Woodwind
Royal Conservatoire Stevenson Winds is the prestige wind ensemble created to
promote the outstanding talent within the Woodwind Department at the Royal Conservatoire of
Scotland.
The core ensemble comprises the traditional line-up of pairs of oboes,
clarinets, bassoons and horns; but is frequently expanded and manipulated to encompass the broadest
spectrum of performance experience. A pool of advanced wind players are selected through audition
to work with the ensemble.
Stevenson Winds is designed to offer students invaluable collaborative
opportunities, rehearsing and performing alongside top professionals. To this end, the ensemble
frequently involves and is led by members of our distinguished staff. The collaborative aspect is
intrinsic from the start, with our professionals and students designing challenging and inspiring
programmes, working through an intensive rehearsal process towards final performances, many of
which are high profile engagements. Coupled with this kind of true side-by-side experience, the
students are also given the skills and opportunity to work and perform independently. The overall
experience for our young musicians, we believe, is hugely influential to their musical
development.
Since its launch in 2008, Stevenson Winds has performed under the direction of
our staff members, celebrated clarinettist Maximiliano Martín and RSNO oboist Emmanuel Laville. The
ensemble embraces a diverse catalogue of repertoire from famous Harmoniemusik masterpieces to
lesser performed contemporary works. Its profile has flourished gaining much critical acclaim and
is growing in demand as a professional ensemble.
