Daniel Phillips rehearses with students in the Dora Stoutzker Hall
String students take part in a Genesis Sixteen workshop with Harry Christophers
Henning Kraggerud directs the RWCMD String Soloists
On location at Welsh National Opera as part of the side-by-side concert programme
The Emerson Quartet in rehearsal in the Dora Stoutzker Hall
Sarah Chang rehearses with the RWCMD Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble-in-Residence, The Gould Piano Trio
Masterclass with Lawrence Power
RWCMD Symphony Orchestra & Chorus performs Verdi's Requiem at St David's Hall with Maestro Carlo Rizzi
Special concert with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, broadcast on BBC Radio 3
RWCMD Concert Orchestra rehearses in the Dora Stoutzker Hall
The String Department at the Royal Welsh College of Music &
Drama is one of the most dynamic of all UK conservatoires. Our
students are immersed in a stimulating, collaborative environment,
experiencing high levels of engagement with the music profession
throughout their studies. In areas such as orchestral training and
chamber music mentoring, we offer students an unparalleled training
experience with numerous and diverse performance opportunities. Our
highly personalised approach emphasises the development of
individual career pathways through bespoke opportunities and
tailored tuition.
Find out more about what makes our training so distinctive:
Orchestral Training
Our Orchestral Training
Programme is arguably the best in the UK. Designed in collaboration
with the leaders and principals of the Orchestra of Welsh National
Opera and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, our comprehensive
programme is delivered by performers who are active in the
orchestral profession both in the UK and internationally. Regular
classes cover excerpt preparation, orchestral audition techniques
and practical experience of many different sized ensembles.
Orchestral projects – including Symphony, Chamber, Opera, Concert,
Baroque, Contemporary, Music Theatre and Period instrument – are
open to all students from the first year onwards and all students
take part in String Ensemble projects, directed by professional
performers. From the third year, auditions are held to select
students to take part in placement schemes and side-by-side
concerts with our two national partner orchestras. Our recently
introduced postgraduate programme in Orchestral Performance is also now attracting
considerable international interest.
Chamber Music
Chamber music is a
particular strength and many of our tutors are chamber musicians of
international standing. Our resident ensembles, The Gould Piano
Trio and The Albion String Quartet, hold regular coaching sessions,
concerts and workshops and all students receive an allocation of
hours for coaching with the tutor of their choice to support the
chamber music performance that is integrated into the BMus course.
Chamber masterclasses are built into the regular schedule and link
to our calendar of visiting artists which, each year, includes some
of the world’s most exciting chamber ensembles. The String Soloists
is our elite chamber ensemble which is open, via screened audition,
to all students and, at least twice a year, a programme directed by
an inspirational international soloist.
Tutors
All the string department
tutors combine their teaching with performance at the highest
level, and our staff grace some of the world’s finest orchestras
and chamber ensembles. This huge experience gives RWCMD students a
vibrant interface with the profession and we ensure that all
students receive input from a wide range of tutors through our
varied performance class schedule. This programme is further
enhanced both by the regular input of visiting artists performing
in the award-winning concert hall and by our associated artists
such as, for example, the Ian Stoutzker Chair of Violin, Professor
Itzhak Rashkovsky, who takes regular classes throughout the
year.
Stylistic Performance
RWCMD has a strong tradition
in historically-informed performance and an appreciation of the
differing stylistic approaches appropriate to each era is something
that forms a core part of our training. Each student has a chance
to take advantage of classes delivered by leading exponents in the
field – including associated artist, Rachel Podger – and to take
part in regular performance projects and concerts curated by HP
luminaries including our International Chair in Historical
Performance, Jeremy West. ‘Taster’ viol lessons are taken by all
second years and many students continue to enjoy the free tuition
available to all students. Baroque lessons are also available as an
free optional extra, on a range of instruments, which can be lent
from our stock of historical instruments. On a broader level, all
students are given contextual training on how to play in all the
major period styles, and how to ornament, for example, in the
baroque style or how to write a classical cadenza.
Performance Classes and
Accompaniment
The String Department has
two dedicated accompanists and all students receive an allocation
of hours to work with them individually. The Royal Welsh College is
an all-Steinway conservatoire, but String students will also have
the opportunity to rehearse and perform with harpsichord and
fortepiano. Performance classes range from small,
instrument-specific masterclasses to large formal performance
classes, public foyer concerts and opportunities to perform in
public masterclasses with visiting artists. The College’s
world-class concert hall hosts an inspirational programme of
concerts each season most of which are free to students.
Instrumental Borrowing
We have a growing number of
instruments and bows which we lend out to students as well as a
visiting Luthier who can take care of repairs, rehairs etc.
Viol Consort
Every string student in
their second year takes part in an introductory viol module,
directed by internationally-renowned scholar and performer Lucy
Robinson. All students who wish to develop their skills further are
allocated regular lessons, at no extra cost, as well as the chance
of frequent ensemble performances. Viols are provided and we
currently have around six consorts who are performing in concerts
in and around Cardiff, as well as further afield, such as in the
RCM International Festival of Viols. Each year, this performance
opportunity attracts large numbers of students who are learning
many transferable skills, as well as becoming acquainted with
important repertoire and performance traditions. Every summer we
have a viol festival in College which provides a fitting climax to
the year’s activities. We are extremely grateful to Linda and Tony
Hill for their generosity and unstinting support with this area of
our study.
Courses
Spotlight: Postgraduate Orchestral
Performance
Our Postgraduate Programmes in Orchestral
Performance offer students the chance to work with both the BBC
National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Welsh National
Opera, maximising the range of their performing experience.
Students receive regular mentoring and coaching with leaders and
principal players, classes with visiting orchestral tutors, as well
as significant opportunities within the College’s expansive
orchestral programme. This an exciting route into the orchestral
profession and applications are open for entry in September
2019.