RCM More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music

D I R E C T O R , R OYA L C O L L E G E O F M U S I C

C H A I R M A N, M O R E M US I C C A M PA I G N

Professor Colin Lawson

Bob Wigley

The Royal College of Music’s More Music campaign will be one of the most significant contributions to musical education in our lifetime.

The strong tradition of philanthropy at the Royal College of Music is as vital as ever.

At the forefront of British and international music-making for over 130 years, the Royal College of Music has nurtured some of the world’s most pioneering musicians and composers of all time. This tradition continues today with RCM students trained to the highest standards of excellence and graduating to establish dynamic careers on a global stage. However, it is not only students who benefit from the Royal College of Music.

Time and again I hear from people who have come into contact with the College and been greatly enriched by their experience. Tens of thousands of visitors enjoy over 300 concerts each year at the RCM, and ticket prices are kept deliberately low so that money is no barrier to entry. Our inspirational learning and participation programme RCM Sparks places our students with schools that would otherwise have little music provision, and RCM musicians perform on wards at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as part of this important collaboration. It is clear that in myriad ways the Royal College of Music ignites musical curiosity, enriches experience and transforms lives on a daily basis.

But we want to go further. The RCM is ambitious, not just for our current students, but for future generations of talented young musicians. We see it as our duty to ensure that exceptional young people from all over the world find an inspiring home at the Royal College of Music, one that allows them to unlock their potential and guarantees access to excellence. In order to fully unlock this potential we must now transform our building.

Our plans to open up the RCM’s Victorian building aim to create more opportunities for RCM students to further inspire creativity in thousands of children from local communities, children who would otherwise have little connection to high quality music-making.

We want to remove even more barriers to learning by showcasing the wonderful treasures in our special collections with a newly created RCM Museum of Music; a public home for music and culture, housed at the centre of the Royal College of Music and open to all.

Situated opposite the Royal Albert Hall and part of the culturally rich area of South Kensington, the RCM already enjoys the best geographical location of any music conservatoire. To fulfil our dreams of providing more access to the inspirational learning on offer at the RCM we must now open up our building. We must provide more access, more public engagement, more digital provision and more opportunities for future generations of RCM students and visitors to be transformed by More Music.

The Royal College of Music works hard to raise money to support the highest quality professional training for more than 800 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Our musicians go on to perform with the world's leading orchestras, opera companies and musical theatres.

Our composers have produced commissions for opera, orchestra, TV and film and are working throughout the industry in both Hollywood and the UK. Generous donations have enabled us to adapt and improve facilities and create new spaces over the years. The RCM’s Britten Theatre, opened in 1986 by Her Majesty The Queen, seats 400 in an intimate tiered auditorium and provides the perfect space for opera, music, theatre and ballet performances. More recently, the refurbishment of the RCM’s prestigious Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall allows for large scale orchestral and choral concerts in a professional setting with outstanding lighting, sound and recording and broadcast equipment.

The digital and virtual capabilities of these venues have enabled the Royal College of Music to push the boundaries of innovation and communicate globally with the widest possible audience.

A recent student-led production utilised low latency audio and visual technology, enabling artists in different international locations to perform live together.

Much is made possible by the generosity of individuals, companies and charitable trusts that support the Royal College of Music each year. Given declining Government spending on the arts, it is all the more vital that the RCM sources additional funds in order to continue to provide exceptional levels of training and performance opportunities for future generations of the most talented students and remains a world-leading conservatoire. Music is, after all, one of the UK’s very few world class industries.

The RCM enjoys the benefit of philanthropic support not only from a vibrant alumni community, but also from a body of over 500 Friends and Patrons’ Circle members, trusts and foundations and corporate supporters whose generosity is motivated by their admiration and love of what our students achieve – both on the concert stage and in the wider community.

Contributions to the RCM make a real difference to the lives of students and I would argue all our lives, and allow the College to continue to offer incomparable music training in inspirational facilities. I very much hope you will feel inspired to join me in giving generously to the More Music Campaign so ensuring that the Royal College of Music can continue to nurture tomorrow's generation of outstanding musicians in first class facilities.

Sir Roger Norrington FRCM at the Royal College of Music.

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About the Royal College of Music The Royal College of Music is one of the world's leading conservatoires and was ranked the top place to study music in The Guardian's 2016 university league table. We offer a professional music education and nurture the international musicians of the future. Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are undertaken by 800 students whose studies are supplemented by an annual programme of more than 300 concerts, masterclasses and opera productions.

Additionally, we provide access to an inspirational learning environment through our specialist Saturday school – RCM Junior Department – and our learning and participation programme – RCM Sparks.

EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSORS

RESEARCH

Our dedicated professors have the power to inspire, unlock talent and transform lives.

The RCM was named as the London conservatoire with the highest percentage of world-leading research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Our students are offered exceptional opportunities to perform in our prestigious venues with world class guest artists.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Over half of our students are supported by scholarships every year.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The RCM’s Woodhouse Professional Development Centre provides invaluable support and guidance in developing musicians’ careers.

All pioneering cultural and educational institutions must continue to evolve.

RESOURCES

The RCM Museum of Music and Library house an internationally renowned collection of treasures while the RCM Studios offer a professional studio environment.

In developing its already iconic and exceptional facilities, the Royal College of Music has committed to

I N N OVAT I O N

ensuring a world-leading experience

The RCM is the leading exponent in the use of cutting edge digital technology in teaching and performance, enhancing both the student and public experience.

for future students and visitors.

I send my best wishes to my friends We are ever so thankful to the RCM Sparks programme.

Despite our financial status and no musical knowledge, the programme has given both our children and the family as a whole the opportunity to engage in music-making.

at the RCM and whole-heartedly support this wonderful project.

LANG LANG HON DMUS

PA R E N T S O F A N R C M S PA R K S S T U D E N T

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More Music: The Vision

Artist impression of the Atrium (by John Simpson Architects).

Artist impression of the Quad (by John Simpson Architects).

A NEW HOME FOR THE

I M PROV E D PU B L I C FAC I L IT I ES

M O R E P R AC T I C E R O O M S,

REINFORCE OUR GLOBAL

RCM MUSEUM OF MUSIC

W I T H C A FE, B A R, R ES TAU R A N T

RELIEVING THE STR AIN ON

R E PU TAT I O N W I T H N E W D I G I TA L

A N D S O C I A L S PA C ES

C U R R E N T P R A C T I C E FA C I L I T I E S

FAC I L I T I ES T H AT W I L L EN H A N C E TH E CO LLEG E’S PRO FILE AN D EN A B L E G R E AT ER ACC ES S I B I L I T Y TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE AUDIENCE

TWO NEW PERFORMANCE S PAC E S WITH MODERN T E CH N O LO GY A N D R E CO R D I N G EQUIPMENT

RECORDING PR ACTICE ROOMS

STUDIOS

QUAD

R E S TAU R A N T

AT R I U M CAFE

MUSEUM

P E R F O R M A N C E S PAC E B

BAR P E R F O R M A N C E S PAC E A

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The Royal College of Music deservedly attracts the best young talent from across the world. It is a privilege to work alongside today's leading pedagogues and tomorrow's leading artists. These new facilities at the heart of the College and in the heart of London will open up even greater opportunities for this century's greatest musicians.

As a student at the Royal College

MARK MESSENGER FRCM, HEAD OF STRINGS

of Music, I experienced the rich history of inspirational music teaching in the College’s iconic building. The new plans are a wonderful and absolutely necessary part of the next phase in the RCM’s development.

JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER FRCM

I know that studying here at the Royal College of Music has got to be the best decision I have ever made; from the very outset I have been in awe of all the fantastic musicians surrounding me and am reminded daily of how privileged I am to be part of such an exciting creative environment.

KIZZY BROOKS, PERCUSSION (BMUS3)

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C H A I R M A N , R OYA L C O L L E G E O F M U S I C

Professor Lord Winston

This project extends the space in the Royal College of Music in an extraordinary way, opening up the College to the wider public. The RCM Council unanimously selected John Simpson’s design because it augments this Victorian building as well as its heritage. We can now unlock the RCM’s potential, secure its long term future as a world-leading music conservatoire and, crucially, extend excellent musical education and experience to all, including the youngest in our community.

What I’ve found at the Royal College of Music has surpassed my expectations; professional quality studios, world class players, and access to invaluable mentors and guest artists (Hans Zimmer, Eric Whitacre).

MIKE LADOUCEUR, COMPOSITION FOR SCREEN (MCOMP2)

This is not just an investment in the RCM but in the future of music in the UK. It fulfils our commitment to the highest standards in training young musicians for generations to come and enables the RCM to continue to attract the best global talent. The continued pre-eminence of the UK’s orchestras, opera companies and musicians depends upon on this initiative.

I have enjoyed a long relationship with the Royal College of Music and continue to be impressed by the very high level of musical attainment exhibited by so many students and the enthusiasm and dedication of staff.

The exciting redevelopment at the RCM will offer the very best performance spaces and opportunities, befitting of a world class conservatoire, and will support the further artistic development of students to inspire future generations.

VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY HON DMUS

I am thrilled to hear of the Royal College of Music’s plans to develop its facilities. The College is a leader in high level music education and I’m quite sure these plans will only develop this institution further, offering facilities that match its artistic ambitions and achievements. I hope these plans will come to fruition and that the Royal College will continue to offer future generations a rich and varied education in music.

NICOLA BENEDETTI FRCM

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To me, the Royal College of Music has always represented inspirational music teaching and learning and it’s important that this world-leading home for music education reflects this.

These plans will greatly enhance the facilities for students and visitors alike, ensuring the RCM remains at the forefront of the world's great cultural institutions.

ALFIE BOE FRCM

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Bernard Haitink FRCM conducts the RCM Symphony Orchestra.

Being at the Royal College of Music has been a wonderful adventure!

M A FA L D A R A M O S , HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (BMUS3)

General photography Š Chris Christodoulou and Sheila Burnett

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Royal College of Music Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 4300 Email: moremusicsupport@rcm.ac.uk Web: www.rcm.ac.uk/moremusic The Royal College of Music is a registered charity. No. 309268