Introduction

Welcome to the Brass department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where we hope you can find out all you need to know about our B(Mus) Brass programme.

The department is led by Head of Brass, John Logan. After a long playing career with many of the UK’s symphony orchestras, including a five-year tenure with Sir Simon Rattle at the CBSO, and a seventeen-year tenure as Associate Principal Horn with the RSNO, John works closely with students, sharing his extensive performance experience. John is still active in the professional performing world as a conductor and arranger especially in the area where Scottish folk music collaborates alongside the symphony orchestra.

Unrivalled one-to-one tuition
The Brass programme has a long tradition of excellence and a worldwide reputation for training leading musicians. Our team of dedicated staff includes many of Britain’s finest brass players, with international reputations as soloists, orchestral, and chamber musicians. Students receive an unparalleled two hours individual tuition a week, divided between principal study (trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba, euphonium, or cornet), and either a second study or related study such as handhorn or piccolo trumpet. It is also possible to receive lesson time from our jazz department. We have regular visiting artists from all brass disciplines and have at present an International Fellow to the department, Ian Bousfield.

Performance opportunities
On this programme you’ll get a real sense of the demands of the professional world, with weekly classes in orchestral repertoire and the opportunity to set up your own ensembles and perform in our lunchtime concert series. We also enjoy professional collaborations with Scotland’s major orchestras and operate mentoring schemes with the RSNO, BBC SSO and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. Through these connections it is possible, through competitions and auditions, to be assessed by performing a concerto alongside these top professional players.

In comparison to other conservatoires we run a smaller department, large enough to tackle challenging repertoire, but small enough to ensure widespread performance opportunities for every student. Our students take part in Symphony, Wind, Opera, and Chamber Orchestras, and a diverse range of ensembles including Big Band and Royal Conservatoire Brass. Our ensembles give concerts regularly at home and abroad; recent overseas performance opportunities have included China, Malta, Germany and Brazil.

Glasgow has so many great orchestras that there are a number of excellent brass players in the city who are connected to RCS. Frequently you’ll see tutors performing in professional situations and you’ll build up professional connections during your studies.

Programme structure

Detailed below you will find what is expected year by year in the BMus programme. Common to all years are your principal study lessons, performance classes and creative and contextual studies. Throughout the programme you will be given formative feedback grades in supporting studies that will include performance classes, ensembles including chamber, orchestra, repertoire classes and tutor reports.with the opportunity to undertake a second or related study and take part in masterclasses and concerts.

As the programme progresses you are given more credits of your own choice. These may be taken as added academic modules, cross-school modules or by being involved in more performance based activities.

You will benefit from 90 minutes individual one-to-one tuition each week from our experienced staff and have the opportunity to undertake a second or related study, and also classes in Creative and Contextual Studies.

Year One

You will benefit from 90 minutes individual one-to-one tuition each week, the opportunity to undertake a second or related study, and also classes in Creative and Contextual Studies .

Performance 1 (Technical Assessment):

You’ll be expected to play:

Performance 2 (Non-public recital):

You will present a programme of varied repertoire, the overall duration to be 20 minutes. One piece is required to be played from memory.

Year Two

You will benefit from 90 minutes individual tuition each week, the opportunity to undertake a second or related study, and also classes in Creative and Contextual Studies .

Performance 1 (Technical Assessment):

You’ll be expected to play:

Performance 2 (Non-public recital):

You will present a programme of varied repertoire, the overall duration to be 25 minutes. One piece is required to be played from memory.

Year Three

You will benefit from 90 minutes individual tuition each week, the opportunity to undertake a second or related study, and also classes in Creative and Contextual Studies .

Performance 1 (Technical Assessment):

You will present a programme of varied repertoire, the overall duration to be 30 minutes.

Year Four

You will benefit from 90 minutes individual tuition each week, the opportunity to undertake a second or related study, and also classes in Creative and Contextual Studies.

Performance 1 (Mock Orchestral Audition):

The candidate will be expected to present one unaccompanied recital piece and twelve prepared orchestral excerpts – ( a set list of eight will be provided; four are free choice)

Sight-reading will be given.

Performance 2 (Public recital):

You will present a programme of varied repertoire, the overall duration to be 35 minutes

Staff and masterclasses

Our teaching staff includes principal and co-principal players of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.

International Fellow

Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Tuba

Period and Historical Performance

Cornetto / Natural Trumpet

Sackbut

Ophicleide and Serpent

• Anthony George (Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestra of the 18th Century)

Accompanist

• Scott Mitchell

Recent visiting professionals who have delivered seminars and Masterclasses include Valentin Garvie, Ewen Easton, Graham Sibley, Keith McNichol, Kristian Steenstrup, Ian Bousfield and Boston Brass.

Distance lessons

Video conference one-to-one lessons and brass clinics can now be booked by arrangement.

For more information and bookings please contact Helen Douthwaite: H.Douthwaite@rcs.ac.uk

Why choose us?

• Highest quality tuition from expert teachers, many of whom are players in the national companies
• Our students have access to the BBC SSO Mentoring Scheme and the RSNO’s Professional Experience Scheme to learn from industry professionals
• Opportunity to regularly rehearse and obtain feedback from players of the national orchestras
• 90-minute individual lesson coupled with an extra 30 minutes for a related study
• Small class sizes allowing tutors more time to dedicate individual attention to each student
• Access to the John Webb collection of over 450 historical brass instruments

How to apply

Before applying we recommend that you follow our Applicant Guide journey which provides all the essential information regarding entry requirements, and the full application and audition process.

Begin your Applicant Journey here.

Making your application

Applications for the BMus programme should be made through the UCAS Conservatoires website. There is a UCAS application fee of £25 (which is in addition to the audition fee) which allows you up to six choices of programme of study.

Preparing for an interview

The audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:

• performance at audition/interview
• commitment to the particular programme
• potential to benefit from the programme
• academic qualifications
• personal statement
• performance qualifications
• performance/practical experience
• references
• contextualised data

Applicants are selected first and foremost on the basis of merit and potential. However, due attention is also paid to the range of Principal Studies accepted in order to ensure the optimum experience for each student and to sustain the critical mass required for curricular activities, such as the symphony orchestra and choral activities.

Entry requirements

• Scottish Highers – 3 passes (grade C or above)
• A Levels – 2 passes
• International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level

Subjects recommended

Other standards

A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. Successful applicants will normally be of a standard at least equivalent to Grade 8 with Distinction of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in their Principal Study.

We offer a flexible approach to students taking Highers over more than one academic year and/or who achieve their qualifications in more than one sitting.

Entrance to the Royal Conservatoire is based on talent, potential and ability, therefore consideration will be given to relevant experience which is deemed to compensate for any traditional education. We accept a wide range of qualification, including international qualifications. If you wish to check the suitability of your qualification/experience, please contact us (admissions@rcs.ac.uk ).

English language

The language of study is English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Other equivalent English Language qualifications may be considered, please contact us for more information. (admissions@rcs.ac.uk)

Fees & scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2017-18

Scottish/EU students

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) will pay tuition fees for all eligible full-time Scottish-based and other non-UK undergraduate EU students, who are studying in Scotland at degree level for the first time. Students should apply to SAAS for payment of tuition fees even if they are not applying for any other means of support. Eligible students can also apply for student loans through SAAS . For further advice and to check eligibility contact SAAS directly on 0300 555 0505 or visit their website .

Rest of UK students

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland will be eligible for the same funding/loan package that they would benefit from if they attended an institution in their home country. For further advice please visit student finance England , student financeWales , or student finance Northern Ireland as appropriate.

International students

Students from outside the EU typically fund higher education by a variety of resources, depending on the home country. More specific information on funding options relevant to specific countries can be found here .

Scholarships

Any potential student who auditions for a place at the Royal Conservatoire will automatically be considered for a scholarship. They are awarded on a combination of talent, potential and financial need. More information about Scholarships is available here

Sources of external funding

For more information about alternative funding sources, including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit here.

The Conservatoire’s International and Student Experience team are available to advise and assist applicants and current students in respect of queries about funding your studies at the Conservatoire. Please email or telephone +44 (0)141 270 8281/ +44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.

Graduate destinations

Many Royal Conservatoire Brass alumni occupy positions in orchestras and ensembles across the world. Here is a sample:

• John Gracie, John Logan, Dávur Juul Magnussen, Christopher Gough, Andrew McLean – Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• Mark O’Keeffe, Alan Mathieson, Hedley Benson – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• Nigel Cox, Gregor Stuart – Scottish Chamber Orchestra
• Simon Bird – Orchestra of Scottish Opera
• Alexander McGratton, Alan Friel – Orchestra of Scottish Ballet
• Martin Wright – City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
• Elaine Close – BBC Philharmonic
• Daniel Edwards, Arlene MacFarlane – BBC National Orchestra Wales
• Keith McNicol, Jonathan Durrant – Royal Opera House Covent Garden
• Frances Magee, Jason Sinclair, Colme Byrne – RTÉ Symphony Orchestra
• Paul Klein – Ulster Orchestra
• James Mildred – Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
• Laurie Gargan – Singapore Philharmonic
• Dougie Waterston – Hong Kong Philharmonic
• Robert Ross – Munich Philharmonic and Bayreuth Festspiel Orkester
• Christopher Dicken – Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Mahler Chamber Orchestra
• Matthew Breeze – Tenerife Symphony Orchestra
• João Carneiro – Algarve Symphony Orchestra
• Angela Whelan – Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
• Lorna MacDonald – Bones Apart Trombone Quartet
• Ryan Quigley – Lorna MacDonald, Michael Owers – Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

Facilities

The Brass department has access to the many facilities and resources RCS has to offer. As well as a fabulous library and several computer suites, our Brass students have access not only to a purpose-built recording studio but the use of an expert recording producer. Recordings can be made for course assessments and also at any time for personal use.

Our large venues are used regularly by brass playing in symphony orchestra, wind orchestra, opera, ballet, musical theatre and chamber-sized ensembles.

Externally you may play in the Glasgow City Hall, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the soon to be new home of the RSNO.

Images and videos

Royal Conservatoire Brass Department