Wind

Wind players have numerous learning, performance and audition opportunities available to them.

You’ll receive individual lessons as well as Performance/Techniques group classes, opportunities to study appropriate doubling or associated instruments, and masterclasses given by world-leading woodwind performers and professors.

RNCM student in the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion with flute and piccolo

Saxophones

Because of versatile repertoire, style, and instrument doublings, this discipline is partly autonomous, although administration comes under the umbrella of woodwind studies. Under the artistic direction of Rob Buckland, individual instrumental tuition is divided between various tutors to reflect the needs of the profession. In addition, chamber music and participation in the RNCM Big Band are strong components of performance.

Recent masterclasses have been given by Arno Bornkamp, John Harle, Johan van der Linden Timothy McAllister, Bob Mintzer, Marius Neset and Chris Potter. RNCM alumni continue to make a strong impact in the profession and include Ruth Bourn, Anthony Brown, Rob Buckland, Amy Roberts, Sally MacTaggart, Carl Raven, Andy Scott, Jenni Watson and Huw Wiggin.

Recorder

Recorder is available as Principal Study at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Led by Chris Orton, the department keeps up to date with news from the recorder world, including concerts, international competitions and new developments in ‘modern’ recorders and technology for music, as well as in the wider artistic worlds of art, dance and drama.

Undergraduates will explore the whole range of repertoire – original and arranged – that exists for the instrument from the Medieval epoch until music of today. The opportunity to study doubling instruments such as Baroque oboe, bassoon and flute exists, or students may pursue continuo harpsichord or gamba.

Postgraduates may choose to specialise on a particular area of repertoire, from English Consort Music of the Renaissance, music of the 20th century through to improvisation with live electronics.

Recent Masterclasses

Masterclasses from esteemed performers and experienced professor enhance and support your learning and have recently been given by Karen de Fleyt (flute); Bart Schneeman (oboe); Ole Kristian Dahl and Dan Jemison (bassoon); Michael Collins and Mark Simpson (clarinet); Arthur Campbell (electro acoustic clarinet); and Paolo de Gaspari (bass clarinet).

Alumni

Graduates have gone on to establish successful performance and teaching careers, including:

Richard Davis: Principal Flute, BBC Philharmonic
Jenny Galloway: Principal Oboe, BBC Philharmonic
Lindsey Marsh: Principal Clarinet, Hallé
Andrew Nicholson: Principal Flute, West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Julie Price: Co-Principal Bassoon, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lenny Sayers: Principal Bass Clarinet, BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thomas Verity: Clarinet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Wind Staff

Head of School and Director of Woodwind
Kevin Gowland

Buffet Crampon International Chair in Oboe
Philippe Tondre

International Visiting Professor in Flute
Andrea Oliva

International Visiting Professor in Clarinet
Gábor Varga

International Visiting Professor in Bassoon
Andrea Zucco

International Visiting Professor in Saxophone 
Timothy McAllister

Professors in Flute
Kevin Gowland
Cormac Henry
Laura Jellicoe

Professors in Piccolo
Jennifer Hutchinson
Janet Richardson

Professors in Oboe
Stéphane Rancourt
Jenny Galloway
Hugh McKenna LRAM, ARCM, ARAM
Jonathan Small ARCM

Professors in Cor Anglais
Ruth Contractor
Hugh McKenna LRAM, ARCM, ARAM

Professors in Clarinet
Nicholas Cox MA, SolDip (Musikhochschule Hannover)
Antonio Salguero Montesinos Premio Extraordinario de Honor Fin de Carrera
Sergio Castelló López
Kathy Lacy

Professors in E Flat Clarinet
Rosa Campos
Christopher Swann GRSM, LRAM

Professors in Bass Clarinet
Ausiàs Garrigós Morant

Professors in Bassoon
Andrea Zucco
David Chatwin ARCM
Adam MacKenzie
Graham Salvage ARAM, LRAM, ARCM
Richard Ion

Professor in Contrabassoon
Simon Davies

Professors in Saxophone
Rob Buckland GRNCM, PPRNCM, FRNCM
Carl Raven BMus, PPRNCM
Andy Scott GRNCM

Professor in Jazz Saxophone
Mike Hall BSc, PGDipRNCM

Professor in Saxophone and Jazz Improvisation
Iain Dixon

Professor in Recorder
Chris Orton HonBC, AdvPGDip (Prof Perf), BMus (Hons)

Contact Us

School of Wind, Brass and Percussion 
E [email protected]
T 0161 907 5265

Admissions and Course Enquiries
E [email protected]
T 0161 907 5465

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