New Tutors for the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion

The RNCM has announced a new list of Tutors for the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion, commencing in September.

Gill Callow (cor anglais), Jenny Galloway (oboe), Roberto Giaccaglia (bassoon), Susan Milan (flute) and Helen Vollam (trombone), will join the department in the new academic year, while Stefano Canuti and Stéphane Rancourt have accepted the positions of Senior Tutor in Bassoon and Senior Tutor in Oboe respectively, building on their current roles at the College.

l-r: Gill Callow, Jenny Galloway, Roberto Giaccaglia

A member of the BBC Philharmonic for 30 years, Gill Callow is one of the UK’s leading cor anglais players. As a chamber musician she has performed with the Endymion Ensemble and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and appeared with the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Opera North and at Covent Garden.

In 1993, during her studies at the RNCM, oboist Jenny Galloway was appointed Sub Principal Oboe with the BBC Philharmonic, a position she held for seven years before becoming Principal Oboe in 2000. She also regularly performs as Guest Principal with some of the UK’s finest orchestras and in 2012 was invited to join the World Orchestra for Peace for the Solti Centenary concerts in America.

Roberto Giaccaglia was appointed Principal Bassoon with the BBC Philharmonic last year after 20 years as the Principal Bassoon chair at the Gran Teatro la Fenice di Venezia. He was  also Solo Bassoon with I Solisti Veneti and a member of Il Quintetto Bibiena. An eminent soloist, Roberto has performed Vivaldi’s Bassoon Concertos at many prestigious venues, including the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Lincoln Center (New York), Palau de la Musica (Barcelona), Salle Pleyel (Paris) and Teatro alla Scala (Milan).

Susan Milan and Helen Vollam

Flautist Susan Milan has enjoyed a long and varied career as an orchestral and chamber musician, soloist, and recording artist. She was Principal Flute of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta between 1968 and 72 and of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra between 1974 and 82. Her ensemble work includes the London Chamber Music Group, The Debussy Ensemble and the Instrumental Quintet of London.

Helen Vollam is Principal Trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and is the first woman to hold that position within a London orchestra. She is also a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and is a regular guest with the Britten Sinfonia and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, alongside ensembles including Spira Mirabilis and the Freiburg Barockorchester.

The School of Wind, Brass and Percussion has seen significant change over the past few months. In September Nicholas Thompson was appointed Head of School and earlier this year, Kevin Gowland joined as Deputy Head and Director of Woodwind, sitting alongside fellow Deputy and Director of Percussion, Simone Rebello.

l-r: Nicholas Thompson, Kevin Gowland and Simone Rebello

Kevin said: ‘I am delighted to announce the appointments of Gill, Jenny, Roberto, Susan and Helen to the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion who I am confident will ignite the ambition and desire to succeed, as they themselves have done, in their esteemed and distinguished careers. It is also wonderful that Stefano and Stéphane are developing their relationship with the School as Senior Tutors in their respective instruments.’

Appointed the RNCM’s William Waterhouse International Chair in Chamber Music and Bassoon in 2016, Stefano Canuti has visited the College for one week of teaching and performing each month, coaching bassoonists, woodwind and cross-school chamber music ensembles. Stefano will now enhance this role further as a Senior Tutor.

Stefano Canuti and Stéphane Rancourt

Similarly, Stéphane Rancourt, Principal Oboe with the Hallé, is no stranger to the School, joining last year as Tutor in Oboe. Like Stefano, he is now Senior Tutor and will be working more closely with aspiring oboists at the College.

12 June 2018