ROYAL ACADEMY OF ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSICMUSIC

Since 1822 the Royal Academy of Music, Britain's senior music Since 1822 the Royal Academy of Music, Britain's senior music conservatoire, has prepared students for a successful career in conservatoire, has prepared students for a successful career in music according to the evolving demands of the profession.music according to the evolving demands of the profession.

Many famous musicians - singers, players, conductors and Many famous musicians - singers, players, conductors and composers - have studied at the Academy. Some have returned as composers - have studied at the Academy. Some have returned as teachers to stimulate new generations of musicians, and others have teachers to stimulate new generations of musicians, and others have settled world-wide and become leaders in their chosen branch of the settled world-wide and become leaders in their chosen branch of the music profession.music profession.

The Academy is a kind of 'family' with its open and friendly The Academy is a kind of 'family' with its open and friendly atmosphere, something pretty apparent to people from the moment atmosphere, something pretty apparent to people from the moment they walk into the foyer. We may be steeped in a strong sense of they walk into the foyer. We may be steeped in a strong sense of tradition but, actually, we are dedicated above all to transforming and tradition but, actually, we are dedicated above all to transforming and developing these traditions to mean something really exciting for the developing these traditions to mean something really exciting for the 'here and now'. We're always debating how to match education to 'here and now'. We're always debating how to match education to professional reality. What are we if our training doesn't reflect, daily, professional reality. What are we if our training doesn't reflect, daily, the life around us?the life around us?

HISTORYHISTORY 1822 The Royal Academy of Music was founded by Lord Burghersh, at the first 1822 The Royal Academy of Music was founded by Lord Burghersh, at the first

premises in Tenterden Street, Hanover Square (pictured above right).premises in Tenterden Street, Hanover Square (pictured above right). 1830 King George IV granted a Royal Charter.1830 King George IV granted a Royal Charter. 1856 Arthur Sullivan (later Sir Arthur Sullivan) entered the Academy.1856 Arthur Sullivan (later Sir Arthur Sullivan) entered the Academy. 1880 The Academy had more than 340 pupils by this time. A system of 1880 The Academy had more than 340 pupils by this time. A system of

metropolitan examinations for teachers began.metropolitan examinations for teachers began. 1911 The Academy moved to new custom-built premises in Marylebone Road.1911 The Academy moved to new custom-built premises in Marylebone Road. 1923 Sir Henry Wood, a former student, joined as a professor.1923 Sir Henry Wood, a former student, joined as a professor. 1935 Foundation of the Junior Academy.1935 Foundation of the Junior Academy. 1953 The Coronation of the Academy's Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: the 1953 The Coronation of the Academy's Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: the

co-ordination of choral and orchestral arrangements was entrusted to Hugh co-ordination of choral and orchestral arrangements was entrusted to Hugh Marchant and David Martin, both of the Academy.Marchant and David Martin, both of the Academy.

1957 Harrison Birtwistle studied at the Academy from 1957-58.1957 Harrison Birtwistle studied at the Academy from 1957-58. 1961 Sir John Barbirolli, a former student, joined the Academy as Conductor of 1961 Sir John Barbirolli, a former student, joined the Academy as Conductor of

the First Orchestra.the First Orchestra. 1968 The new Library was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen 1968 The new Library was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen

Mother.Mother. 1971 Simon Rattle, Chief Conductor/Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic 1971 Simon Rattle, Chief Conductor/Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic

Orchestra from 2002, studied at the Academy from 1971-4.Orchestra from 2002, studied at the Academy from 1971-4. 1976 The Sir Jack Lyons Theatre was opened in the presence of1976 The Sir Jack Lyons Theatre was opened in the presence of

HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, the Academy's President.HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, the Academy's President. 1984 The Academy's first International Composer Festival devoted to the work of 1984 The Academy's first International Composer Festival devoted to the work of

a distinguished living composer - Witold Lutoslawski - in his presence.a distinguished living composer - Witold Lutoslawski - in his presence.

1991 Introduction of the unique BMus degree course. First overseas orchestral tour, by the 1991 Introduction of the unique BMus degree course. First overseas orchestral tour, by the Sinfonia, to the Republic of Korea.Sinfonia, to the Republic of Korea.

1992 Re-opening of the refurbished Duke's Hall.1992 Re-opening of the refurbished Duke's Hall. 1993 The Da Capo Composers Festival, featuring over 60 composers who studied at the 1993 The Da Capo Composers Festival, featuring over 60 composers who studied at the

Academy.Academy. 1996 The British and American Film Music Festival - four concerts conducted by Ron 1996 The British and American Film Music Festival - four concerts conducted by Ron

Goodwin, Michael Nyman, Michael Kamen and John Williams.Goodwin, Michael Nyman, Michael Kamen and John Williams. 1998 HRH The Duchess of Gloucester becomes the Academy's President. First orchestral 1998 HRH The Duchess of Gloucester becomes the Academy's President. First orchestral

visit, by the Sinfonia, to Beijing and Tokyo.visit, by the Sinfonia, to Beijing and Tokyo. 1999 The Academy becomes the first conservatoire to be admitted as a full member of the 1999 The Academy becomes the first conservatoire to be admitted as a full member of the

University of London, Britain's largest university.University of London, Britain's largest university. 2001 Opening of the York Gate Collections and David Josefowitz Recital Hall. Introduction 2001 Opening of the York Gate Collections and David Josefowitz Recital Hall. Introduction

of the new two-year postgraduate Royal Academy Opera course.of the new two-year postgraduate Royal Academy Opera course. 2002 Elton John performs at the Royal Opera House with the Academy's Symphony 2002 Elton John performs at the Royal Opera House with the Academy's Symphony

Orchestra and musical theatre choir, raising nearly £1million for the Academy's Elton John Orchestra and musical theatre choir, raising nearly £1million for the Academy's Elton John Scholarship Fund.Scholarship Fund.

2004 The Academy, with generous assistance from the Foyle Foundation, acquires Yehudi 2004 The Academy, with generous assistance from the Foyle Foundation, acquires Yehudi Menuhin's archive.Menuhin's archive.2005 A collaborative orchestra of students from the Academy and Juilliard School perform 2005 A collaborative orchestra of students from the Academy and Juilliard School perform under Sir Colin Davis at the BBC Proms.under Sir Colin Davis at the BBC Proms.

2006 In the final events of the Academy's Paganini in London festival, violin professor 2006 In the final events of the Academy's Paganini in London festival, violin professor Maxim Vengerov plays Paganini's Cannone violin - the instrument's first visit to London Maxim Vengerov plays Paganini's Cannone violin - the instrument's first visit to London since Paganini himself played it here.since Paganini himself played it here.

Royal Academy of MusicRoyal Academy of MusicMarylebone Road, London NW1 5HTMarylebone Road, London NW1 5HT

Nearest underground stations:Nearest underground stations:Regent's Park (Bakerloo line) or Baker Street (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Regent's Park (Bakerloo line) or Baker Street (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines).Hammersmith & City and Circle lines).

The Academy is at the heart of London, providing easy access to and from all parts of the The Academy is at the heart of London, providing easy access to and from all parts of the city and beyond.city and beyond.

There are some departments of academy:There are some departments of academy: AccordionAccordion Brass Brass Choral Conducting Choral Conducting Composition Composition Conducting Conducting Guitar Guitar Harp Harp Historical Performance Historical Performance Jazz Jazz Musical Theatre Musical Theatre Opera Opera Organ Organ Piano Piano Strings Strings Timpani and Percussion Timpani and Percussion Vocal Vocal Woodwind Woodwind

"If you want to be a musician, come to the "If you want to be a musician, come to the Academy. It has been a hoot. "Academy. It has been a hoot. "

Extract of student comment on Bulletin Extract of student comment on Bulletin Boards, June 2005Boards, June 2005