Professor Linda Merrick CBE
Principal
GRSM(Hons), MMus, PhD, HonDEd., FRAM, FRCM, FRNCM, FLCM, FRSA, FHEA, HonVCM
Email: [email protected]
Principal/Chief Executive Officer
Professor Linda Merrick CBE is Principal of the RNCM and an internationally-renowned clarinet soloist, recording artist and pedagogue.
Her catalogue of over 40 solo recordings features new concertos she has commissioned by Gary Carpenter, Nigel Clarke, Martin Ellerby, John McLeod, Stephen McNeff, Edwin Roxburgh, Philip Sparke, Philip Spratley, Kit Turnbull and Guy Woolfenden for labels including Naxos, Chandos, NMC, Guild and Metier. She has also released premiere recordings of clarinet quintets with the Navarra and Kreutzer Quartets by composers including Simon Bainbridge, Nigel Clarke, Robert Crawford, Michael Finnissy, Wilfred Josephs, John McCabe and Edwin Roxburgh, with recordings of works by Adam Gorb, David Horne, Mihailo Trandifilovski, Paul Patterson and Paul Pellay due to be released in 2024. In addition, Linda has commissioned and recorded over 20 works for clarinet and electronics, and released two CDs featuring works for clarinet and harpsicord by Robert Keeley.
Linda has performed as a concerto soloist across America, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, the UAE and the UK, and broadcast for BBC Radio 3, Radio France, DRS1 Switzerland, CKWR Canada and Arte TV South Korea. A founder member of the contemporary ensemble ‘Sounds Positive’, she has premiered over 80 chamber works for winds and piano by British composers, and released a further three CDs.
In addition to her position as Principal at the RNCM, Linda is Chair of Conservatoires UK and UK representative for TW Howarth Clarinets. She was awarded a CBE for services to music in higher education in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours.
Current and Future Research
Professor Linda Merrick’s current research activity is focused on extending her exploration of the collaborative artistic process through the medium of the clarinet quintet. At this stage, she is examining in-depth the impact of extended artistic partnerships between composers and performers on the creative impetus and artistic process and output.
This research is centred primarily on established British composers, some in the latter stages of their careers; a generation whose work is otherwise at risk of being overlooked and whose experience is leading to high quality, significant and sustainable additions to the canon as they enter their autumnal years.
In parallel, Linda is commissioning and recording works by a number of emerging but distinctive and diverse voices with a view to broadening the impact and reach of this repertory. Her more recent and pending commissions extend beyond the clarinet quintet medium to embrace other chamber music combinations for clarinet, strings and piano.
In terms of current and future publications, Linda has commenced work on a book in collaboration with Professor Anna Reid, Dean of Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney. This will explore female leadership in conservatoires across different contexts and cultures, drawing on the 10-12 years the authors have each held their respective positions.
Research Areas
Collaboration between performers and composers – building from the medium of the clarinet quintet to different chamber music ensembles for clarinet, strings and piano, with focus on artistic inspiration derived from extended professional collaborations.
Female leadership in conservatoires- collaboration on a book project with Professor Anna Reid, Dean of Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney.
External Research Roles
Chair of Conservatoires UK, with over-arching responsibility for the activity of its Research and Knowledge Exchange Forum.
External examiner and reviewer for PhD/DMA – Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney; Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore; Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo; Royal Academy of Music, London, UK; Coventry University.
Research Funding
RNCM
Ida Carroll Trust
RVW Trust
Undergraduate Teaching
- Principal Study Clarinet
- Contemporary Clarinet Classes
- Chamber Music Coaching
Postgraduate Teaching
- Principal Study Clarinet
- Contemproary Clarinet Classes
- Chamber Music Coaching
Selected Outputs
Research outputs (previous publications) include the following:
Publications:
Collaboration between Composers and Performers: British Clarinet Concertos 1990-2004 (VDM Verlag, Saarbrucken, 2009)
Recordings:
Martin Ellerby Ascent (Concerto for clarinet, harp and strings)
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted Clark Rundell
MEM Recordings 2023
Martin Ellerby Maze Mirrors (Epitaph VII: Memento (Terezin)
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Kreutzer Quartet
MEM Recordings 2023
Mihailo Trandifilovski Polychromy (Weaxan)
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Peter Sheppard Skaerved-violin, Roderick Chadwick- piano
Metier 2022
Martin Ellerby Clarinet Chamber Music
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Benjamin Powell-piano
MEM Recordings 2022
Simon Bainbridge Chamber Music (clarinet quintet)
Linda Merrick- clarinet, Kreutzer Quartet
Toccata Classics 2021
Michael Finnissy Six Sexy Minuets (Clarinetten- Liederkreis)
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Kreutzer Quartet
Metier 2018
John McCabe Fauvel’s Rondo
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Kreutzer Quartet, Aaron Shorr(piano)
Guild 2012
Gary Carpenter Doubles
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Paul Goodey-oboe, RNCM Wind Orchestra, conducted Clark Rundell
Polyphonic 2011
Chamber Music by John Veale and Robert Crawford
Linda Merrick-clarinet , John Turner-recorder, Adderbury Ensemble
Metier 2010
British Clarinet Quintets
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Navarra Quartet
Naxos 2010
Dynamics of Matter
Linda Merrick- clarinet, Sally Mays-piano
Undercurrent 2010
Philip Spratley Clarinet Concertino
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Manchester Sinfonia
Toccata Classics 2009
Undercurrents
Sounds Positive
Undercurrent 2009
Stephen McNeff Clarinet Concerto
Linda Merrick-clarinet, RNCM Wind Orchestra
Campion 2008
John McLeod Clarinet Concerto
Linda Merrick-clarinet, RNCM Symphony Orchestra
Chandos 2007
Edwin Roxburgh Clarinet Concerto
Linda Merrick-clarinet, RNCM Symphony Orchestra
NMC 2006
Malcolm Arnold Chamber Music
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Julian Hellaby/Peter Nokes-piano
MSV 2006
Martin Ellerby Concerto for Clarinet (2nd recording)
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Coldstream Guards
SRC 2005
Philip Sparke Clarinet Concerto
Linda Merrick – clarinet, Rundfunk BlasorkesterLeipzig
Anglo Records 2003
Wilfred Josephs Clarinet Quintet and Sonatas
Linda Merrick – clarinet, Kreutzer Quartet, Benjamin Frith (piano)
Metier 2002
Concerti for Clarinet and Concert Band
Linda Merrick – clarinet, RNCM Wind Orchestra
Polyphonic 2000
The Hemlock Stone
Linda Merrick-clarinets, Chris Thorpe–computers
ClassicPrint 1999
New York Counterpoint
Linda Merrick-clarinets, Chris Thorpe-electronics
Serendipity/Classicprint 1996/98
The Music of John Lambert
Sounds Positive
NMC 1993
Collage
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Benjamin Frith-piano
Serendipity/Classicprint 1992/99
Martin Ellerby Chamber Music
Linda Merrick-clarinet, Benjamin Frith-piano
Serendipity 1990
Professional Activity
Performing
Releasing over 40 commercial solo/chamber music CD recordings
Commissioning over 40 solo works for clarinet from British composers, including 9 new concertos and 10 new clarinet quintets
Giving concerto performances in America, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE and across the UK
Broadcasting as a soloist for BBC Radio 3, Radio France, Radio DRS1 (Switzerland), CKWR (Canada) and Arte TV (Seoul, South Korea).
Giving recital and contemporary performances in the UK and internationally with pianists Benjamin Frith, Sally Mays, Philip Mead & Julian Hellaby.
As a founder-member of the contemporary ensemble Sounds Positive, commissioning over 80 new works, giving regular concert series in London, performing in festivals across the UK, working in collaboration with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and making commercial recordings.
Performing with two electroacoustic ensembles with Philip Mead (piano) and Stephen Montague (electronics), and with Chris Thorpe (computers), commissioning, performing and recording new works in Belfast, Belgium, UK, Paris and Sweden.
Masterclasses(UK)
Masterclasses and workshops across the UK, including: Royal Academy of Music; Birmingham Conservatoire; Welsh College of Music and Drama; Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama; Colchester Centre of Performing Arts.
Masterclasses (International)
Masterclasses at a wide range of international institutions, including: Beijing Conservatory, University of California at Los Angeles, Eastman School of Music, Florida State University; Geidai Institute; Indiana University; University of Illinois; Conservatoire de Quebec; Northwestern State University, Louisiana;
University of St. Thomas at St Paul, Queensland Conservatory, Vancouver Academy; Victoria Conservatory. I also undertook a staff exchange to Queensland Conservatorium in 2008.
Examining (UK and International)
I have been employed as an external examiner at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (PGDip.), Trinity College of Music (clarinet), Salford University (MA) and acted as a member of validation panels across a wide range of other institutions in the UK and overseas. I have served on final examination juries at the Conservatoire de Montreal, and Chaired review panels for the Association of European Conservatoires. I was formerly an auditor for the Quality Assurance Agency.
Jury Memberships
I have acted as a jury member for many national and international competitions, including the Yamaha Foundation of Europe Scholarships (2001), Performing Australian Music (2000), Howarth Clarinet Prize (1999 & 2001), Cassel Prize, Royal Air Force Music Services (2001) and Cassell Prize, Royal Marines School of Music (1998).
