University News Last updated 11 December
Principal Stephen Maddock shares the latest news on the December Open Day, RBC’s high number of applications, recent performances including a special tribute to Richard Tandy, the late keyboard player and composer for Birmingham's very own Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
Friends,
The Conservatoire building was full of energy – even fuller than usual – last week, as we welcomed young people, their families and school groups to our annual December Open Day.
Amid talks on the Music and Acting courses, there were also workshops, departmental talks, live performances in the café, a side-by-side rehearsal for orchestral players and a Jazz Jam. And as is traditional, the day got off to the most joyful possible start with a few numbers from the RBC Folk Ensemble. This gave all potential applicants a sense of the variety of opportunities that would await them should they join us here as a student.
We heard from a great many applicants last month, as we dedicated two weeks of the timetable to Music auditions. Acting auditions will follow in the early part of 2026.
November also saw a great many performances in our venues, including a hugely enjoyable tribute to Richard Tandy, the late keyboard player and composer for Birmingham’s very own Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). This special concert, put together by my colleague Matthew O’Malley, brought together more than 80 students with New Horizon, the band led by Mike Stevens, a graduate who has been Managing Director for Jeff Lynne’s ELO and Take That for several decades.
The following week, by way of maximum contrast, we held a superb chamber music festival, Shostakovich and His World, marking the 50th anniversary of the death of the great Russian composer.
In a similarly serious vein, our third-year Acting students gave four performances of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, followed by Frank McGuinness’s version of Electra this week. Plus, of course, a whole host of end-of-term musical activities – after which we will all be ready to collapse in a heap for a couple of weeks in front of some seasonal entertainment and nourishment.
In the meantime, I would like to wish all of the RBC family – students, staff, alumni, audiences and donors – a very Happy Christmas and a Joyful 2026!
Stephen Maddock
Principal