Your time to shine! ✨ Send us your news for the spring edition of Upbeat, the Royal College of Music’s termly magazine, by Friday 23 January. We welcome updates from all alumni, students and staff at [email protected] 📸 alumna Louise Alder, Last Night of the Proms, Chris Christodoulou

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of John Wallace CBE. John was one of the UK’s finest trumpeters and taught at the RCM for many years. In 2007 he received an RCM Fellowship for his profound impact on music and education. Image © Chris Christodoulou

Congratulations to Aries Chow, Krissi Georgieva, Ugne Liepa Zuklyte and Niccolo Citrani for gaining places on LSO's String Experience! These RCM students will gain work experience by playing in rehearsals and concerts with the LSO. 📷: E. Blazevic, Oukool Creative, Giulio Gennari

The RCM is delighted to announce the 1851 MSc Studentships, supported by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. The 1851 MSc Studentships will offer four full-fee studentships in 2026/27 and are open to MSc applicants eligible to pay home fees. Find out more: bit.ly/rcm-1851-stu...

The Royal College of Music has been ranked the number one conservatoire for sustainability in People & Planet’s University League Table for the fourth year running! 🌱 Find out more about sustainability at the RCM: bit.ly/4jwmA0r

Curious about conducting? At this year's Festival of Conducting on Sunday 1 February, join #RCMSparks for an exciting chance to conduct a live ensemble and explore how conductors bring music to life! Open to ages 15-18. Learn more & apply by Friday 23 January: bit.ly/getwiththebeat

Congratulations to the 25 individuals who received honorary awards for their outstanding contributions to music, music education and the RCM. Dame Janet Baker CH and Mark-Anthony Turnage CBE were among the celebrated musicians receiving awards. Find out more: bit.ly/4j7wFkq

Look back on another outstanding term at the Royal College of Music with Upbeat magazine's roundup of recent successes! Explore extraordinary achievements from across the RCM community of students, staff and alumni 🎉 Catch up with all the latest news 👉 bit.ly/UpbeatUpdates

That’s a wrap! As our Autumn Term comes to a close, we're taking a look back at another brilliant season – thank you to all who joined us in person and online. Our social media will be taking a break over the festive period, but we’ll back in the new year with more to share with you.

‘It gives you a new perspective!’ Discover improvisation at the RCM – a unique part of our curriculum, encouraging students to let go of traditional notation, open their ears and expand their horizons. Find out more in #RCMUpbeat magazine: bit.ly/RCMimprov

Kurt Cobain’s world-famous guitar has been donated to the Royal College of Music! Plans are in development for the guitar to appear in an international touring exhibition from 2026. Read more about the generous donation: bit.ly/4aJx2zo #KurtCobain #Nirvana #Rock

A world of music awaits you ✨ Booking is now open for our Spring Season – join us for riveting events ranging from chamber masterpieces to disco classics, and dazzling jazz arrangements to musical theatre tunes. Browse all events and book your tickets now: www.rcm.ac.uk/events

We did it!🎉 Thanks to your generosity, the RCM Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 raised £226,594 (with Gift Aid) for the RCM Scholarships Fund🎶 Your support helps talented young musicians access the world-class training they deserve. Thank you✨

Another amazing review of the RCM’s Opera Studio production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, this time from The Observer! Read about the confidence and impressive musicality of the cast and RCM Opera Orchestra in the full review ⬇️ bit.ly/4rMkBJ4

A Christmas classic, reimagined! ✨ Our percussion students bring new sparkle to ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ in this special arrangement by RCM student Guy Courtie. Wishing you all a joyful and uplifting festive season filled with music and cheer! #RCMChristmas #ChristmasCarols

'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

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

‘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...

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

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...

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...

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

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

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

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.

Tell us your news! 📣 We love to hear from RCM staff, students and alumni – from performances to projects to publications. Send your updates to [email protected] 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

Tra le fiamme, the latest recording on Channel Classics, brings together the RCM's innovative new 3D printed instruments with rare originals from the RCM Collection, performed by alumni and leading professors from our Historical Performance Faculty! Discover the recording: bit.ly/RCM-Tralefia...

Last week #RCMSparks kicked off the Springboard Young Composers Course with a special rehearsal visit at the Royal Albert Hall and a trip to the RCM Museum's Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition. Well done to the new students for creating amazing work inspired by music from the BBC Proms! 🎶

We’re thrilled to welcome three outstanding new professors to the Strings Faculty! 🎶 Joining our faculty are principal harp of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Elizabeth Bass, award-winning harpist Oliver Wass, and internationally acclaimed violinist Esther Yoo. Read more➡️ bit.ly/RCM-Stringsp...

RCM singers take centre stage at the BBC Proms this week! Tonight, alumna Ava Dodd joins Visiting Professors Brindley Sherratt and Nicky Spence in Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth. Then on Sunday, look out for alumni Laurence Kilsby and Elizabeth Watts in Bliss’ cantata The Beatitudes.

Can you name that character? 🐺🦆🐦 Hear Prokofiev’s iconic Peter and the Wolf, brought to life by RCM musicians in this intimate arrangement. Watch the full performance on YouTube, led by RCM conductor Sam Scheer & narrated by the wonderful Lucy Hollins: youtu.be/25Jt_Dklkzs

#RCMSparks is delighted to once again be partnering with GALSI (Gender and the Large and Shiny Instruments) to offer an exciting two-day course at the RCM! 📅28–29 October 🎟️Pay What You Can – Free places also available Learn more and apply: bit.ly/galsi2025