China tour for RNCM Percussion Ensemble

The RNCM Percussion Ensemble embarks on its first tour of China next month, with concerts in Beijing, Tianjin and Wuhan, and a special showcase performance at the China National Youth Competition Festival in Shanghai.

Directed by Le Yu (Leo), our International Tutor in Marimba, and comprising Lizzie Brightwell-Gibbons, Leonardo Caleffi, Darren Gallacher, Aidan Marsden, Andre Nadis and Alex Smith, the group will perform at Beijing’s Forbidden City, Tianjin’s Grand Theatre and Wuhan’s Quintai Concert Halls between 18 and 20 July, before heading to Shanghai a few days later for a showcase at the China National Youth Competition Festival.

Leo, who grew up in China and graduated from the RNCM in 2014, said: ‘This is such a good opportunity for our students to travel to the other side of the world to show just what we do here at the RNCM. All of the students involved are visiting China for the first time so it will be a wonderful experience for them on so many levels.

‘We’re really looking forward to playing in these amazing venues, and the special showcase at the China National Youth Competition Festival is very exciting because we will be the first UK conservatoire percussion ensemble to perform there.’

The ensemble’s visit to Wuhan is also exciting because the city is twinned with Manchester. As a result, the students will present a two-day summer school for young musicians which will result in a new composition highlighting the story between to two locations.

The RNCM Percussion Ensemble will present a free lunchtime concert at the RNCM on Thursday 7 June in the Concert Hall at 1.15pm. Attendees of the RNCM Percussion Summer School will also get the chance to hear them during the concert on 11 July.

4 June 2018