Popular Music

Artephis, Manchester Jazz Collective and Täpp have all been selected as ambassador artists for Jazz North’s northern line touring scheme 2018 – 2019. Launched in 2013, northern line is an innovative model for touring which gives promoters the opportunity to programme high quality artists with low financial risk. To date, 59 ambassador artists have taken […]

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The RNCM had the pleasure of hosting Morris ‘Mo’ Pleasure on Friday 1 December, the first Yamaha Artist to take part in the Popular Music programme’s Friday Masterclass Series. As a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and touring musician, Mo has recorded and performed with numerous musical legends including Ray Charles, Najee, George Duke, Earth Wind & […]

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We were delighted to welcome Andy Burnham to a special event on Tuesday 12 December highlighting the importance of popular music education in Manchester. Describing the city as ‘the music capital of the UK’, the Mayor of Greater Manchester spoke openly about the need to inspire and support future talent, and credited the RNCM for establishing […]

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First year Indian student Riti Walia has been awarded the RNCM’s first Popular Music scholarship, sponsored by The Holroyd Foundation. Covering tuition fees for the full four-year undergraduate course, the scholarship enabled Riti to accept her place on the Popular Music programme, and will allow her to travel to and from India during the holiday […]

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Our students have been given the fantastic opportunity of performing with Blossoms at this year’s Neighbourhood Festival Indie band Blossoms will perform a very special acoustic set accompanied by composer Joe Duddell and an RNCM Ensemble, comprised of string quartet, harp, french horn, bass clarinet and vibraphone.  The 45 minute set will be part of an exclusive opening […]

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The RNCM has achieved an exceptional 89% in this year’s National Student Survey for overall student satisfaction, which showed outstanding results for Popular Music and the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion. Conducted annually since 2005, the NSS is a national initiative running across all publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland […]

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It’s rave reviews all round for the RNCM students who performed with New Order at this year’s Manchester International Festival. Providing a fantastic synthesiser orchestra conducted by composer/arranger Joe Duddell, Aaron Breeze, George Burrage, James Davis, Ruairi Leonard, Ellen Lewis, Emily Owen, Andrew Jones, Gareth Jones, Anna Disley-Simpson, Charlie Sinclair, Carmel Smickersgill, Ollie Walton and […]

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Last weekend saw RNCM popular music students and alumni performing at two of the world’s most iconic venues. Ollie Harding (drums, pictured), Harry Gumery (bass) and Charles MacDonald (guitar), who all graduated in 2015, played Wembley Stadium with country duo The Shires on Saturday 24 June, before Charles headed over to Glastonbury on Sunday with fourth […]

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