SUNDAY 10 MAY 2026
WHAT’S ON
A variety of family-friendly events is running throughout the day. Look out for the symbol for workshops and concerts suitable for all ages.
Please note that there is limited capacity for many of these events, including the family workshops, and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Our café, The Carolean, will be serving refreshments from 8.30am–5pm. The Britten Theatre Bar will be open from 4.45pm–8pm.
Trade Fair
From 10.30am | THE CAROLEAN
Don’t miss our all-day trade fair, where experts will be on hand to answer your burning questions. This year we welcome Southern Percussion, Royal Air Force, D’Addario (Promark and Evans), Bergerault Percussion, Insound Mallets, Majestic, Ludwig Musser and more!
INTERACTIVE ZONE
Performance Simulator
10.30 am –11.30 am , 1 pm –1.45 pm , 3.15 pm –4 pm
PERFORMANCE STUDIO
Play drums in our one-of-a-kind simulator that can transform from an intimate studio to a giant arena stage.
Drum Kit Lessons with Matt French
From 11.30 am | PERFORMANCE
STUDIO
Drop in for group or one-to-one sessions with RCM alumnus and Junior Department teacher Matt French. All abilities welcome – no booking required. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
11.30am–11.50am & 11.50am–12.10pm Intermediate (Grade 3–6)
12.10pm–12.30pm & 12.30pm–12.50pm Advanced (Grade 7+)
1.45pm–2.05pm & 2.05pm–2.25pm Beginner (Grade 0–2)
2.25pm–2.45pm & 2.45pm–3.05pm Intermediate (Grade 3–6)
4pm–4.20pm & 4.20pm–4.40pm Intermediate (Grade 3–6)
4.40pm–5pm & 5pm–5.20pm Advanced (Grade 7+)
10.30am–5.30pm COTES-BURGAN ATRIUM
See performances from a drummer’s perspective using immersive VR technology.
RCM SPARKS
10.30am–12.30pm
Registration from 10.15am
VARIOUS
LOCATIONS | AGES 4+
Try out samba, tuned percussion and a Stomp-style workshop, explore the gamelan and attend an inspiring lunchtime concert!
SECRETS FROM THE BACK OF THE BAND: CENTRAL BAND OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE WITH MICK DORAN
11am
AMARYLLIS FLEMING CONCERT HALL
A dynamic opening showcase of precision and power with the principal percussionist of English National Opera, and RAF musicians.
MARIMBA MASTERCLASS WITH CALUM HUGGAN
11am–1pm
Registration in the Foyer for participants who have signed up in advance.
DAVE WECKL IN CONVERSATION & DRUM CLINIC
12.15pm
BRITTEN THEATRE
An insight-packed session with pioneering jazz fusion drummer Dave Weckl in conversation with drumming educator and presenter Mike Dolbear exploring technique, creativity and career highlights. The session will begin with a short performance from the 2026 Zildjian Young Drummer of the Year competition winner, Ellis Gates.
ORCHESTRAL PERCUSSION TASTER SESSIONS WITH CAMERON SINCLAIR
12pm–2pm
Registration in the Foyer for participants who have signed up in advance.
LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH KIZZY BROOKS
1pm
AMARYLLIS FLEMING CONCERT HALL
A vibrant, accessible concert for all ages featuring the Central Band of the Royal Air Force (The Band plays by permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council) and musicians from the RCM Percussion Faculty, all led by RCM graduate Kizzy Brooks.
TIMPANI WITH GRAHAME KING AND DANIEL MARTINEZ
2.15pm PERFORMANCE HALL
Grahame King (Principal Timpanist with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia) and Daniel Martinez (Insound mallets) demonstrate how to choose and use timpani sticks, and how their construction affects the sound.
CRAFTS IN THE MUSEUM
2.30pm–5.30pm
Drop in all afternoon to try your hand at creating wooden handbells.
DRUM DEMO WITH SOPHIE ALLOWAY
3pm BRITTEN THEATRE
A high-energy demonstration of contemporary drumming techniques from one of today’s most exciting performers.
BODHRÁN CLASS WITH CORMAC BYRNE
4pm
PERFORMANCE HALL
Explore the bodhrán, a traditional Irish frame drum, with Cormac Byrne, who is acclaimed for his versatility across a wide range of musical styles from traditional Irish and folk to world, classical, jazz and pop.
WHY CYMBALS SOUND THE WAY THEY DO
4.30pm
BRITTEN THEATRE FOYER
A specialist session exploring SABIAN cymbals with Bruce Parry and Christian Koch.
JUNIOR ENSEMBLES SHOWCASE
5pm
AMARYLLIS FLEMING CONCERT HALL
A dynamic showcase of young percussionists from across the UK, featuring an exciting mix of works for a range of instruments, and introduced by Cameron Sinclair from the RCM Junior Department.
CORMAC BYRNE TRIO
5.45pm BRITTEN THEATRE FOYER
Relax with a drink and enjoy a live set from the Cormac Byrne Trio, featuring Cormac Byrne (bodhrán), Adam Summerhayes (fiddle) and Murray Grainger (accordion).
RCM JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND DAVE WECKL
7.15pm
BRITTEN THEATRE
For the grand finale, take your seats in the atmospheric auditorium of the Britten Theatre for an exhilarating evening of jazz with guest drummer Dave Weckl.
Supported by The Victor Ford Swale Jazz Fund.
Please note, this performance will run for approximately 90 minutes with no interval.
PERFORMERS
DAVE WECKL
Dave Weckl has developed a reputation as one of the great living drummers and has received numerous accolades, including induction into Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame (2008). He has performed with artists including Simon & Garfunkel on their 1983 reunion tour, George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Diana Ross, Robert Plant, as well as jazz musicians Michel Camilo, Mike Stern, Bill Evans and Chick Corea. As a solo artist, Dave has recorded and produced 11 recordings to date. In 1998, Dave formed the world-touring Dave Weckl Band, which has released five studio records and two live albums. He has produced numerous instructional videos and started his own Online School in 2017.
SOPHIE ALLOWAY
Sophie Alloway has played with the likes of Guthrie Govan, Mornington Lockett, Jason Rebello, Laurence Cottle, Yazz Ahmed, George Melly, Shez Raja, David McAlmont, pop singer Gala, rapper Roots Manuva, among many others. For a decade she has been the drummer in original fusion band Lydian Collective, with millions of Spotify streams and millions of YouTube views. TV credits include Later with Jools Holland, Glastonbury, Mercury Music Awards, Gareth Malone’s Christmas specials and all episodes of Adrian Dunbar’s ITV/PBS drama, Ridley. Sophie also played drums for all the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024 finalists (broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3). Her featured tracks on Abbey Road Masters:The Drum Sessions have been used on radio and TV across the world.
KIZZY BROOKS
Having graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2016, Kizzy embarked on a career as a freelance percussionist and timpanist, regularly performing with the UK’s leading orchestras. Kizzy is also a passionate educator and is the co-founder of PercWorks, the UK’s leading online education platform for percussionists as well as a tutor for the National Youth Orchestra and National Children’s Orchestra. Kizzy holds teaching positions at the Junior Royal Academy of Music and Wells Cathedral School and is co-director of the National Youth Percussion Ensemble.
CORMAC BYRNE
Dr Cormac Byrne is an award-winning bodhrán player and percussionist from Waterford, Ireland. Winner of the BBC Young Folk Award and the BBC Fame Academy Education Bursary (2006), he has toured internationally and appeared at major festivals worldwide. Widely known for his work with Mercury Music Prize nominee Seth Lakeman, he is in demand across traditional Irish, folk, world, classical, jazz and pop genres, he has collaborated with leading artists and orchestras, appeared widely on TV and radio, recorded for film and television, performed in acclaimed dance and percussion productions, and completed a PhD in bodhrán performance.
CHRIS J I’ANSON
Squadron Leader Chris I’Anson joined the Royal Air Force in 2003 as a percussionist with the Central Band of the RAF. He has performed worldwide and appeared as a xylophone and marimba soloist on many RAF concert tours. He later commissioned and became Director of Music for the Band of the RAF Regiment, taking up the same role with the Central Band of the RAF before being made Director of Music of the Band of the RAF College. Promoted to Squadron Leader in 2021, he then served as Director of Music and Chief of Staff at Headquarters Music Services. He is delighted to return as Director of Music for the Central Band of the RAF.
CENTRAL BAND OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force was established in 1920 and holds a distinguished place in military music history. In 1922, it became the first military band to be broadcast by the BBC and remains the most frequently featured military band on air. The Band performs regularly at major international events, celebrations and renowned military tattoos, including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Basel Tattoo and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. The Band supported the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, D-Day 80 commemorations in Normandy, and the Lionesses’ UEFA Women’s Euro victory parade.
MIKE DOLBEAR
With a career spanning 40 years, Mike Dolbear is an online pioneer and committed educator. He is the founder of the Young Drummer of the Year Competition and one of the largest drum websites in the world, mikedolbear.com. He is also the author of the best-selling book Rhythm and Fills and has become a master of mass drumming events. His work includes coordinating 1,000 drummers for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games and 200 drummers in a 2021 TV commercial, as well as the drum features for Hans Zimmer’s first ever solo concerts in London.
MICK DORAN
Mick Doran is Principal Percussionist of the English National Opera Orchestra. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, he was appointed Principal Percussionist of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet before joining ENO. Mick also maintains a busy freelance career with the UK’s leading orchestras, opera and ballet companies, in film scores, West End musicals and contemporary music and jazz. He teaches at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music. Mick regularly appears on radio and television, and as a presenter-performer has created family and solo productions. He founded the Great Little Music Company and Orchestra, is an Associate of RAM, and is a Zildjian Artist.
MATT FRENCH
Matt French studied at the Royal College of Music and was later accepted onto the prestigious Archer Scholarship, where he played with Bobby Lamb’s Trinity Big Band. Matt has played with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and for countless musicals in London’s West End. Matt is currently the drum kit teacher at the RCM Junior Department. He was also involved in preparing the percussion section of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
ELLIS GATES
Born in London, Ellis Gates is an emerging jazz drummer and pianist, and is winner of the UK Young Drummer of the Year 2026. Under the mentorship of Julian Joseph at the Jazz Academy and Joe Pettitt at Trinity School Croydon, where he is an award holder, Ellis has performed on both instruments at venues including Jazz 606, Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express, Fairfield Halls and the Battersea Park Jazz Festival. He regularly performs with his jazz quartet at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens and has shared the stage with musicians such as Pete Long, Julian Joseph and Tony Kofi.
CALUM HUGGAN
Scottish percussionist Calum Huggan has captivated audiences and critics alike with his musicality. An award-winning percussionist, Calum has gained international recognition as a solo and chamber musician, becoming Gramophone magazine’s ‘one to watch’ in 2021 with his debut album, American Music for Marimba on Delphian Records. Passionate about creative learning, Calum is a highly sought-after educator, holding teaching positions at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and as a visiting professor at several other UK institutes. Calum is a Yamaha Artist and an Acoustic Percussion Signature Artist.
GRAHAME KING
Grahame has been Principal Timpanist with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia (the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet) since 1998. He regularly plays as guest Principal Timpanist with many of the UK’s leading orchestras and has toured extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia. On the concert platform and in recording studios Grahame has worked with musicians such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kurt Masur, Andris Nelsons, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Yuri Temirkanov. Grahame is timpani professor at the RCM and visiting teacher at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
DANIEL MARTINEZ
Daniel is a percussionist with over 20 years of experience, trained at the Royal Academy of Music, the Barenboim-Said Academy, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His interest in mallet making began in 2007 under the guidance of David Searcy, evolving from restoring his own and colleagues’ mallets to creating his first basic constructions. He launched his first mallet line in 2011, later committing fully to insoundmallets in 2022. For Daniel, crafting mallets is also a form of personal expression, aimed at maximizing sound projection and contributing meaningfully to the orchestral scene.
BRUCE PARRY AND CHRISTIAN KOCH
Bruce Parry and Christian Koch bring over four decades of combined experience with SABIAN to their work at the intersection of cymbal craftsmanship and performance. Christian is an experienced drum set player, while Bruce performs as a freelance orchestral percussionist. Christian serves as SABIAN’s International Artist Relations Manager, working closely with many of the world’s leading drummers, and is trusted by top artists to select cymbals that match their sound and style. Bruce manages International Orchestral Endorsements, collaborating with players from some of the world’s foremost ensembles, including the Vienna Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
JOHN PAWSON
John first studied Central Javanese Gamelan with Neil Sorrell whilst an undergraduate at the University of York. He was then awarded a Darmasiswa scholarship to continue his studies at Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Surakarta. On his return to the UK in 1990, he began teaching at London’s Southbank Centre, and became co-director of the gamelan programme there from 1994. He has taught gamelan at the Royal College of Music since 2001.
