Blog

From Junior Conservatoire to touring the world: Elaine Ackers interviews Max Ruisi

Visiting Lecturer Elaine Ackers interviews former Junior Conservatoire student Max Ruisi about touring the world, recor...

Welcome to my Workspace - David Mayne, Performance Department Assistant

David has been balancing working from home with home-schooling his children, while enjoying easy access to the garden ...

Welcome to my Workspace - Richard Shrewsbury, Head of Learning and Participation and Senior Lecturer in Music Education

Richard enjoys having quick access to a range of musical toys to experiment and create with, while having a deeper app...

Passing the Baton: Connor Wilcox and Paul Wingfield

Welcome to the ninth instalment of the second series of ‘Passing the Baton’.  This week MMus pianist Connor Wilcox tal...

Passing the Baton: George West and Connor Wilcox

This week 2020 BMus Composition graduate George West talks to MMus pianist Connor Wilcox.

Welcome to my Workspace - Duncan Fielden, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Music)

Duncan enjoys the flora and fauna in his beautiful back garden, with a family of seven long-tailed tits visiting daily ...

Passing the Baton: Josh Landsburgh and George West

This week BMus Jazz multi-instrumentalist Josh Landsburgh talks to 2020 BMus Composition graduate George West.

Welcome to my Workspace - Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal

Julian is finding that there’s nothing like peace and quiet for being productive. That said, the novelty of working fr...

All the way from NYC to RBC

Our Postgraduate student, Dara Silverman, decided she wanted to come and join Royal Birmingham Conservatoire all the wa...

Passing the Baton: Bill Hunt and Josh Landsburgh

This week RBC Research Student and early strings specialist Bill Hunt talks to BMus Jazz saxophonist Josh Landsburgh. ...

Passing the Baton: Jack Parry and Bill Hunt

This week MMus tenor Jack Parry talks to RBC Research Student and early strings specialist Bill Hunt.

Passing the Baton: Salomé Chitaia and Jack Parry

This week 2020 Advanced Postgraduate Diploma pianist Salomé Chitaia speaks to MMus tenor Jack Parry.

Passing The Baton: Connor Christie and Salomé Chitaia

In the latest edition of the second series, BMus 3 Hearing Film Module Leader Connor Christie speaks to Pianist Salo...

My first year experience in BA (Hons) Acting

Kiara Pillai joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Acting. She tells us how...

Passing the Baton: Nathan Isaac and Connor Christie

Welcome to the second instalment of a new series of Passing the Baton. This week 2020 BMus (Hons) graduate and clarine...

My first year experience in BA (Hons) Stage Management

Jasper Mattel joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Stage Management. They ...

My first year experience in Acting

Edward Conroy joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Acting. He tells us wha...

My first year experience in Music

Ruby Thorne joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BMus (Hons) Music. She shares with ...

Passing the baton: Michael Wolters and Nathan Isaac

In a new series of Passing the Baton, Deputy Head of Composition Michael Wolters speaks to BMus (Hons) graduate and cl...

My acting career highlights

Ten years on from graduating from Birmingham School of Acting, Philip D McQuillan reflects upon a career which started ...

Passing the Baton: Sam Walker and Daniele Rosina

This week we have come full circle and Sam Walker passes the baton (appropriately) to RBC Resident Conductor, Daniele R...

Passing The Baton: Daniel Tong and Sam Walker

This week, Head of Piano in Chamber Music, Daniel Tong talks to BMus 4 trumpeter Sam Walker.

Passing the Baton: Naomi Sullivan and Daniel Tong

This week, RBC Head of Saxophone Naomi Sullivan talks to Head of Piano in Chamber Music, Daniel Tong  about the Intern...

Passing The Baton: Thomas Pilsbury and Naomi Sullivan

This week, second year MMus Trombone student  Thomas Pilsbury talks to RBC Head of Saxophone, Naomi Sullivan.

Passing The Baton: Thomas Pilsbury and Caroline Pether

This week, RBC Violin Tutor Caroline Pether talks to second year MMus Trombone student Thomas Pilsbury.

Passing The Baton: Andy Ingamells and Caroline Pether

This week, RBC Composition Tutor Andy Ingamells talks to Violin Tutor Caroline Pether.

Passing The Baton: Andy Ingamells and Mark Ashford

RBC Head of Guitar Mark Ashford asks Composition Tutor Andy Ingamells how he’s been occupying himself during quarantin...

Passing The Baton: Daniele Rosina and Mark Ashford

In the first instalment of our brand new series,  Passing The Baton,  RBC Resident Conductor Daniele Rosina chats with ...

Your wellbeing as a musician

How to look after your mental health at university

How to get ahead in Applied Theatre

Course Director Peter Wynne Willson explains why the connections we have to over 60 theatre companies all over the cou...

Travelling the world as a Stage Manager

Always remember why you love to perform

Khalid explains how progressing from youth theatre to completing his training at RBC set him on the path to a varied c...

A busy term for Stage Management

Applied Theatre students raise awareness about genetic disease

Applied Theatre students use  theatre to create change and exploring what it means to be human. 

BA Acting Showcase 2020

BA Acting student Bobbi Blaza talks about her experience performing in her final year showcase.

What happens at an RBC Open Day?

On Thursday 23 January we hosted another successful open day at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire!

Our 12 Plays of Christmas

Here's a few of the highlights from students and alumni that listeners and concert-goers can enjoy in the run up to fes...

Postgraduate actors' study trip to Shakespeare’s Globe

In early November a group of postgraduate actors visited Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London for a study day host...

Continuing as a postgrad at RBC

RBC composer Emily Abdy explains what her experience has been like as both a continuing student, and a ‘new’ postgradu...

A career in film and TV composition

Conservatoire graduate Lindsay Wright studied BMus (Hons) Music Technology and built up an impressive portfolio before...

Taking the lead

Eleanor Homer and Henry Charnock, both students in their third year of our BA (Hons) Acting course, share their tips...

Brass band conducting student takes up the baton

Tom Stoneman, the first student to gain a place (with scholarship) on Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's new MMus course...

Invaluable advice from acting graduate Corey Campbell

Corey Campbell (graduated BA Acting, 2013) is the founder and Creative Director of Strictly Arts, a physical theatre c...

Why study acting at a conservatoire or drama school?

Deciding where to train and which course is best for you can feel like a very daunting task – there are so many instit...

Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship recipient Aaron Price

Since 2018 The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has funded a scholarship at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire which is award...

The Big F.A.T. Weekend

If you had asked me three years ago to make a theatre piece in just two months with only £100 budget, I probably would ...

Meet our Head of Percussion, Toby Kearney

Discover more about Toby's role, his career highlights and his thoughts on what makes a successful musician.

My first year as a Stage Manager

During the summer leading up to starting it didn’t really sink in that I was going to university, and it wasn’t until I...

Conservatoire students’ sport and physical hobbies

Conservatoire students are very dedicated; practise, study and performance takes up a lot of time. However it’s also i...

Conservatoire students’ creative hobbies

It's important for students to have some time away their studies to help them relax and unwind. Have a look at some of ...

My first year experience at RBC

I’m Phoebe – I’m a trumpet player from Northamptonshire, and I’ve just completed my first year on the BMus course at R...

Lifting the Lid - devised by first year Applied Theatre students

My name is Elena Yianni and I am studying for a degree in Applied Theatre at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. At the en...

Meet the Course Director of BA Stage Management, Jacqui Findlay

Jacqui Findlay is the Course Director for our BA (Hons) Stage Management course. Find out about Jacqui's background and...

What can I experience at an RBC Open Day?

Choosing where to study as an aspiring musician, composer or music technologist is a big decision. I recommend attendi...

A year in our Eastside Venues

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to audition to represent the school...

Meet the Course Director of BA Applied Theatre, Peter Wynne Willson

Peter Wynne Willson is the Course Director of our  BA (Hons) Applied Theatre course. Find out what makes Peter love hi...

Meet the Course Director of BA Acting, Danièle Sanderson

Danièle Sanderson is the Course Director for our BA (Hons) Acting . Find out about Danièle's background and the top ti...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Sam Wanamaker Festival

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of th...

Stage Management presents…Until Proven Guilty

Each year, RBC’s third year Stage Management students stage an immersive theatre project, the aim being that the audie...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Sondheim Competition

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of t...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Alan Bates Award

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of t...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: The BBC Carleton Hobbs Competition

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to audition to represent the school...

Healthy and happy musicians

Amos Miller has been Head of Brass at RBC since September 2018, having spent the previous 23 years as a freelance trom...

First show to final show – what I’ve learnt

Final year BA (Hons) Acting students spoke to us about their first show on the course compared to their final show bef...

Hidden in Plain Sight showcased at the MAC Theatre

Landing my professional acting job, before graduation!

My name is Seb Yates Cridland. I grew up in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire and found a love for theatre at an early ag...

What I’ve learned studying at a Conservatoire

Final year composition student, Emily Abdy, tells us about the main things she's learned whilst studying at Royal Birmi...

BA Acting Showcase 2019

When you start training at any drama school, everyone is very much aware of the importance of showcase in their final ...

Expansion of the Elmhurst Ballet Piano Scheme

Following a successful pilot in 2017, we are pleased to see the expansion of our Ballet Piano Scheme for piano student...

Stage Management celebrates 10th Birthday

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s BA (Hons) Stage Management course celebrated its 10-year birthday in October 2018. The...

Meet the course director of MA Acting, Lise olson

Previous to her role as Course Director of MA Acting at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Lise trained actors for a decad...

Meet Alex Taylor, Head of Postgraduate study (Acting)

We spoke to Alex Taylor, Head of Postgraduate Studies (Acting) for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Alex, also Course Di...

A trip to Abbey Road

On the 26 October composer Rosie Tunley and a band of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire musicians featuring Kai Chareunsy,...

Applied Theatre students in Seoul

Follow our applied theatre students on their trip to Seoul.

Audition tips from Julian

Before dedicating his career to music education full-time as Principal of RBC, Julian enjoyed one of the most creative ...

Meet our Head of Brass, Amos Miller

Find out more about Amos' responsibilities and what he considers the greatest challenges facing new music students.

Meet our Head of Music Technology, Dr Simon Hall

Take a look at how Simon thinks prospective students can look forward to when they join.

Meet our Head of Composition, Professor Joe Cutler

Discover Joe's career highlights so far and his favourite thing about working for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Meet our Head of Woodwind, Jenni Phillips

Learn what Jenni looks for in musicians auditioning to join her department and her main responsibilities.

Meet our Head of Vocal, Paul Wingfield

Learn more about Paul's role, his team, and what he looks for in students auditioning to join the Vocal Department. 

MIAGI Europe tour

Postgraduate viola student Tony Holden shares the best bits of the six-week orchestral tour around Europe. 

Three types of drama school student

Take a look at how drama school offers much more more than you might expect.

Meet our Head of Strings, Dr Louise Lansdown

Find out more about Louise thinks sets RBC apart from other conservatoires.