Industry Partners and Networks

Based in Salford, Greater Manchester, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra is known worldwide for its innovative and versatile music-making. Over 30% of its players studied at the RNCM and many now teach at the College. Key opportunities include:

• A Professional Experience Scheme for strings, wind, horn, and conducting students;
• A solo performance opportunity for International Artist Diploma students; and
• Side-by-side work with BBC Philharmonic players.

The RNCM is delighted to be building on its long-term collaboration with the BBC, further enhancing a shared commitment to developing emerging talent and opening new routes into careers in music and broadcasting.  Adding to the BBC Philharmonic’s residency at the RNCM, the long-standing professional experience scheme with the orchestra, and in addition to the continuing RNCM / BBC New Generation Artist Fellowship and the recent BBC Introducing @ RNCM all day festival, a number of new initiatives will be put in place this year. These include: a placement in production in BBC Audio North, the BBC’s in-house audio production hub, working with Radio 3; a side-by-side performance of the world-renowned BBC Singers and the RNCM’s acclaimed Chamber Choir. The RNCM will also be part of the pilot of the BBC’s new venture, PHARE, an initiative envisaged as a creator-facing ecosystem to support creation, rights ownership, discoverability, licensing and monetisation, with a particular focus on emerging artists. A number of other initiatives are under discussion, further strengthening the impact of this important  partnership.

Recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading arts festivals, Buxton International Festival offers RNCM vocal students valuable professional experience within a leading summer opera and arts festival. Key opportunities include:

Edvard Grieg Kor (EGK) is a professional vocal ensemble renowned for its innovative performances and recordings, working across opera, choral, and commercial projects. Through our partnership, RNCM vocal and opera students gain valuable insight into professional ensemble work and the wider music industry. Key opportunities include:

Based in London and Greater Manchester, ENO is dedicated to creating extraordinary encounters with opera, on stage and beyond. Key opportunities include:

• The ENO/RNCM Creative Incubator Programme for North West-based artists and collectives who want to develop their practice and experiment with different approaches to performance, storytelling, and collaboration.

Based in Manchester, the Hallé is one of the world’s top symphonic orchestras. Over 40% of its players studied at the RNCM and many now teach at the College. Key opportunities include:

• A Professional Experience Scheme offering wind, brass, and percussion students the chance to participate in invaluable side-by-side workshops with full orchestra sections.;
• Opportunities to audition for the Hallé/RNCM Advanced Orchestral String Apprenticeship for violin, viola, cello, and bass;
• Conducting workshops at Hallé St Peter’s;
• Side-by-side work with Hallé players; and
• Student placements in Hallé arts administration.

The RNCM is the sole UK educational partner of the ECMA, a leading European network dedicated to the ongoing development and support of chamber music and emerging professional ensembles. As a member, the RNCM can nominate exceptional chamber ensembles to participate in masterclasses and residency programmes at partner institutions across Europe. These include the Conservatoire de Paris, the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the Norwegian Academy of Music, and the Liszt Academy Budapest, among many other leading institutions.

Established by alumna Ellie Slorach, Kantos is a trailblazing vocal ensemble, performing at the cutting edge of the creative scene. They produce vocal performances, shaped by the music and stories they believe in. Key opportunities include:

• A Professional Experience Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate vocal students involved in the RNCM Chamber Choir, providing the chance to perform with Kantos in at least two projects a year.

• A Professional Experience Scheme offering strings students the chance to join the ensemble for rehearsals and performances throughout the year; and
• Side-by-side work with Manchester Camerata players.

Recognised for its experimental programming and daring collaborations, Manchester Collective is an innovative arts organisation that is redefining the way that people experience classical music. Key opportunities include:

• A Professional Experience Scheme offering RNCM violinists first-hand experience of the role of a touring chamber musician and collaborator;
• The RNCM x Manchester Collective Studio, providing five postgraduate string players with exceptional experience of radical music-making; and
• Side-by-side performances with Manchester Collective musicians through opportunities integrated into the RNCM and Manchester Collective performance programmes.

Founded by RNCM alumna Jo-Yee Cheung in 2015, the award-winning Olympias Music Foundation is the only organisation in Manchester providing free, formal one-to-one music tuition for hard-to-reach groups who are often excluded from music education because of income, race, age, or disability. The partnership includes:

• Support for an RNCM PhD student to work with Olympias, funded by the Northern Charity Consortium;
• Free piano lessons for Olympias children delivered by RNCM keyboard students undertaking the Piano Pedagogy option; and
• Free tickets to RNCM concerts for Olympias families.

Opera North is a national opera company and arts organisation based in Leeds. Many of its singers and orchestral players teach at the RNCM and alumnus Garry Walker is its Music Director. Key opportunities include:

• A Professional Experience Scheme designed to give brass students firsthand experience as an orchestral musician in professional opera productions;
• A shadowing scheme (supported by the Leverhulme Trust) offering up to seven students the chance to attend studio and production rehearsals, meet the cast and creative teams, and receive coaching on a specific role by a member of the music department; and
• Access to rehearsals throughout the year for RNCM Junior Fellows in Repetiteur Studies.

• A Professional Experience Scheme offering viola and cello students firsthand experience of the role of a creative orchestral artist and programme curator.

Based at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, the RLPO is the UK’s oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra. Over 30% of its players studied at the RNCM, with many working as instrumental tutors at the College. Key opportunities include:

• Side-by-side work with RLPO musicians
• The chance for conducting students to work alongside Domingo Hindoyan and other guest conductors
• Student placements as part of the RLPO’s In Harmony community project; and
• A music-making day introducing young people in Liverpool to opportunities available at the RNCM and Junior RNCM.

With five bands situated across the UK and a dedicated School of Music in Portsmouth, the Royal Marines Band Service is committed to continuous professional development, enabling musicians to build their skills and further their careers as instrumentalists, conductors, or both. Key opportunities include:

• External conducting workshops for RNCM conductors; and
• A Professional Experience Scheme offering wind, brass, and conducting students the chance to rehearse and perform with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland.