Royal College of Music

Crafting a chalumeau: Dr Ingrid Pearson on making a beautiful instrument Dr Ingrid Pearson describes the fascinating process of creating an early woodwind instrument, the chalumeau.

'A life-changing experience!' 💫 In the latest edition of #RCMUpbeat magazine, Dr Ingrid Pearson describes her unique instrument-making adventure, when she crafted a chalumeau (an early reed instrument) from boxwood to brass keys.

Find out more! 👉 bit.ly/Upbeat_chalumeau

The RCM’s Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 is live!🎄

We’re aiming to raise £200,000 for scholarships at the Royal College of Music and your gift will go twice as far. Every donation made this week will be matched £1 for £1.

🎁 Donate today: bit.ly/RCM-big-give

An orchestra on a brightly lit stage

Priority booking is now open for our Spring Season!

If you are an RCM Friend, take advantage of the seven-day priority booking period and secure your seats for spellbinding concerts and events this spring.

Want to become an RCM Friend? Learn how at www.rcm.ac.uk/support/frie...

The RCM’s Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 is live!🎄

We’re aiming to raise £200,000 for scholarships at the Royal College of Music and your gift will go twice as far. Every donation made this week will be matched £1 for £1.

🎁 Donate today: bit.ly/RCM-big-give

Dr George Waddell demonstrates the RCM Performance Laboratory, a projection of the Britten Theatre behind him

‘It’s a celebration of what it means to be human!’ ✨

In the new edition of Upbeat magazine, we celebrate 25 years of the RCM Centre for Performance Science by delving into the award-winning research empowering performers.

Find out more👉 bit.ly/UpbeatCPS25 #RCMUpbeat

Emily Sun, violin professor and RCM alumna shares how scholarships can open doors for the next generation of musicians.

🔔Save the date: From 12pm 2 Dec – 12pm 9 Dec, every donation will be matched £1 for £1, helping us raise £200,000 for scholarships➡️ bit.ly/RCM-big-give

Announcing our Spring Season of events! 🌷

Spring into a new year of spellbinding concerts and events at the Royal College of Music, promising something for all to enjoy.

Booking opens on 10 December, or 3 December for priority bookers. Browse all events: bit.ly/springseason...

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education logo. White text on a blue background reads 'Royal College of Music, 2025 Prize Winner'. The back of a woman wearing a green dress with long hair holding her arms out in front of a simulated audience.

We are honoured to have been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education (@QEdPrizes), the highest national honour in UK higher and further education, recognising the exceptional work of our Centre for Performance Science.

Read more about our award: bit.ly/43SnP3L

#QEdPrizes

Join us on 15 December for conference exploring practice-led research into 20th-century piano repertoire and performance 🎹

The thought-provoking programme showcases presentations, a roundtable panel & opportunities to discuss shared concerns.

Learn more: www.rcm.ac.uk/research/20c...

It’s opening night of the RCM Opera Studio’s autumn production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, and the set and costumes are looking incredible. Toi toi toi to the whole cast!

📷: Chris Christodoulou

Image credits:
1. Ice Edge Journey © Bertie Gregory
2. A Tale of Two Coytes © Parham Pourahmad
3. Essence of Kamchatka © Kesshav Vikram
4. Clouds of Gold © Jassen Todorov

We can’t wait for tomorrow’s concert celebrating Wildlife Photographer of the Year!

In our second year collaborating with @nhm-london.bsky.social, RCM composers have written a series of chamber pieces inspired by these striking images. Watch this space for performance videos coming soon...

YouTube video by Royal College of Music Sir James MacMillan conducts the RCM Symphony Orchestra

Not long until we’re live with the RCM Symphony Orchestra and Sir James MacMillan for a dazzling concert featuring the conductor’s own music, Wynton Marsalis' Tuba Concerto, and Mussorgsky's vibrant Pictures at an Exhibition.

Tune in from 7.30pm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6nw...

Screen displaying the title 'Avril Coleridge-Taylor revealed through the RCM collections'

Thanks to @tomedney.bsky.social for sharing his research on Avril Coleridge-Taylor, painting a portrait of her life & music

Fantastic to hear unpublished songs brought to life by @rcmlondon.bsky.social students (featuring exceptional piano parts) + learn about some exciting upcoming recordings

Just one month left to apply for the Young Double Reed Programme, an exciting opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts and learn from RCM professors!

Open to: 11–18 year olds
Standard: Grade 6+
Dates: Selected Sundays Jan-March 2026

Learn more and apply by 28 November: www.rcm.ac.uk/events/detai...

One month left to apply!

BBC Radio 3, the National Centre for Early Music and the RCM’s next NGBE Development Day is on 11 January 2026, offering emerging professional ensembles the opportunity to be coached by RCM Professor Ashley Solomon.

Learn more & apply by 24 November: bit.ly/RCM-NGBE

One week to go until the RCM Symphony Orchestra and Chorus take to the stage for a vibrant evening of music!

RCM alumna Sofi Jeannin conducts Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Meg Blane, Poulenc’s joyful Gloria and Ravel’s much-loved Bolero 💃

30 & 31 October: bit.ly/chorusconcerts

Four musicians wear black and hold their instruments, smiling

Ever wanted to take a peek at the process behind the performance?

Next week, go behind the scenes with the Marmen Quartet in a fascinating masterclass! Book your tickets now for what is sure to be an invigorating afternoon.

📅Tuesday 14 October, 2pm
📌Performance Hall, RCM
🎟️: bit.ly/marmenmaster...

Of course I was at the @rcmlondon.bsky.social for their #Boulez100 celebration with the Paris Conservatoire - wonderfully vivid performance of Dérive, loved the new piece by Hanze Liu

Did you see the supermoon this week? It reminded us of our production of Haydn’s 'Il mondo della luna' a few years ago…

Why not come along to this term’s opera and immerse yourself in another magical world – The Cunning Little Vixen is on sale now!

🎟️: bit.ly/rcm_opera

Join us next Wednesday for an exciting collaborative concert celebrating the centenary of legendary French composer, Pierre Boulez. Musicians from the RCM and Conservatoire de Paris are busy rehearsing for this special project in Paris! 🇫🇷

Learn more and book: www.rcm.ac.uk/events/detai...

Ce matin, au Royal College of Music, musée d’instruments anciens et expositions Kurt Cobain, c'est le choc des époques !
#london

Join us next Wednesday for an exciting collaborative concert celebrating the centenary of legendary French composer, Pierre Boulez. Musicians from the RCM and Conservatoire de Paris are busy rehearsing for this special project in Paris! 🇫🇷

Learn more and book: www.rcm.ac.uk/events/detai...

Priority booking is now open for the RCM Opera Studio’s autumn production, The Cunning Little Vixen 🦊

Be moved by Janáček’s whimsical opera, drawing playful parallels between animal and human life.

24, 26, 28 & 29 November – RCM Friends book now: www.rcm.ac.uk/rcmopera

Jonathan Lemalu and Mark Austin

We’re delighted to announce two new appointments to the prestigious Vocal & Opera Faculty!

Award-winning bass Jonathan Lemalu becomes Deputy Head of Vocal & Opera, and distinguished pianist, coach and conductor Mark Austin joins as Assistant Head of Vocal & Opera.

bit.ly/RCM-VandO-appointments

Exhibition poster for Royal College of Music Museum’s temporary exhibition ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’ showing Kurt and his guitar.

The 1959 Martin D-18E guitar used by Kurt Cobain in the MTV Unplugged in New York album displayed in the exhibition.

Nirvana fans of the MTV Unplugged in New York album should check out the @rcmlondon.bsky.social exhibition about the recording. The guitar, the jumper and rare memorabilia are on display until November 18 in London.

Young violinist with long dark hair tied up, smiling

Tell us your news! 📣 We love to hear from RCM staff, students and alumni – from performances to projects to publications. Send your updates to news@rcm.ac.uk by Friday 26 September, and you could feature in the autumn edition of Upbeat magazine.

📸 Chris Christodoulou

Meet the extraordinary musicians who will be Royal College of Music Fellows for the 2025/26 academic year - congratulations to all! 🎉

Find out more about them: bit.ly/RCM-Fellowsh...

We wish all scholars well for the term ahead 🍂

This #FlashbackFriday listen to RCM flautist Samantha Rowe perform Brett Dean's effervescent work for solo flute, 'Demons' 🫧

Learn more about the piece and watch the full performance on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/aOaqyNmgql8