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Royal Northern College of Music: Join the buzz of Manchester’s music scene
24 Jul 2017
Manchester makes music, and music made Manchester.
One of the true engine rooms of popular music, this buzzing city in the north west of England is famed for its resounding contribution to the music scene going right back to the 1960s – and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The town in which Bob Dylan was accused of being “Judas” for his first performance with an electric guitar, where The Sex Pistols played their 1976 gig that inspired a generation to make their own music and arguably changed the world forever, where Oasis cut their teeth, The Smiths learnt their craft, and where the rave scene of the ‘80s and ‘90s originated and took hold, changing the face of modern dance music forever. The city’s musical heritage is indeed an illustrious one, as the list goes on and on…
The electric atmosphere in Manchester has not abated over the years and the music, arts and culture scene is thriving now more than ever. Where better to explore your creative potential and perfect your craft than in the heart of this rhythmic hub?
The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) provides you with the chance to do just that. With first-rate facilities, world-class performance venues, a wealth of learning resources, and a dedicated focus on performance, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re receiving the best possible education to spur on your creative future.
Image courtesy of Royal Northern College of Music
In June this year, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) declared the RNCM to be the UK’s joint leading music college for teaching, as part of their newly-established Teaching Excellence Framework.
This melting pot of cultural influences is the only UK College to offer a 4-year Bachelors programme in Popular Music, earning it extensive popularity among new-fangled musicians. Recognising the significance and ever-evolving nature of popular music, the College ensures its curriculum reflects the diversity of this contemporary art form, allowing students to study a multiplicity of musical styles.
The College also offers a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma of the RNCM, as well as a wealth of postgraduate options for further study.
Given this diverse and modern approach to music, international students flock to this thriving conservatoire, making up a quarter of the student body and originating from over 60 different countries.
With such a strong global interest, the College has set up an International Office whose dedicated staff offer support and guidance to international students on various aspects of living and studying in Manchester, visa and immigration, and assisting you with settling in to your exciting new life as an RNCM student.
Image courtesy of Royal Northern College of Music
This flourishing international community is in part owed to the College’s dedication to taking a global approach to talent, ensuring everyone with a gift and passion for the art gets a fair shot, regardless of where they are in the world.
To encourage international students to apply, RNCM carries out overseas auditions across the globe; including Australia, Hong Kong, USA, China, South Korea, and Singapore. Overseas students unable to attend a live audition are able to audition by video recording. For the 2017 schedule of auditions in line for entrance in 2018, keep an eye on RNCM’s website to ensure you don’t miss out. The schedule will continue to be updated with new dates so be sure you’re keeping track!
Once you’ve gone through the pressure of a live audition, you want to make sure you get the chance to perform during your studies…
Well, stand firm in the knowledge that RNCM places performance at the very heart of the student experience. The broad range of performance activities on offer, including everything from orchestral projects, chamber music and opera to jazz, Session Orchestra and Big Band, are guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning music lovers.
Image courtesy of Royal Northern College of Music
Students can also develop their skills through masterclasses with internationally-renowned artists and expert coaching from some of the best in the business.
The Platform, RNCM’s international centre for ensemble and vocal training, provides over 400 opportunities each year for students to participate in auditions, rehearsals, education projects and public performances. Over the past decade, the RNCM has established strong partnerships with some leading names in music meaning students get the chance to gain valuable insight by working alongside noted musical collectives such as the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras, the Black Dyke Band, Opera North, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, to name just a few.
All of this performance experience and industry exposure not only assists in your studies but also enhances your employability. Students are encouraged right from the outset to look beyond their studies to their future career and the faculty at the RNCM is there to guide you all the way.
The College provides Professional Experience Schemes that place a select number of students into professional settings with renowned orchestras and arts organisations.
Image courtesy of Royal Northern College of Music
It is also assured that every Bachelor of Music student undertakes at least one placement during their studies, potentially covering any number of music-focused career aspects, including education, management, and marketing.
Paid performance opportunities during your studies are possible through the RNCM Professional Engagements Team, giving students the feel of what being a professional musician is really like.
All these opportunities, along with the excellent guidance and performance facilities at RNCM, are what make graduates so attractive to prospective global employers, with an impressive 100 percent of graduates finding employment or further study within six months of graduation.
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