What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat... The Royal College of Music welcomed new and returning staff and students this term after a summer break which saw a number of exciting developments.
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The Durrington Room on the fourth floor of the South Building has been renovated into a new purpose-built percussion suite – see page ten to find out more from Head of Percussion David Hockings. The state-of-the-art Amadeus practice pods that were in the courtyard have been moved to the third floor Ziff Suite and the remaining practice rooms have been refurbished.
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Meanwhile, improvements to the Blomfield Building include the creation of a new performance space on the ground floor. The Corelli Room encompasses the old G15 and G16 rooms and will hold chamber concerts, lectures and classes. This issue, we also look at how young musicians at the RCM are supported through scholarships. Turn to page 12 for an interview with pianist Martin James Bartlett and his supporter Terry Hitchcock to find out more about this valuable programme. The Royal College of Music is delighted to announce that the RCM Symphony Orchestra will return to the Royal Festival Hall in 2016. Conducted by Diego Masson, the all-Stravinsky programme on Sunday 26 June forms part of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Myths and Rituals series. Save the date as tickets will be on sale soon. Do you have any news you want to share with staff, students and supporters of the RCM? We’re always keen to hear from students and staff, both past and present, so please send your news and pictures to news@rcm.ac.uk by Monday 11 January.
In the news The latest news from the RCM, including the recent visit of the First Lady of China, a tribute to former RCM Director Sir David Willcocks and the launch of the Royal College of Music’s Creative Careers Centre...
10 Percussive Progress Head of Percussion David Hockings describes the exciting development of a brand new percussion suite in the South Building
12 Supporting Young Musicians Upbeat meets with pianist Martin James Bartlett and his scholarship supporter Terry Hitchcock to find out more about how young musicians are supported at the Royal College of Music
14 Meeting the Director Meet Lily Harriss, the RCM’s new Director of Development
16 Student notes… Current student success stories
18 Staff notes… News from professorial, academic and administrative staff
20 Alumni notes… Updates from RCM graduates
22 Obituaries and marriages On Sunday 20 September, 170 alumni from 1956-65 attended a reunion in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall. You can see more photos online at www.rcm.ac.uk/alumni
Front cover – The Royal College of Music’s new percussion suite Inside front cover – Images from the Royal College of Music International Opera School’s summer production of Britten’s Albert Herring Inside back cover – A selection of images of Royal College of Music students and alumni performing at the 2015 BBC Proms All photography © Chris Christodoulou NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we reserve the right to edit submissions
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