Resonate: September 2022

Welcome to your September 2022 edition of Resonate!

While our students enjoy the final few weeks of their well-earned summer break, we’re busy getting ready for the RNCM’s 50th year, including the refurbishment of some of our public spaces – keep your eyes peeled on your next visit to the College.

It’s been an exciting summer for our conducting alumni, with Alpesh Chauhan OBE, conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, and Wilbur Lin named as the new Music Director Designate of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra.

Composition alumnus and RNCM Associate Member Daniel Kidane received a flurry of excellent reviews for his new work Sun Poem, which received its world premiere under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle at the Edinburgh International Festival last month.

The Hallé recently shared a video of Principal Flautist and RNCM alumna Amy Yule performing Debussy’s Syrinx in the beautiful setting of Hallé St Peter’s – watch now.

Continue reading for more news and stories from across our community.

Our autumn season is now on sale, including a series of special events to mark our 50th anniversary. Check out the What’s On page on our website for full details.

RNCM50: Alumni @ the RNCM

As part of our anniversary year celebrations, we have a series of concerts featuring our alumni, launching with:

Manchester Collective: WEATHER
Fri 23 Sep // 8pm
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RNCM Artists-in-Residence, Manchester Collective, perform side-by-side with our students, giving them unprecedented insight into one of the UK’s most innovative chamber orchestras.

Be transported from an East Asian rainforest to the world’s oldest desert; from an Icelandic glacier to the sunken medieval town of Dunwich off the English coast in this stunning live performance featuring real-world sound and film.

Elizabeth Llewellyn (soprano) and Simon Lepper (piano)
Tue 11 Oct // 7.30pm
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Following their award-winning debut album of songs by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, we’re thrilled that alumna and Honorary Fellow Elizabeth Llewellyn MBE and pianist Simon Lepper are joining us for a special recital.

Elizabeth’s distinct artistry and smoky timbre have set her apart as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. Coupled with her unwavering commitment to empowering creators from under-represented backgrounds in classical music, Elizabeth and Simon promise to deliver an inspired evening of music, full of hidden gems and old favourites.

Steven Osborne (piano)
Wed 26 Oct // 7.30pm
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We welcome internationally acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne OBE back to the RNCM for a rare opportunity to hear him perform Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata No 1 in D minor Op 28, together with works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Osborne himself.

One of the most sought-after pianists in Britain, Steven is known for his insightful interpretations and superb musicality. An unrivalled evening of solo piano music not to be missed!

You can also hear our students and alumni performing across Manchester:

Michael Betteridge
Voices of the Sands
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Voices of the Sands is a dramatic new cantata for three voices and harp by composer and alumnus Michael Betteridge, drawing on sea shanties, folktales, and found text.

Currently touring England, you can catch the Manchester performance at The Stoller Hall on Sat 1 Oct, which features alumni Sarah Parkin (voice) and Rosanna Moore (harp). For more details, visit the Stoller Hall website.

Craft
Kantos Chamber Choir
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Featuring three world premières from RNCM composers (Audrey R. Lam, Alice Brookes and Daniel Lik-chi Lau), Craft is a new vocal performance by Kantos Chamber Choir taking place at Manchester’s Design and Craft Centre on Sat 17 Sept. The performance also features an arrangement by alumnus Robin Wallington.

Kantos Chamber Choir was founded in 2015 by conducting alumna Ellie Slorach. For more details, visit Kantos Chamber Choir’s website.

RNCM Ukrainian Musicians Fund
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At the RNCM, we are committed to supporting Ukrainian musicians displaced from their training, enabling them to continue their dreams of studying music, here with us in Manchester. We are supporting them through full fee bursaries and wrap-around support including wellbeing care.

We are looking forward to welcoming the undergraduate, postgraduate and junior students joining us from Ukraine later this month.

We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of the RNCM community, who have already donated almost £47,000 to help these students. Can you help us reach £50,000?

Click here to donate.

Thank you.

Classic FM
RNCM Alumni Named Rising Stars 2022
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Congratulations to soprano Isabelle Peters and pianist Iyad Sughayer – both have been featured in Classic FM’s ‘30 under 30’ Rising Stars 2022, compiled in collaboration with Julian Lloyd Webber.

‘These musicians are quite extraordinary and I can’t wait to share their brilliant talents with Classic FM’s listeners!’ Julian Lloyd Webber

Isabelle was appointed as an Associate Artist at the Welsh National Opera 2021/22, performing in Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville and more. She makes her debut at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre in 2023.

Iyad Sughayer has performed as soloist with some of the world’s leading orchestras at venues including Dubai Opera House and Steinway Hall in New York. His debut album, Khachaturian Piano Works was released in November 2019.

Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae)
New Album by Abel Selaocoe
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RNCM Associate Member and alumnus Abel Selaocoe is set to release his highly anticipated debut album on Fri 23 Sep. Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae) will feature a selection of Abel’s own compositions and improvisations alongside his unique take on solo cello works by the likes of Bach and Platti.

We’re excited to welcome Abel back to the RNCM as part of his album tour on Fri 18 Nov alongside The Bantu Ensemble. Grab your tickets for the concert here.

To watch Abel perform Zawose (for Hukwe Zawose), taken from his upcoming release, click here.

New Appointments
Alexandra Dariescu and Benjamin Powell
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We’re thrilled to share that alumni Alexandra Dariescu and Benjamin Powell will be joining our School of Keyboard Studies in September as Senior Tutors in Piano.

Since graduating from the RNCM in 2008, RNCM Associate Member Alexandra has achieved phenomenal worldwide success as a soloist.

‘I am thrilled to be joining the RNCM School of Keyboard Studies and am very grateful to return to a place I call home, with its people who changed my life from the moment I stepped in the building and have supported me ever since.’ Alexandra Dariescu

Benjamin has performed in leading venues across the UK and Europe, and became Artistic Director of Manchester’s leading contemporary group, Psappha, this year.

‘The RNCM has been a part of my life for more than 20 years, and my time as a student was transformative. I benefitted immeasurably from the fantastic tuition and world-class facilities, and I am beyond delighted that I will now have the opportunity to work with future generations.’ Benjamin Powell

RNCM Membership
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Ahead of our special 50th anniversary season, we wanted to let you know about our RNCM Membership scheme, which allows you to unlock more special events and ticket discounts in our 50th year.

For just £35 a year, you can access free and discounted tickets, special offers on food and drink, and exclusive members events. All this and more while supporting the next 50 years of musical talent at the RNCM.

Now is a great time to join our community of members and experience all our performance programme has to offer.

Become a member here.

RNCM50 Alumni Open House
Celebrating 50 Years of the RNCM

We are hosting a special Alumni Open House celebration on Sunday 4 December 2022. If you’re one of our alumni, check your inboxes for your invitation!

If you have not received an invitation yet, contact us at [email protected] and we’ll send you the details.

5 September 2022