Woodwind
As a student of the woodwind department, you will immediately appreciate the supportive and collaborative attitude shared by our staff and students, making for an atmosphere that is motivational rather than competitive.
We offer a wide range of experiences for our students, as soloists, in orchestras and as chamber musicians. You would be part of a very busy department! We also devote much attention to pedagogy – an essential and extremely rewarding asset for future employment. We take the greatest care to nurture and develop every student's skills, to create individuals with a wealth of knowledge, who are fully prepared for the profession.
Our staff
Our expert teaching staff are renowned as leading performers and teachers in the UK and provide exceptional tuition.
Our staffOur tutors
We also have a variety of tutors who provide specialist teaching and advice within the Woodwind department.
Our tutorsPerformances
Come along to an RBC performance to see our current students in action, alongside some of the biggest names in classical and contemporary music.
Upcoming performancesOrchestras and Ensembles
Whilst studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, you will have many opportunities to play in the various ensembles and orchestras. These include:
- Symphony Orchestra
- Repertoire Orchestra
- Thallein Orchestra
- Baroque Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
- Opera Orchestra
- Classical Big Band
- Wind Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Woodwind Training Scheme
Students are offered the opportunity to audition to sit in the CBSO for rehearsals. This is an enormously valuable and exciting project. Before the auditions take place, players from the CBSO hold audition preparation workshops. Successful students will be invited in for a selection of orchestral rehearsals and free tickets to concerts. An unbeatable experience!
Following on from the CBSO scheme opportunity, several of our students have been invited to play professionally with the CBSO.
BRB Student-in-Residence Scheme
Birmingham Royal Ballet has launched a new Student-in-Residence scheme. This exciting new scheme selects a student from across the Conservatoire for the opportunity to play in rehearsals with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet, for one calendar year. Throughout this scheme the student will be mentored by members of the orchestra and Principal Conductor Paul Murphy.
Welsh National Opera Side-by-Side
Playing alongside members of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra as part of complete woodwind sections, and directed by WNO’s conductors and leaders, this scheme gives students valuable insight into the special flexibility that is required in opera repertoire.
Staff spotlight
Jenni Phillips studied at the Purcell School and the Royal College of Music with Michael Winfield. She then went on to win a Countess of Munster Scholarship to study at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies.
Jenni is currently Head of Woodwind at RBC.