Orchestral Brass

Professional side-by-side mentoring schemes

We have mentoring schemes with four professional ensembles, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia (orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet), Welsh National Opera and Orchestra of the Swan.

The CBSO and BRB schemes are run on a professional basis: students are offered the opportunity to audition to sit in the orchestra for rehearsals. This is an enormously valuable and exciting project. Before the auditions take place, players from the CBSO hold audition preparation workshops, and after the audition, opportunities for feedback and continued advice on auditions. Following on from these schemes, some of our students have been invited to play professionally with both the CBSO and the RBS.

Brass players in orchestra on stage in the Bradshaw Hall

Brass Repertoire Classes

As a department, we offer extensive orchestral training through our twice-weekly brass repertoire classes, covering a wide range of orchestral music. The rota is designed to ensure every student has the chance to experience different orchestral parts. 

Orchestras and Ensembles

Whilst studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, there are many opportunities to play in the huge range of ensembles. These include:

    •        Symphony Orchestra
    •        Symphonic Brass
    •        Brass Band
    •        Repertoire Orchestra
    •        Thallein Ensemble
    •        Baroque Orchestra
    •        Projects Orchestra
    •        21st Century Orchestra
    •        Wind Ensemble
    •        Opera