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School of Wind, Brass and Percussion

We will develop your solo, ensemble and chamber music skills through first-class tuition and by giving you the widest possible range of performance opportunities.

At the RNCM, the range of repertoire you will experience is broad. Whilst we place a strong emphasis on the performance of new music, and collaborate closely with students and staff in the School of Composition, we nurture the established traditions of European wind, brass and percussion playing, including historical performance and Jazz.

You will work with our international tutors and visiting tutors who will lead masterclasses and workshops in their specialist areas. You will also perform in masterclasses with guest artists. Our students have recently worked with high-profile musicians including Brazilian oboist Alex Klein; horn player Richard Watkins; trumpeter Kristian Steenstrup; flautist and composer Barbara Thompson; percussion soloist Dame Evelyn Glennie; bassoonist Sergio Azzolini; and flautist Sir James Galway.

You will be offered a wide range of performance opportunities from the beginning of your studies. These will include solo recitals, masterclasses, RNCM orchestras, wind, brass and percussion ensembles, Brass Band, New Ensemble, Big Band, chamber music and competitions (solo performance, concerto and chamber). Students also perform in specialist public focus days which include the Festival of Brass, Brass Band Focus Day, Wind Weekend, Saxophone Day and Day of Percussion.

We also offer the opportunity to audition for placements with the world-class BBC Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestras and the Black Dyke Band through our Professional Experience Schemes. Successful students work with the orchestra/band and receive mentoring support from professional players.

During your time at the College, you may also apply for external engagements. These opportunities range from background music with a chamber group through to full-evening solo recitals.

Undergraduate Programme

The Undergraduate Programme at the RNCM is designed to make you a rounded musician, with the ability to thrive in the competitive musical world. The programme takes four years to complete and requires full-time attendance during term time.  Entry is by competitive audition and interview, but minimum educational requirements must normally be met.

Postgraduate Programme

There are several ways you can pursue your Wind, Brass and Percussion studies at postgraduate level. For details, go to the Graduate School information.

Performance Opportunities

You will have many opportunities to perform within the College including solo recitals, masterclasses, festivals, RNCM orchestras, wind, brass and percussion ensembles, Brass Band, New Ensemble and Big Band, chamber music and competitions. There are opportunities to audition for placements with the BBC Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras and the Black Dyke Band, and successful students rehearse or perform with the orchestra /band and receive mentoring support from a professional player. Once you are eligible for external professional engagements you will be encouraged to create your own performing opportunities.

Recent Highlights

  • The College’s Wind Orchestra, one of the most widely-respected wind orchestras in the world, has released more than 30 commercial CDs, and may often be heard on BBC Radio 3. The Orchestra was the first conservatoire ensemble to be invited to perform at the BBC Proms, and has also performed at festivals such as Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, Huddersfield, Lichfield, Spitalfields, Malvern and Three Choirs; as well as at festivals in Holland, Japan, Switzerland and Poland. More recently, the Orchestra performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands & Ensembles Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, and gave the UK première of Stockhausen’s choreographed Lucifer’s Dance at the RNCM, followed by a performance at the Royal Festival Hall which received a standing ovation
  • High-profile appointments for alumni included Tom Osborne, Third Trumpet with the Hallé; Stephanie Jones, Fourth Horn with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Andrew Nicholson, Principal Flute with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra; Alison Murphy, Principal Flute with the RTE Concert Orchestra; Richard Brown, Principal Trombone with the BBC Philharmonic; and Tom Verity, Principal E flat Clarinet with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Student successes have recently included 4th year saxophonist Jennifer Palfreyman winning the CASS Young Soloist Competition; postgraduate euphonium player Aaron Rivkin being chosen to perform at the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference in Tucson, Arizona; and 4th year percussionist Le Yu winning the under-23 category in the Percussion Arts Society of Italy’s International Competition

    Scholarships

    British-born students are eligible to apply for the John Fewkes Leicestershire Instrumentalist Scholarships which are awarded up to the value of full fees.  This major fund was established following a bequest from the late Mr John Fewkes who wished to help committed Wind, Brass and Percussion students studying at the RNCM.  This fund is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

    We are able to offer a number of scholarships up to the value of full fees for clarinet students.  This is from a large bequest to the RNCM in memory of Giles Thomas Lyth, who was a professional clarinettist in Manchester.  Priority will be given to postgraduate students.