Junior Fellowship in Conducting

Half a century ago, the RNCM brought a new and pioneering programme to the conservatoire sector: a groundbreaking Junior Fellowship in Conducting – the first of its kind worldwide.

Launched in 1975, the Fellowship was part of a very different higher education landscape. Back then, very few people travelled abroad to study, and so a handful of domestic applicants were considered for this new opportunity to earn career-defining experience working hands-on with the College’s orchestras, ensembles, and opera productions. It filled a genuine void for aspiring conductors and was a radical idea, bridging the gap between student and professional life with mentored practical experience. Over the decades, the programme’s reach grew significantly and in recent years was attracting more than 120 applicants from all over the world. Former Junior Fellows can be found at the helm of orchestras and opera companies internationally.

However, time moves on and things change. Our own Master’s course, since its launch 20 years ago, has developed into one of the best anywhere. Leading professional orchestras, opera, and ballet companies now offer excellent Fellowship programmes – many of which our Masters alumni have succeeded in winning places on.

In autumn 2025 we took the decision to close the Junior Fellowship to focus our resources on the Master’s programme. This will significantly enhance the opportunities available to those students as we prepare them for 21st Century careers.

The Mills Williams Foundation has generously supported the Fellowship since 2019 and we are extremely grateful that they have agreed to transfer this support to the Master’s programme.