valerie Coleman’s high-spirited Revelry, exploring the dark side of jubilation, and a world premiere by RCM composer
Robert Baird. Austrian composer Berg’s richly expressive Kammerkonzert, written specially for Schoenberg’s 50th birthday, concludes the programme.
Tickets: £5
UNDER 35
Wednesday 15 October
RCM JAZZ ORCHESTRA:
ED PUDDICK
7.30pm | Britten Theatre
Ed Puddick director
RCM Jazz Orchestra
Award-winning jazz arranger and composer Ed Puddick makes his debut with the RCM Jazz Orchestra this season.
Hear a selection of Ed’s unique arrangements and intricate originals, influenced by the rich tradition of big bands but with a modern twist. Throughout the concert, musical styles from around the world unite to create boundless opportunities for creative exploration.
Supported by The Victor Ford Swale Jazz Fund
Tickets: £15; £10 under 35
Thursday 16 October MARMEN RESIDENCY
7.30pm | Performance Hall
Marmen Quartet
Mozart String Quartet no 19 in C major K465 ’Dissonance’
Haydn String Quartet in B flat major op 76 no 4 ‘Sunrise’ Brahms String Sextet no 2 in G major op 36
Hear an exciting performance from RCM musicians side-by-side with the Marmen Quartet, following regular coaching and mentoring as part of the RCM String Quartet Platform. A programme of spirited works includes the last of Mozart’s set of six dedicated to Haydn, nicknamed ’Dissonance’ for its exceptionally chromatic introduction.
Tickets: £5
LEARN MORE: The Marmen Quartet gives a masterclass on Tuesday 14 October. Turn to page 23 for details.
Friday 17 October ORGAN INTERLUDES
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Elliot Randall organ
Elliot Randall performs in the Royal College of Music’s Organ Interludes series, exploring a variety of works on the RCM’s majestic Flentrop Orgelbouw organ.
Tickets: £5
UNDER 35
Thursday 16 October
ORCHESTRAL MASTERWORKS: LA MER
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Ben Palmer conductor
RCM Philharmonic
Ravel Une barque sur l’océan
Missy Mazzoli Violent, Violent Sea
John Williams Jaws: Suite
Debussy La mer
Set sail on a musical voyage with the RCM Philharmonic in a concert themed around the sea and culminating in Debussy’s majestic seascape, La mer – which he worked on while he was staying in Eastbourne.
Captaining the ship is conductor Ben Palmer, who directs a programme that evokes every facet of the ocean, from lapping waves to ferocious storms. Ravel sets the scene with the sparkling colours of Une barque sur l’océan, inspired by a cruise on a friend’s yacht. American composer Missy Mazzoli has been praised for her ’apocalyptic imagination’, audible in her dramatic seascape – but, thanks to John Williams’ iconic score, things take an even more sinister turn with the most threatening two-note motif ever composed...
This performance is generously supported by the RCM Performance Programme Syndicate Tickets: £10, £8; £5 under 35
JOIN IN Bring the whole family to enjoy the music at our family concert on 19 October. Turn to page 28 for details.
Ben Palmer
UNDER 35
Thursday 30 & Friday 31 October
RCM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS: THE COLERIDGE-TAYLORS
7.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Sofi Jeannin conductor
RCM Symphony Orchestra
RCM Chorus
Mariana Rosas chorus director
Chabrier España
A Coleridge-Taylor (orch Tom Edney) To April
S Coleridge-Taylor Meg Blane op 48
Poulenc Gloria
Ravel Boléro
The Royal College of Music celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, one of the most important composers ever to study at the RCM, with a rare performance of his choral ’rhapsody of the sea’, Meg Blane. Sofi Jeannin conducts the RCM Symphony and Chorus, who also join forces for Poulenc’s Gloria.
The programme is framed by two French works on a Spanish theme: Chabrier’s España and the hypnotic Boléro by Ravel, whose 150th anniversary also falls this year.
Tickets: £20, £15; £10 under 35
Supported by Victoria, Lady Robey CBE HonRCM
LEARN MORE Our Music and Ideas series features Sofi Jeannin on 29 October, see page 25, and the music of Avril Coleridge-Taylor on 12 November.
The music is fresh and original –he has melody and harmony in abundance, and his scoring is brilliant
Sir Arthur Sullivan on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Thursday 23 October
SONG PLUS: FAMILY TIES
6pm | Inner Parry Room
Delving into the sound-world of father and daughter composers Samuel and Avril Coleridge-Taylor, RCM singers and pianists explore their contributions to song, showcasing the character and rich melodies of their music.
Tickets: £5
Wednesday 12 November
Talk: Music and Ideas
AVRIL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR REVEALED THROUGH THE RCM COLLECTIONS
5.15pm | Performance Hall
Tom Edney and Ingrid Pearson examine Avril Coleridge-Taylor’s legacy as performer, composer and conductor. RCM research, using autograph manuscripts, arrangements of music by others including her father Samuel, letters and other items bequeathed to the RCM Library, is vital in furthering our understanding of Avril’s contributions to music. This session concludes with performances of a selection of Avril’s songs.
Thursday
23 October
CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT: FRENCH FANCIES
6pm | Performance Hall
Tailleferre Jeux de plein air
Jolivet Chant de Linos
Debussy String Quartet in G minor op 10
Enjoy the colourful and sensuous music of three French composers in a vibrant programme of chamber works performed by RCM musicians.
Don’t miss the chance to hear the extraordinary work for two pianos by Germaine Tailleferre, who was the only female composer of the group known as Les Six. Meanwhile, Jolivet’s Chant de Linos takes its inspiration from the Greek mythological character of Linus, interspersing laments and dances, while Debussy’s only string quartet is rich in harmony and impressionistic character.
Tickets: £5
Curious to find out more about Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and his time at the RCM? Read our feature in Upbeat magazine. bit.ly/ColeridgeTaylor
UNDER 35
Saturday 26 October
WOODWIND AND BRASS FESTIVAL
11am | Various locations
The RCM’s highly anticipated Woodwind and Brass Festival returns for its second year. This oneday event, under the artistic direction of faculty heads Marie Lloyd and Amos Miller, highlights a diverse range of ensembles, chamber music, solo performances, guest musicians and an all-day trade fair. Woodwind and brass talent shines throughout, with students past and present featured.
Discover the sound-world of winds with their distinct voices, repertoire, tone and textures, alongside captivating rhythm and percussive elements, all coming together for a family-friendly lunchtime performance by the RCM Wind Orchestra. Sign up for our ’Come and Play’ sessions, where you can test out your performance skills in a relaxed yet professional setting.
While you’re here, why not drop into the RCM’s fascinating Museum which houses a unique collection of historic woodwind and brass instruments.
Tickets: £15; £12 under 35
NOVEMBER
Tuesday 4 November CLAVICHORD DAY WITH MARIA
ERDMAN
10am | Performance Hall
Discover the captivating keyboard music of Buxtehude and JS Bach in the Royal College of Music’s annual Clavichord Day. Featuring a masterclass, demonstration and a lunchtime recital, enjoy the opportunity to hear a fascinating selection of historical keyboards. The day’s events will conclude with a roundtable discussion. The College is delighted to welcome celebrated keyboardist Maria Erdman for the day.
Tickets: Pay What You Can
Wednesday 5 November CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT:
BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS
6pm | Performance Hall
Gemma Rosefield director Eve Maxwell soprano RCM Cello Ensemble
Arvo Pärt Fratres
Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras no 5 for cello octet and soprano
Enjoy a rare chance to experience the resonant and atmospheric sonority of a cello ensemble in this unique concert directed from the cello by RCM professor Gemma Rosefield.
Arvo Pärt’s meditative masterpiece Fratres has been used in numerous films and documentaries, offering frantic activity paired with haunting stillness, and exemplifies the composer’s tintinnabuli (’without fixed instrumentation’) technique. Meanwhile, Villa-Lobos blends Brazilian folk rhythms with the elegance of Bach in Bachianas Brasileiras no 5, one of the composer’s best-known pieces. Listen out for moments of birdsong representing the Brazilian forest.
Tickets: £5
UNDER 35
Thursday 6 November
ORCHESTRAL MASTERWORKS: BRAHMS’ SECOND PIANO CONCERTO
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Martyn Brabbins conductor
Misha Kaploukhii piano
RCM Philharmonic
Tom Bradbury Treacle (world premiere)
Brahms Piano Concerto no 2 in B flat major op 83
Visiting Professor of Conducting Martyn Brabbins returns to direct the RCM Philharmonic in a programme of Orchestral Masterworks, with RCM composer Tom Bradbury offering a sweet treat in the form of Treacle, performed publicly for the first time.
RCM Concerto Competition Winner Misha Kaploukhii takes centre stage in the stunning Second Piano Concerto by Brahms. This expansive work unfolds with a sumptuous first movement, powerful second, exquisite slow movement – including a beautiful cello solo – and richly inventive finale.
Supported by the Lawson Innovation Fund
Tickets: £10, £8; £5 under 35
Misha Kaploukhii
Saturday 8 November
RCMJD SOLOISTS CONCERT
5.30pm | Performance Hall
Specially selected RCM Junior Department musicians take centre stage for a concert of solo performances accompanied by piano. Hear these impressive young instrumentalists and witness the stars of the future perform.
Tickets: £5
Monday 10 November
COMPOSITION SHOWCASE
6pm | Performance Hall
Discover new music for solo and instrumental combinations in this afternoon concert which features exciting works by the RCM’s emerging composers.
Tickets: Pay What You Can
Thursday 13 November
SHOSTAKOVICH COMPLETE PRELUDES AND FUGUES
From 2pm | Performance Hall
Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues
Immerse yourself in Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, a monumental cycle for solo piano. Inspired by JS Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, this set explores all major and minor keys, with subtle references to Bach woven throughout. Composed at remarkable speed – just three days per piece – these works range from introspective to exuberant. Drop in at any time during this four-hour concert for a unique journey through Shostakovich’s masterful homage to Baroque form.
Tickets: Pay What You Can
Saturday 15 November
RCMJD SINFONIA: POETS & PIONEERS
5.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Robert Hodge conductor RCMJD Sinfonia
Programme to include: Suppé Overture from Poet and Peasant Arnold (arr Palmer) Suite from The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
Set in the picturesque mountains of Bavaria, Poet and Peasant follows the journey of a poet, with Suppé’s scenic overture conjuring the sense of romance and adventure with earnest melodies and excitable dances. Also on the programme is RCM alumnus Malcolm Arnold’s Suite from The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, written for the 1958 film based on the story of Gladys Aylward, a British missionary woman in China. Arnold’s sweeping Hollywoodesque score is rich and melodic, reflecting the bittersweet narrative.
Tickets: £5
UNDER 35
Thursday 13 November
SIR JAMES MACMILLAN CONDUCTS THE RCM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
7.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Sir James MacMillan conductor Archie McVicar tuba RCM Symphony Orchestra
Sir James MacMillan Woman of the Apocalypse Wynton Marsalis Tuba Concerto Mussorgsky (arr Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition
Sir James MacMillan, who received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Music in 2011, directs the RCM Symphony Orchestra in a dazzling programme featuring his own music.
New Orleans-born trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis wrote his Tuba Concerto in 2021, showcasing the instrument’s untapped agility, with RCM Concerto Competition Winner Archie McVicar taking the starring role in this concert.
The concert culminates in a series of vivid images conjured in sound: Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
Tickets: £20, £15; £10 under 35
Pre-concert performance
6.15pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Enjoy a pre-concert performance of chamber music, including works by Sir James MacMillan.
Tickets: £5 or free for concert ticket holders
Sir James MacMillan
© Handsvander Woerd
Monday 17 November
RCM BRASS ENSEMBLE: FRENCH SUITES AND SONGS
7.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Amos Miller director RCM Brass Ensemble
Programme to include:
Rameau (arr Roger Harvey) Suite from Castor et Pollux
Poulenc (arr Peter Dörpinghaus) Sept Chansons
Milhaud (arr Jim Bicigo) Île-de-France from Suite Française op 248
Couperin (arr Eric Crees) Fanfare Triomphante
Jolivet Fanfares pour Britannicus
L Boulanger (arr Amos Miller) D’un vieux jardin
Tailleferre (arr Amos Miller) Suite burlesque
The season’s thread of French inspiration continues in this concert of brass suites, songs and fanfares, in exciting arrangements performed by the Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble.
Take a trip through time from Baroque composer
Rameau’s exquisite music from his opera based on mythological twin brothers Castor and Pollux, to Milhaud’s lyrical and lively score in which each movement represents a French region, the Île-de-France. Also on the programme are works by post-Romantic composer Lili Boulanger, as well as Tailleferre’s quirky and effervescent Suite burlesque
Tickets: £5
UNDER 35 Tuesday 18 November KURT COBAIN UNPLUGGED CLOSING CONCERT
6pm | Performance Hall
Curated by Kate Simko, Composition for Screen professor
Experience an evening of electronic hybrid music by RCM composers, inspired by the legacy of Kurt Cobain. This live concert, created in response to the Kurt Cobain: Unplugged exhibition at the RCM Museum, commemorates the anniversary of the legendary MTV Unplugged performance.
Tickets: £8; £5 under 35
UNDER 35
Monday 24, Wednesday 26, Friday 28 & Saturday 29 November
THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN
7pm | Britten Theatre
Michael Rosewell conductor
Orpha Phelan director
Nate Gibson designer
Mark Jonathan lighting designer
Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen
Sung in English
Immerse yourself in the Britten Theatre as it is transformed into a forest for Janáček’s opera
The Cunning Little Vixen. Playful parallels are drawn between animal and human life, hinting at shared characteristics while revelling in the variety of nature.
Through a tender series of snapshots of everyday mundanities, we witness love, longing and loss, made all the more profound through Janáček’s lush orchestral writing intermixed with folk tunes. This is an opera about the power of nature and the cycle of life, and this production promises to lean into the chaos and episodic nature of the work, embracing Vixen’s own untameable wildness.
Tickets: £60, £40, £20; £10 under 35
The RCM Opera Studio is supported by the Patrick & Helena Frost Foundation and Old Possum’s Practical Trust
THE CAROLEAN
Make the most of your visit to the Royal College of Music by grabbing a bite in our café, The Carolean.
Enjoy your refreshments inside or out, with access to our spectacular 1851 Courtyard, while accompanied by the sounds of music from across the College.
Choose from barista-style coffees, sandwiches, snacks and hot food, and a salad bar with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Wine and bottled beverages are also served before most mid-week evening concerts. www.rcm.ac.uk/carolean
Monday–Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm Saturday: 8.30am–4.30pm (term time only*)
Concert days: from 5pm
*See website for details
Wednesday 19 November
ANGLO-AUSTRIAN SOCIETY: VIENNESE WHIRL
7.30pm | Performance Hall
Brahms Piano Trio no 1 in B major op 8
This concert forms part of an exciting exchange project with the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Hear Brahms’ Piano Trio no 1 in B major – a work of sweeping lyricism, youthful passion and later-life refinement, revised by the composer decades after its original composition. This performance forms part of a three-concert series, with events also taking place in Salzburg’s Wiener Saal (12 November) and the Austrian Embassy, London (20 November).
Tickets: £5
Friday 21 November
BASSOON SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH FÁBIO CURY
3.30pm | Performance Hall
Continuing his debut residency at the Royal College of Music, Brazilian bassoonist Fábio Cury performs alongside RCM bassoonists in a programme inspired by music from his homeland.
Supported by Victoria, Lady Robey CBE HonRCM
Tickets: £5
LEARN MORE: Fábio Cury gives a masterclass on Tuesday 18 November. Turn to page 23 for details.
UNDER 35
Friday 21 November
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
6pm | Performance Studio
See the world through a new lens as RCM composers present innovative compositions inspired by a selection of images from the Natural History Museum’s 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
This unique concert features a series of short works for solo, duo and trio ensembles alongside the striking images that inspired them. The performance will take you to the far ends of the Earth, from the deepest seas to the driest deserts, with music that builds on these evocative images of the natural world.
Tickets: £8; £5 under 35
Friday 21 November ORGAN
INTERLUDES
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Jake Scicinski organ
Jake Scicinski performs in the Royal College of Music’s Organ Interludes series, exploring a variety of works on the RCM’s majestic Flentrop Orgelbouw organ.
Tickets: £5
Saturday 22 November
RCMJD CHAMBER CONCERT
5.30pm | Performance Hall
The RCM Junior Department is formed of inspiring young musicians aged eight to 18. See these rising stars perform a varied programme of works for small ensembles.
Tickets: £5
Tuesday 25 November
MUSEUM LATE: VENUS, CUPID & APOLLO
6pm | RCM Museum
María Martínez Ayerza curator/director RCM Recorder Consort
Two exceptional 16th-century instruments in the RCM Museum collection reveal the ongoing importance of classical mythology in Renaissance culture. The lid decoration of the harpsichord (1531) by Alessandro Trasuntino depicts Venus and Cupid, while the virginal (1593) by Giovanni Celestini is illustrated with three episodes from the life of Apollo.
Mythological figures and themes are recurrent in Renaissance art and literature. In this Museum Late concert, the RCM Recorder Consort explores their presence in music. These stories are told in Franco-Flemish chansons, Italian madrigals and English songs.
Tickets: £5
Trasuntino harpsichord, RCM Museum
Wednesday 26 November
MUSIC FOR THE KING’S PLEASURE
6pm | Performance Hall
Befitting this season’s French music theme, musicians from the Historical Performance Faculty present a variety of 17th- and 18th-century instrumental and vocal chamber works by Couperin, Montéclair, Rameau and Marais.
Tickets: £5
Saturday 29 November
RCMJD CONTEMPORARY CONCERT
5.15pm | Performance Hall
Visit the Royal College of Music for a vibrant programme featuring new works composed by RCM Junior Department composers for RCMJD ensembles.
Tickets: £5
Saturday 29 November
RCMJD
CHAMBER AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS: RACHMANINOV 2
7pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Leandro Silvera Chamber Orchestra director
Jacques Cohen Symphony Orchestra conductor
Jessie Montgomery Starburst
Shostakovich (arr Barshai) Chamber Symphony op 110a Rachmaninov Symphony no 2
Jacques Cohen and Leandro Silvera conduct the exceptional young talent of the RCM Junior Department Symphony and Chamber orchestras. Jessie Montgomery composed Starburst to evoke the rapid formation of stars, creating a piece in which ’exploding gestures are juxtaposed with gentle fleeting melodies’. Rachmaninov’s Symphony no 2 is full of his trademark lyricism and achingly beautiful harmony.
Tickets: £5
Thursday 27 November
NEW PERSPECTIVES: CELEBRATING COLIN MATTHEWS
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Timothy Lines director and conductor Yi-Chuan Chen conductor
Matthew Bottaro flute New Perspectives
Samantha Fernando Formations
Berg (arr Colin Matthews) Vier Stücke
Jamie Smith New work (world premiere) Boulez Mémoriale
Colin Matthews Two Part Invention
Anticipating the 80th birthday of RCM Prince Consort Professor of Music Colin Matthews, Timothy Lines directs a concert that celebrates this legendary composer. Colin Matthews has deep connections to the RCM, including working with alumni Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst, and this concert features his Two Part Invention alongside his arrangement of Berg’s Vier Stücke. Berg’s 140th anniversary falls this year, as does Boulez’ centenary, and the programme begins with Boulez’ tribute to Stravinsky, Mémoriale
Tickets: £5
Colin Matthews with Imogen Holst & Oliver Knussen
© Britten Pears Arts
DECEMBER
Friday 5 December PERCUSSION SHOWCASE
6pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Get lost in an evening of invigorating percussion works, with performances on a range of instruments from Royal College of Music ensembles including the renowned PERC’M. This concert includes specially written works and arrangements of popular classics by RCM percussionists, and a world premiere by the winner of the Percussion Composition Competition.
Tickets: £5
Saturday 6 December RCMJD SOLOISTS CONCERT
11am | Performance Hall
Specially selected RCM Junior Department musicians take centre stage for a concert of solo performances accompanied by piano. Hear these impressive young instrumentalists and witness the stars of the future perform.
Tickets: £5
Saturday 6 December RCMJD END OF TERM CONCERT
2.30pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
This lively concert promises a rousing end to the Autumn Term with a packed programme. This is the opportunity to see all the RCM Junior Department’s major ensembles perform, including the Brass Dectet, Wind Octet, String Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Advanced Vocal Ensemble and Upper Voices.
Tickets: £5
COMING SOON: 2026 FESTIVALS
Save the dates! The Royal College of Music looks forward to a series of festivals celebrating the many facets of its musical life. Put these in your diary so you don’t miss stellar guest artists, stunning performances and lots of extras, from interactive workshops to trade fairs.
1 February
14–Sunday 15 February
CHAMBER MUSIC
Enjoy a wide range of chamber music from a variety of ensembles of talented RCM musicians at our lunchtime and early-evening concerts.
www.rcm.ac.uk/chamber
Tickets: Pay What You Can (unless otherwise stated)
CHAMBER TUESDAYS
1.05pm | Various locations
23 and 30 September
14 and 21 October
11, 18 and 25 November
CHAMBER RUSH-HOURS
6pm | Various locations
2 and 9 October
CARNE ROOM ELEVENSES
11am | The Carne Room
This season the RCM continues its late-morning chamber performances in The Carne Room, which offers spectacular views of the Royal Albert Hall.
7 October
4 November
Tickets: £5 (includes a hot drink in our café, The Carolean)
FRIDAY MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM
12.30pm | RCM Museum
Enjoy polished chamber performances amongst a beautiful collection of historic artefacts and instruments.
21 and 28 November
Tickets: £5
MASTERCLASSES
The Royal College of Music regularly welcomes some of today’s finest artists to work with RCM musicians. Our masterclass series is a great way to find out more about the process behind the performance.
Please check www.rcm.ac.uk/masterclasses for newly added dates.
Tickets: Pay What You Can (unless otherwise stated)
SEPTEMBER
Wednesday 17 September
2pm | Britten Theatre
Vocal: Ann Murray
Tickets: £5
Tuesday 30 September
6pm | Performance Hall
Bassoon: Marc Engelhardt
OCTOBER
Wednesday 1 October
2pm | Britten Theatre
Vocal: Edith Wiens
Friday 3 October ^
2pm | Performance Hall
Trombone: Clare Farr
Tuesday 7 October
10am | Performance Hall Piano: Roy Howat
Tuesday 7 October ^ 6pm | Performance Hall
Violin: Gordan Nikolić
Tickets: £5
Tuesday 14 October
6pm | Performance Hall
Flute: Amy Yule
Tuesday 14 October
6pm | Recital Hall
Clarinet: Maximiliano Martín
Friday 26 September*
2pm | Performance Hall
CELLO: ALISA WEILERSTEIN
Hailed as ’truly a phenomenon’ by The Telegraph, award winning, acclaimed American cellist Alisa Weilerstein has built an impressive international career collaborating with some of the world’s most esteemed conductors and orchestras including New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw and Berlin Philharmonic. In addition to being a leading expert on Bach’s unaccompanied cello works, she is also a champion for contemporary music, making her an outstanding mentor for emerging cellists at the RCM.
Tickets: £5
Alisa Weilerstein © Marco Borggreve
Tuesday 14 October
6pm | The Carne Room
Harp: Isabelle Moretti
Friday 17 October
2pm | Performance Hall
Saxophone: Andrew Somerville
Monday 20 October
6pm | Performance Studio
Historical flute: François Lazarevitch
Tuesday 21 October
6pm | The Carne Room
Oboe: Philippe Tondre
Thursday 23 October
6pm | Performance Studio
Historical violin: Simon Standage
Tuesday 14 October*
2pm | Recital Hall
CHAMBER
MUSIC: MARMEN QUARTET
The inspiring Marmen Quartet is establishing itself as one of the most impressive and engaging talents in chamber music, demonstrated by recent first prizes at the prestigious Bordeaux and Banff international string quartet competitions. The Quartet has performed in some of the UK’s most prestigious halls and festivals, including Wigmore Hall and BBC Proms. Established in 2013 at the Royal College of Music, the Quartet has since contributed to the development of aspiring chamber musicians through side-by-side projects, and the RCM String Quartet Platform.
Tickets: £5
NOVEMBER
Tuesday 4 November ◊
6pm | Performance Hall
Horn: Gail Williams
Tuesday 4 November
6pm | Performance Studio
Viola: Soon-Mi Chung
Barratt-Due
Tuesday 11 November
10am | Performance Hall
Piano: Florence Millet
Tuesday 11 November ^
6pm | The Carne Room
Oboe: Ramón Ortega Quero
Friday 14 November
2pm | Performance Hall
Clarinet: Andreas Sundén
Tuesday 18 November
10am | Performance Hall
Piano: Chun-Chieh Yen
Tuesday 18 November
6pm | Recital Hall
Flute: André Cebrián
Tuesday 18 November ◊
6pm | The Carne Room
Bassoon: Fábio Cury
Tuesday 25 November
10am | Performance Hall
Piano: Haiou Zhang
Key for masterclass supporters
* Belle Shenkman International Masterclass
^ Supported by the Rolando Fund for Visiting Professors at the RCM
◊ Supported by Victoria, Lady Robey CBE HonRCM
Marmen Quartet © Marco Borggreve
TALKS AND SEMINARS
Whatever your musical interests, we invite you to further your knowledge in a stimulating range of talks and presentations given by specialists from across the music profession.
www.rcm.ac.uk/talks
Tickets: Pay What You Can (unless otherwise stated)
Wednesday 24 September
Museum Talk:
UNPLUGGING NIRVANA: KURT COBAIN’S GUITAR AND THE MYTH OF ACOUSTICITY
5.15pm | Museum
Steve Waksman
How is it that Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar – the centerpiece of the Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum – has become not just a valued symbol of the artist and his legacy, but the most expensive guitar sold at auction? This lecture reflects on the guitar and its value by linking it to the idea of ’acousticity’, or the notion that there is a unique authenticity associated with acoustic (as opposed to electric) instruments.
Wednesday 1 October
PERFORMANCE SCIENCE 25
5.15pm | Performance Hall
Contributors to include:
Larry Clark Lead Instructor, Boeing Chinook, Inzpire LTD, RAF Odiham
Roger Kneebone Professor of Surgical Education and Engagement Science, Imperial College London
Diana Salazar RCM Director of Programmes
George Waddell RCM Performance Research and Innovation Fellow
Aaron Williamon RCM Professor of Performance Science
Celebrating 25 years of Performance Science at the Royal College of Music, this event highlights the College’s pioneering role in the field along with innovative, and often unconventional, perspectives and collaborations that have driven its ambitious research, teaching and knowledge exchange initiatives.
The event will include tours of the Performance Laboratory and a roundtable discussion, ’Learning in the Spotlight’.
Wednesday 8 October
Music and Ideas:
INTRODUCING ANDREW MOORE, RCM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
5.15pm | The Carne Room
Andrew Moore joined the Royal College of Music in March this year, having most recently worked in Scotland and Australia. In conversation with Diana Salazar, RCM Director of Programmes, Andrew reflects on his musical journey and shares his aspirations for the College’s artistic programme.
Wednesday 15 October Museum Talk:
SOMETHING IN THE WAY: THE MUSICAL LANGUAGE OF NIRVANA
5.15pm | Museum
Professor Milton Mermikides explores the harmonic, rhythmic and timbral grammar that made Nirvana’s music both raw and revolutionary. Through close analysis of song examples, performance practices, and the broader aesthetics of grunge, this talk uncovers how Nirvana crafted music that resonated with a generation.
Wednesday 29 October
Music and Ideas:
RCM ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT: SOFI JEANNIN
5.15pm | Performance Hall
Mezzo soprano and conductor Sofi Jeannin enjoys an international reputation as a choral specialist. In this session Sofi reflects on her role as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers and presents her insights into the RCM’s forthcoming performance of Francis Poulenc’s Gloria
See page 8 for more details.
Wednesday 12 November
Music and Ideas
AVRIL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR REVEALED THROUGH THE RCM COLLECTIONS
5.15pm | Performance Hall
Tom Edney and Ingrid Pearson examine Avril Coleridge-Taylor’s legacy as performer, composer and conductor. See page 9 for more details.
Monday 15 December Conference: PIANO
MUSIC OF THE 20TH CENTURY
9am | Performance Hall
This thought-provoking one-day conference explores practice-led research into 20th-century piano repertoire and performance.
Supported by the Royal Musical Association and the Music & Letters Trust
For more information, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/research/20cpiano
Tickets: £30, £15 (students from other institutions)
Sofi Jeannin © Ars Nova Copenhagen, Jeppe Bjoern
MUSEUM TOURS & EVENTS
Visit the Royal College of Music Museum and browse priceless musical treasures, join a guided tour, or attend special chamber performances on historical instruments
Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/museum for more details and how to book.
Tuesday 4 November ASK A CONSERVATOR DAY
12–4pm
Meet our expert conservators, in person or online. Would you like some guidance on how to care for your instrument, manuscripts or heirlooms? Conservators will offer expert guidance on how to take care of your treasures.
Tickets: Free, no booking required
Every Wednesday GUIDED TOURS
12.30–1.15pm
Enjoy a tour of the RCM Museum led by our knowledgeable team. Our passionate guides will share intriguing stories and insights, ensuring that your visit is both informative and enjoyable. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply curious, this tour promises to enhance your appreciation of our musical heritage.
Tickets: Free, booking required
By request GROUP TOURS
The Museum offers engaging 45-minute tours designed for groups of six to a maximum of 15 people. These tours can be tailored to meet the specific interests, age groups or needs of visitors, ensuring a personalised experience.
Tickets: £5 per person (£3.50 concession)
By request MUSEUM TOUR & WOLFSON CENTRE OBJECT HANDLING SESSION
Get hands on with the RCM’s musical history. Groups of students from higher education institutions interested in music studies or musical instrument making can enjoy a tour of the Museum alongside a session of handling unique objects from the RCM collections in our new research facility, the Wolfson Centre in Music & Material Culture.
Tickets: £7 per person (£5 concession)
KURT COBAIN UNPLUGGED RELATED EVENTS
Wednesday 24 September
Museum Talk: Unplugging Nirvana: Kurt Cobain’s Guitar and the Myth of Acousticity
5.15pm | See page 24 for details
Wednesday 15 October
Something in the Way:
The Musical Language of Nirvana
5.15pm | See page 25 for details
Tuesday 18 November
Kurt Cobain Unplugged Closing Concert
6pm | See page 14 for details
By request, every Tuesday & Thursday
Educational Programme 1pm
Inspire students with a visit to the Museum. This is a specially tailored programme related to the exhibition for school-age groups from Key Stages 1 to 5.
Until Tuesday 18 November
KURT COBAIN UNPLUGGED
Open Tuesday–Sunday | RCM Museum | Please visit the website for opening times
The story behind one of music’s most iconic guitars
Visit the Royal College of Music Museum this autumn to view one of the most famous acoustic guitars in rock history – Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E.
The exhibition explores Nirvana’s groundbreaking MTV Unplugged performance and also reunites the guitar with another piece of rock history: Cobain’s famous olive-green mohair cardigan. This marks the first time these two legendary items have been displayed together.
With thanks to Peter Freedman AM and RØDE for the generous loan of the guitar for this special exhibition.
Tickets: £5
www.rcm.ac.uk/kurtcobain
PRIZE DRAW
Visit bit.ly/CobainPlectrum for a chance to win Kurt Cobain’s plectrum!
All proceeds directly support students and the Future of Music Fund at the Royal College of Music.
Tickets: £5
PARTICIPATORY EVENTS
FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Whether introducing children to classical music for the first time, or looking for inspiring ways to delve deeper, families and young people can experience the unforgettable thrill of workshops and performances run by the RCM Museum and RCM Sparks, our learning and participation programme.
HOW TO BOOK: All events must be booked in advance through the RCM Box Office, unless otherwise stated. Free tickets are available subject to eligibility.
Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/sparks/events for full details.
Tuesday 14 October
SCHOOLS’ CONCERT
11.30am and 1.15pm | Britten Theatre
Run by RCM Sparks
Key Stage 2 school parties
Ed Puddick director
Aga Serugo-Lugo presenter
RCM Jazz Orchestra
Join the RCM Jazz Orchestra for an exciting mix of Ed Puddick’s quirky arrangements and intricate originals, influenced by the whole big band tradition but with a modern twist. Musical styles from around the world are brought together to create boundless opportunities for creative exploration.
This concert will include a specially composed participatory song so that everyone can get involved!
Supported by The Victor Ford Swale Jazz Fund
Tickets: Free, booking required. Visit website for details. Booking opens on Friday 5 September at 8am.
Sunday 19 October
FAMILY CONCERT: A MUSICAL VOYAGE!
12pm | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall
Run by RCM Sparks
Ages 4+
Wooju Baik and Ben Draper conductors
Rachel Leach presenter
RCM Philharmonic
Dive into an unforgettable orchestral adventure with our Family Concert: A Musical Voyage! This uplifting performance features enchanting melodies and thrilling rhythms inspired by the ocean’s beauty, mystery and power. Perfect for all ages, the concert brings waves of excitement with sea-themed classics, storytelling and interactive moments the whole family will enjoy.
Tickets: £5 (child), £8 (adult)
Tuesday 28–Wednesday 29 October
GALSI
10.30am | Various locations
Run by GALSI and RCM Sparks
Ages 8–18
GALSI – Gender and the Large and Shiny Instruments –is a pioneering initiative promoting gender equality among instruments not traditionally played by women. This two-day course, run in partnership with RCM Sparks, is open to anyone who plays a brass or percussion instrument, is aged eight to 18 years old, and identifies as female or non-binary.
Participants will be split into junior, intermediate and senior ensembles for workshops, masterclasses and performances.
Tickets: Visit website for details Free tickets available, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
Thursday 30–Friday 31 October
EXPLORERS COURSE
9.45am | Jay Mews Upper Studio
Run by RCM Sparks
Ages 7–12
A popular two-day course focusing on creative music-making, storytelling, instrumental playing and singing. This course is led by Anna Conomos and Anna Jewitt
Tickets: £75
Free tickets available, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
August 2025–April 2026
SPRINGBOARD YOUNG COMPOSERS COURSE
Run by RCM Sparks
Ages 14–15
For instrumentalists, singers, composers or songwriters from any musical background in school years 9 and 10.
Join Fraser Turner for a fun, accessible and hands-on approach to creating music of all styles. There is no requirement to be able to read or notate music.
Tickets: Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/sparks/composers for details. Free tickets available, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
Sunday 26 October–Sunday 2 November
MUSEUM HALF TERM FAMILY FUN
Run by the RCM Museum
Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities in the Royal College of Music Museum this half term. Discover and engage with our amazing collections through a treasure hunt in the Museum Gallery!
INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAMMES
Run by RCM Sparks
Throughout the year, the Royal College of Music runs a variety of instrumental programmes for young musicians up to age 18.
To keep up to date with upcoming activities please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/sparks
Tickets: Drop-in activities will be free, no ticket required. Specific activities may be ticketed, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/events ahead of your visit.
SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF MUSIC
An RCM membership is the best way to keep up with news and events taking place at the Royal College of Music, while helping us to provide world-leading education and training to our talented students.
From just £52 a year, you will join a growing community of music lovers and enjoy benefits such as:
• Priority booking for all RCM performances and opera productions
• Regular advance information on RCM events via the Events Guide
• Our termly Upbeat magazine and monthly Keynote email
• Access to an exclusive programme of Friends events
RCM Friends membership also makes an ideal gift for a music-loving friend or family member.
To find out more, please call 020 7591 4353 or email friends@rcm.ac.uk, or visit www.rcm.ac.uk/friends
To learn about further opportunities to support the Royal College of Music, such as through our Scholarships programme or leaving a gift in your Will, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/support
OUT AND ABOUT
In addition to concerts at the Royal College of Music in South Kensington, RCM performers regularly appear at a number of venues across London and beyond.
Tickets: Free, no tickets required, except where otherwise stated
Royal Albert Hall
Elgar Room, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP
Classical Coffee Concerts
28 September, 11am and 2pm
26 October, 10am 23 November, 10am
Tickets: £14 (with hot drink and pastry) available from www.royalalberthall.com
Austrian Cultural Forum
1.05pm | 28 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PQ
6 and 27 October 10 and 24 November
Tickets: www.acflondon.org
Korean Cultural Centre UK
7pm | Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5BW
New Talents’ Recital 25 September
Tickets: Free, but booking required www.kccuk.org.uk
Klosters Christmas Festival
Klosters, Switzerland 12–14 December
Tickets: www.weihnachtskonzerte-klosters.ch
Pallant House Gallery
8–9 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TJ
Piano Proms
3 October: Roelof Temmingh
28 November: Diana Cooper 19 December: Irena Radić
Frome Concerts Group
3pm | Rook Lane Chapel, Bath Street, Frome, BA11 1DN
12 October: Arie Dakesian
30 November: Fiora String Quartet
Tickets: www.fromeconcertsgroup.org
St Mary Abbots Church
1.05pm | Kensington High Street, W8 4LA
26 September
3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October 7, 14, 21 and 28 November
Morning Calm, St George’s Church Hanover Square
Monday–Friday every morning at 8.40am during the weeks commencing:
29 September
6, 13, 20 and 27 October 3, 10 and 17 November
St James’s Piccadilly
1.10pm | 197 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1J 9LL
12, 19 and 24 September
1, 10, 18 and 22 October
7, 14 and 19 November
3 and 10 December
St Paul’s Cathedral
5pm | London EC4M 8AD
RCM String Orchestra performs at Evensong 1 October
St Pancras Church
1.10pm | Euston Road, London, NW1 2BA
9 and 23 September
2 and 21 October
4 and 25 November
4 and 11 December
BOOKING INFORMATION
HOW TO BOOK
BY PHONE Telephone 020 7591 4314, open weekdays 1–4pm
ONLINE Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/events
Before your visit we recommend checking event details online at www.rcm.ac.uk/events for the most up-to-date information.
There is a £1.95 booking fee per transaction for online and telephone bookings. This fee covers administration and handling costs, allowing ticket income to support training and performance opportunities for our students.
Events starting at 6pm last approximately one hour (no interval). Events starting at 7.30pm last approximately two hours (including an interval). For more information on booking tickets, terms and conditions please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/ticketing
PAY WHAT YOU CAN Our Pay What You Can model for certain events allows you to choose a ticket price that works for you, from £2 to £15, with a free option to ensure our events are accessible for all audience members.
BOOKING OPENS FOR THE AUTUMN SEASON on WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST RCM Friends and supporters at Core Contributor level and above have priority booking from WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST
BOOKING OPENS FOR THE OPERA THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN on WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER. RCM Friends and supporters at Core Contributor level and above have priority booking from WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER
GROUP BOOKINGS of ten or more receive a 10% discount where applicable. Maximum group booking size is 33. School parties must be chaperoned at all times by school staff.
REFUNDS When an event is sold out, ticket returns may be possible at the discretion of Box Office staff. Tickets cannot otherwise be exchanged or refunded, unless a performance is cancelled.
TICKETS ON THE DOOR Tickets are available on the door for many RCM events. However, we recommend that tickets are purchased well in advance and cannot guarantee availability on the day.
LATE ARRIVALS To ensure that other audience members are not disturbed, latecomers’ admission cannot be guaranteed.
SECURITY Please note that all visitors to the RCM may be required to sign in on entry and bag searches may also be in operation.
LIVE STREAMS For further information and links to watch live-streamed events, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/events/live
FEEDBACK
We welcome comments and suggestions on information that can be found in this guide, online or following your visit to the RCM. Please email comments@rcm.ac.uk, or write to:
RCM Box Office
Royal College of Music Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BS
KEEP IN TOUCH
To stay up to date with events at the Royal College of Music you can register online to receive news and updates about our events, exhibitions, products and activities by email at www.rcm.ac.uk/subscribe
You can also follow us on royalcollegeofmusic
@RCMLondon
@RCMLondon
@RCMLondon
@rcmlondon.bsky.social
@royalcollegeofmusic
To receive event information by post, call the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314 or email your contact details to boxoffice@rcm.ac.uk
VISIT US
TRANSPORT
BY TUBE The nearest underground station is South Kensington, which is about ten minutes’ walk from the RCM. South Kensington is on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington stations are both approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the RCM.
BY RAIL The nearest mainline railway stations are Paddington and Victoria.
BY BUS Buses 9, 52 and 452 pass the Royal Albert Hall, whilst 70 runs along Queen’s Gate. The number 360 stops very close to the RCM on Prince Consort Road. Many other services run to South Kensington, Kensington High Street or Knightsbridge from surrounding areas.
BY ROAD There is metered parking on Prince Consort Road and the surrounding area. The College is in Zone A4 and parking is free after 6.30pm and on Sundays. There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces and designated motorbike bays in the surrounding area.
FOOD AND DRINK
Our café, The Carolean, serves barista-style coffees, sandwiches, snacks and hot food in the spectacular surroundings of the 1851 Courtyard and Cotes-Burgan Atrium, Monday to Friday 8.30am–4.30pm and Saturdays 8.30am–4.30pm (term time only).
The Carolean also serves a range of wine and bottled beverages from 5pm for most mid-week concerts in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Britten Theatre and Performance Hall.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND RECORDINGS
Filming, recording and commercial photography are not permitted during concerts and events without prior written permission. Photographs may be taken during applause following a performance unless otherwise notified. Many events at the RCM are filmed and recorded. By attending a performance, you consent to any photography, filming or sound recording which may include you as a member of the audience. For further details, please see our Public Recording Policy at www.rcm.ac.uk/recordingpolicy
ACCESS
The Royal College of Music has easy access to most areas and is fully accessible via lifts and ramps. There are spaces for wheelchair users and seats for their companions in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Performance Hall and Britten Theatre. Please contact the Box Office in advance for bookings and directions. Guide and companion dogs may be taken anywhere on site.
MAIN ENTRANCE There are eight steps up from the pavement and two inside the main doors. A lift is available for wheelchair and disabled access assisted by RCM staff.
AMARYLLIS FLEMING CONCERT HALL There are ten steps down to the main seating area. A lift is available for wheelchair and disabled access assisted by RCM staff. The Balcony is accessible via 18 steps only. There is no induction loop installed.
BRITTEN THEATRE Access to the Britten Theatre is through the Main Entrance. A lift is available for wheelchair and disabled access assisted by RCM staff. The Dress Circle (auditorium left) is accessible to wheelchair users. There is currently no induction loop in the theatre.
PERFORMANCE HALL & PERFORMANCE STUDIO Situated in the sub-basement and basement accessible via atrium stairs and lift. Assisted listening facility is available on request.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC MUSEUM Situated in the basement and accessible via atrium stairs and lift. Please note that assistance is provided for lift access between basement and lower ground floors of the Museum gallery.
Please contact the Box Office in advance if you require step-free access or assistance to access a venue for public performance.
For more information or to request an alternative format of publicity or programmes, please contact the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314.
Cover photograph by James Mason. RCM photography by Chris Christodoulou (pages 11, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 28, 29). Phil Rowley (pages 7, 17, 27). Benjamin Ealovega (pages 2, 4, 10).
Designed by www.splashofpaint.com
All information was correct at the time of going to print.