Resonate: January 2023
Welcome to your January 2023 edition of Resonate, and a very Happy New Year from all of us at the RNCM!
We’re incredibly humbled by the generosity shown by our community in response to the RNCM Engage Appeal this winter – more below.
As our students enjoy the last few days of their well-earned festive break, we’ve got lots to share about what’s on at the RNCM over the next month, including a multitude of fantastic festivals.
RNCM Festivals
The next month sees a whole host of festivals taking place at the RNCM.
RNCM Strings Day (Sat 14 Jan) celebrates staff, students, and visiting international artists performing side-by-side in an exhilarating day of string music and collaboration.
We’re delighted to welcome Grammy-nominated Anna Clyne for our In Focus festival on Thu 19 Jan. Hailed as a ‘composer of uncommon gifts and unusual methods’ by the New York times, Anna is one of the most sought-after composers of today.
The RNCM Brass Band Festival returns Fri 27 – Sun 29 Jan with eight of the UK’s leading brass bands plus performances from the next generation of musicians. Soloists include Daniel Thomas and Michael Cavanagh (Black Dyke Band) and Tom Hutchinson (Cory Band).
As part of the RNCM’s first ever Disability Awareness Week, the College presents the Lucy Hale Day of Music, Disability and Technology on Fri 3 Feb, in collaboration with Drake Music, directed by composer Megan Steinberg and co-directed by composer Ben Lunn.
Full details of all the festivals are available on our What’s On pages.
RNCM Opera Scenes
Wed 25 & Fri 27 Jan, Wed 1 & Fri 3 Feb // 6pm
Book Now
Vocal and conducting students present some of opera’s greatest moments in this free series of staged scenes. A perfect way to feed your curiosity!
Find out which operas our students are performing excepts from each evening on our website.
RNCM Wind Orchestra with Kevin Gowland & Hilary Summers
Wed 25 Jan // 7.30pm
Book now
Featuring flautist and RNCM Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion, Kevin Gowland, this programme reveals the full breadth of richness and colour that only a Wind Orchestra can deliver.
Plus, with our very own Head of Conducting, Mark Heron, featured on the original recording, we can’t wait to perform a live rendition of Stephen McNeff’s Image in Stone with Vocal Tutor and renowned mezzo-soprano Hilary Summers.
RNCM Chamber Choir + Edvard Grieg Kor with Roderick Williams
Thu 26 Jan // 7.30pm
Book now
Baritone and composer Roderick Williams returns to the RNCM this January for a concert that concludes a week-long residency of workshops and rehearsals for the Norway’s Edvard Grieg Kor with the RNCM Chamber Choir.
After two years of postponements, we’re delighted (finally!) to welcome back the EGK for an evening of beautiful Scandinavian sounds and the world première of Roderick’s Du var vinden (You were the wind).
Spotlight: Phoenix Brass
Our full Spring season is now on sale, including our ever popular Monday Lunchtimes and Thursday Lunchtimes and the return of RNCM Day of Percussion on Sun 5 Feb. For full details of what’s on, visit our website.
Thank You
RNCM Engage Appeal
Find out more
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity our RNCM community has shown towards our RNCM Engage Appeal during our 50th year. Our supporters have raised a total of £55,623 so far which will directly support our work in creating musical opportunities for under 18s.
It’s not too late to donate and change young lives through music!
To find out more about the vital impact your donation can make, listen to Alexis Ffrench, pianist, composer, producer and the first Artistic Director of ABRSM, discuss the importance of our Engage programmes here.
Thank you!
New Years Honours list
Principal Professor Linda Merrick receives CBE
We rounded off a fantastic year at the RNCM by saying congratulations to our Principal, Professor Linda Merrick, who received a CBE in the King’s New Year Honours for services to music in higher education.
An innovative and supportive leader, Linda has been a key figure in the sector for many years and we’re incredibly proud that she’s been recognised in this way.
RNCM50 Alumni Open House
Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us!
See the photos
It was wonderful to have so many alumni from across the decades join us back in December for our RNCM50 Alumni Open House.
Forming part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, the day included a concert, interactive experience and archive rooms, a display of former graduation gowns, a memory wall for people to share their RNCM stories, tours of the building, cake cutting and a speech by renowned pianist and alum Stephen Hough.
You can see all the photos from the day over on the RNCM Alumni Facebook page, and watch a video of the special day on our YouTube channel.
BBC Breakfast
Dr Michelle Phillips speaks to the BBC
Listen to BBC Sounds here
This week our very own Head of Enterprise and specialist researcher in music psychology, Dr Michelle Phillips sat down with BBC Breakfast to talk about her involvement with the Science and Industry Museum’s recent exhibtion TURN IT UP: THE POWER OF MUSIC.
Michelle also spoke to BBC 5 Live Breakfast to talk about her research in the field of music and Parkinson’s, our emotional response to music and how music can be a gateway to human development.
You can listen to Michelle’s recent BBC interview here (from 26min).
With tickets for our Spring season now on sale, why not become an RNCM Member to unlock ticket discounts and special events year-round.
For just £35 a year, all members receive:
- 2-4-1 tickets on RNCM Student performances (T+Cs apply)
- Free tickets to weekly RNCM Student Lunchtime Concerts
- 15% off food and drink at the RNCM Bar and Café
- A digital ‘What’s On’ newsletter
- Invitations to at least two special events a year for you and a guest
Now is a great time to join our community of members and experience all our performance programme has to offer, including on our upcoming Strings Day (14 Dec).
Become a member here.
11 January 2023
