Skip to main content
Covid-19: discover our latest updates
Masthead Item Logo Image
Back to Home
back to On The Verge
  • Share the showcase
  • Back to RCS
  • Back
  • Search
  • Home
  • Study
    • Study
    • Undergraduate programmes
      • Dance
        • BA Modern Ballet
        • Professional Graduate Diploma in Modern Ballet
      • Drama
        • BA Acting
        • BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice
        • BA Musical Theatre
        • BA Performance in British Sign Language and English
        • Professional Graduate Diploma in Musical Directing
      • Music
        • Bachelor of Music (Honours)
          • Brass
          • Composition
          • Guitar and Harp
          • Jazz
          • Keyboard
          • Strings
          • Timpani and Percussion
          • Traditional Music
          • Traditional Music: Piping
          • Vocal Performance
          • Woodwind
      • Education
        • Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours
        • Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Music)
      • Production
        • BA Production Arts and Design
        • BA Production Technology and Management
      • Film
        • BA Filmmaking
    • Postgraduate programmes
      • Drama
        • MA Musical Theatre: Performance
        • MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing
        • MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text
      • Music
        • Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music
        • Artist Diploma
        • MA Psychology in the Arts (Music)
        • MMus/MA
          • Brass
          • Chamber Music
          • Composition
          • Conducting
          • Guitar and Harp
          • Historically Informed Performance Practice
          • Jazz
          • Keyboard
          • Opera
          • Performance Pedagogy
          • Piano Accompaniment
          • Piano for Dance
          • Repetiteurship
          • Traditional Music
          • Strings
          • Timpani and Percussion
          • Vocal Performance
          • Woodwind
      • Education
        • Part-time Learning and Teaching Programmes
          • MEd in Learning and Teaching in the Arts
          • Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in the Arts
    • Doctoral degrees
      • PhD/MPhil
      • About Research Knowledge and Exchange
      • Doctor of Performing Arts
      • Exchange Talks
    • Children and young people
      • Junior Conservatoire
      • About us
        • About us
        • Our patrons
        • Junior Open Days
        • Contact us
        • Audition Terms and Conditions
        • Junior Conservatoire - Fraserburgh
      • Music
        • Early Years Music
          • Early Years ages 1-4
          • Primary Instrumental Programme Wind, Brass and Percussion
          • Primary Musicianship and Instrumental Lessons
        • Pre-Junior Conservatoire Music (Primary 4 – Primary 7)
        • Classical Music
        • Traditional Music
        • Jazz
        • Composition
        • Music Centres
      • Dance
        • Pre-Junior Conservatoire of Dance
        • Contemporary Dance
        • Modern Ballet
      • Production
        • Production
      • Drama
        • Acting
        • Musical Theatre
        • Young Actors Rep Company
        • Young Musical Theatre Company
        • Young Theatre Company
      • Film
        • Film
      • Young Companies
      • Short Courses
      • About us
        • About Short Courses
        • Meet the team
        • Financial Support
        • Student support
        • Promotional offers
        • Terms and Conditions
        • Visit Us
      • Music
        • All Music Courses
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Dance
        • All Dance Courses
        • RAD Classes
        • Summer Schools
      • Production
        • All Production Courses
        • Short study
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Drama
        • All Drama Courses
        • Weekly Drama classes for ages 3-17
        • Short study
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Film
        • All Film Courses
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Traditional Music Graded Exams
      • Course Finder
    • Adults
      • About Short Courses for Adults
        • Adult Short Courses
        • Meet the team
        • Financial support
        • Student support
        • Promotional offers
        • Terms and Conditions
        • Visit Us
      • Dance
        • All Dance Courses
        • Short study
        • Weekly Classes
        • Summer Schools
      • Drama
        • All Drama Courses
        • Weekly classes
        • Short Study
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Music
        • All Music Courses
        • Short Study
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Production
        • All Production Courses
        • Short Study
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
      • Film
        • All Film Courses
        • Weekly Classes
        • Audition Preparation
        • Summer Schools
    • Fair Access
      • About Fair Access
      • Fair Access
        • Contextualised Admissions Information
        • Corporate Parenting
      • Transitions
      • Transitions
      • Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI)
      • Widening Access to the Creative Industries
        • Workshops
        • Music Centres
      • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at Dumfries House
      • Dumfries House
    • Staff A-Z
    • Courses A-Z
  • Research
    • Research
    • Welcome to Research and KE at RCS
    • Doctoral degrees
      • PhD/MPhil
      • About Research Knowledge and Exchange
      • Doctor of Performing Arts
      • Exchange Talks
    • Staff research
    • Knowledge Exchange
    • Exchange Talks
  • Why RCS?
    • Why RCS?
    • Like Nowhere Else
      • Welcome from the Principal
      • Our history
      • World leading
      • Graduate employment
    • Learn from the best
      • Staff A-Z
      • Supporting you
        • Counselling
        • Disabilities
          • Support for disabled students
        • Effective Learning
        • Health and Wellbeing
        • Money advice
        • Student transitions
      • Professional Partnerships
      • Students’ Union
        • LGBT
        • Student Experience Representatives
    • Collaboration
      • Bridge Week
      • Performance
      • Options Modules
      • Centre for Voice in Performance
        • Teaching
        • Staff
        • Growing Voices
        • Lifelong Learning
        • Published Research
        • Finding a voice
    • Performance
      • International opportunities
      • Edinburgh Festivals
      • Industry showcases
      • Perform with our Partners
    • Campus and facilities
      • Performance venues
        • Stevenson Hall
        • The New Athenaeum Theatre
        • Ledger Recital Room
        • Alexander Gibson Opera Studio
        • The Chandler Studio Theatre
      • Production facilities
        • Wardrobe
        • Paintshop and scenic art
        • Design studios
        • Props
        • Construction workshop
        • Stage Technologies
      • Recording studios
        • Electroacoustic labs
      • Learning and teaching rooms
        • Fyfe Lecture Theatre
        • Dance and gyrotronic studios
        • Drama rehearsal rooms
        • Music practice rooms
      • Whittaker Library and IT
        • E-Journals
        • Electronic Resources
        • IT Suite
        • IT Facilities
      • Archives and Collections
        • Our archive
        • Archive Anniversary - 10 in 10
        • Instrument collections
        • Music manuscript collections
        • Performers and research collections
      • Cafe
        • Jack Bruce Space
      • Accommodation
        • Base Glasgow
        • Private accommodation
      • Take our virtual tour
    • Glasgow
      • Culture and nightlife
      • Food and drink
      • Arts
      • Scotland and Edinburgh
        • Edinburgh Festivals
    • Vision and governance
      • Strategic Plan
      • Accounts
      • Governance
        • Governors
        • Members of the Board
        • Dates and Minutes
        • Resources for Board Members
        • Board Vacancies
      • Equality and diversity
        • Our commitment to Equality and Diversity
        • Gender Action Plan
        • Equality Impact Assessments
        • Equality Act 2010
        • Equal pay
        • Links
  • Apply
    • Apply
    • How to apply
      • Apply for Drama and Dance programmes
      • Apply for Music programmes
      • Apply for Production and Film programmes
      • Apply for Research programmes
      • Apply for Learning and Teaching programmes
    • Visit us
      • Find us
      • Open days & admissions events
      • Book a tour
      • Advice lessons
    • Finance
      • Fees and funding
        • 2017-2018 fees
        • 2018-2019 fees
        • Scotland
        • EU
        • England
        • Northern Ireland
        • Wales
        • Other Sources of Funding (Undergraduate Level and Above)
        • International contacts
        • UG/PG online payments
      • Scholarships
        • Music Scholarships
        • Conducting Fellowship
        • James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
    • International Exchange and Study Abroad
      • International Partners
      • Outbound Exchange Students
      • Inbound Exchange Students
      • Staff Exchange
    • International Students
      • International Students
      • English requirements
      • Visas
        • Visitor Visa
        • The Student Route Visa
        • When you get your Student Route visa
        • Working during your studies
        • Working after your studies
      • Support for Ukrainian Students
    • Term dates
  • Alumni
    • Alumni
    • #RCSAlumni
    • Alumni benefits
    • Alumni news
    • Shop
    • Get in touch
  • Support Us
    • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Ways To Support
      • Support a scholarship
      • Dedicate a seat
      • Join the Company of Donors
      • Leave a legacy
    • Scholarship Funds
      • James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
      • Pauline Knowles Scholarship
      • Sam Heughan Scholarship
      • Sponsor an individual
      • Pamella Dow Scholarship Fund
  • What's On
    • What's On
    • Box Office
      • col1
      • Box Office
      • col2
      • RCS Shop
    • Conferences
    • Graduation
    • Newsroom
    • Blog
    • Review Magazine
  • Study
    Study Pages:
    Undergraduate programmes
    Postgraduate programmes
    Doctoral degrees
    Children and young people
    Adults
    Fair Access
    Staff A-Z
    Courses A-Z
    Dance
    BA Modern Ballet
    Professional Graduate Diploma in Modern Ballet
    Drama
    BA Acting
    BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice
    BA Musical Theatre
    BA Performance in British Sign Language and English
    Professional Graduate Diploma in Musical Directing
    Music
    Bachelor of Music (Honours)
    Bachelor of Music (Honours)
    Brass
    Composition
    Guitar and Harp
    Jazz
    Keyboard
    Strings
    Timpani and Percussion
    Traditional Music
    Traditional Music: Piping
    Vocal Performance
    Woodwind
    Education
    Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours
    Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Music)
    Production
    BA Production Arts and Design
    BA Production Technology and Management
    Film
    BA Filmmaking
    Drama
    MA Musical Theatre: Performance
    MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing
    MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text
    Music
    Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music
    Artist Diploma
    MA Psychology in the Arts (Music)
    MMus/MA
    MMus/MA
    Brass
    Chamber Music
    Composition
    Conducting
    Guitar and Harp
    Historically Informed Performance Practice
    Jazz
    Keyboard
    Opera
    Performance Pedagogy
    Piano Accompaniment
    Piano for Dance
    Repetiteurship
    Traditional Music
    Strings
    Timpani and Percussion
    Vocal Performance
    Woodwind
    Education
    Part-time Learning and Teaching Programmes
    Part-time Learning and Teaching Programmes
    MEd in Learning and Teaching in the Arts
    Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in the Arts

    PhD/MPhil

    About Research Knowledge and Exchange

    Doctor of Performing Arts

    Exchange Talks

    Junior Conservatoire.

    Auditioned courses for students aged 1—18

    About us
    About us
    Our patrons
    Junior Open Days
    Contact us
    Audition Terms and Conditions
    Junior Conservatoire - Fraserburgh
    Music
    Early Years Music
    Early Years Music
    Early Years ages 1-4
    Primary Instrumental Programme Wind, Brass and Percussion
    Primary Musicianship and Instrumental Lessons
    Pre-Junior Conservatoire Music (Primary 4 – Primary 7)
    Classical Music
    Traditional Music
    Jazz
    Composition
    Music Centres
    Dance
    Pre-Junior Conservatoire of Dance
    Contemporary Dance
    Modern Ballet
    Production
    Production
    Drama
    Acting
    Musical Theatre
    Young Actors Rep Company
    Young Musical Theatre Company
    Young Theatre Company
    Film
    Film
    Young Companies

    Short Courses.

    Open access courses for students aged 1-18

    About us
    About Short Courses
    Meet the team
    Financial Support
    Student support
    Promotional offers
    Terms and Conditions
    Visit Us
    Music
    All Music Courses
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Dance
    All Dance Courses
    RAD Classes
    Summer Schools
    Production
    All Production Courses
    Short study
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Drama
    All Drama Courses
    Weekly Drama classes for ages 3-17
    Short study
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Film
    All Film Courses
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Traditional Music Graded Exams
    Course Finder
    About Short Courses for Adults
    Adult Short Courses
    Meet the team
    Financial support
    Student support
    Promotional offers
    Terms and Conditions
    Visit Us
    Dance
    All Dance Courses
    Short study
    Weekly Classes
    Summer Schools
    Drama
    All Drama Courses
    Weekly classes
    Short Study
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Music
    All Music Courses
    Short Study
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Production
    All Production Courses
    Short Study
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools
    Film
    All Film Courses
    Weekly Classes
    Audition Preparation
    Summer Schools

    Fair Access

    Find out more about our commitment to fair access to the performing and production arts for all.

    Transitions

    Fully funded training and support for young people living in SIMD 20 Scottish postcode areas and care experienced people living in any postcode.

    Widening Access to the Creative Industries

    This programme works with pupils from 37 FOCUS West schools in the West of Scotland.

    Dumfries House

    Specialist music and dance training offered at Pre-Junior Conservatoire level for children in East Ayrshire.

    Staff A-Z

    Staff A-Z

    Courses A-Z

    Courses A-Z

  • Research
    Research Pages:
    Welcome to Research and KE at RCS
    Doctoral degrees
    Staff research
    Knowledge Exchange
    Exchange Talks
    Welcome to Research and KE at RCS

    Welcome to Research and KE at RCS

    PhD/MPhil

    About Research Knowledge and Exchange

    Doctor of Performing Arts

    Exchange Talks

    Staff research

    Staff research

    Knowledge Exchange

    Knowledge Exchange

    Exchange Talks

    Exchange Talks

  • Why RCS?
    Why RCS? Pages:
    Like Nowhere Else
    Learn from the best
    Collaboration
    Performance
    Campus and facilities
    Glasgow
    Vision and governance

    Welcome from the Principal

    Our history

    World leading

    Graduate employment

    Staff A-Z

    Supporting you

    Professional Partnerships

    Students’ Union

    Bridge Week

    Performance

    Options Modules

    Centre for Voice in Performance

    International opportunities

    Edinburgh Festivals

    Industry showcases

    Perform with our Partners

    Performance venues
    Stevenson Hall
    The New Athenaeum Theatre
    Ledger Recital Room
    Alexander Gibson Opera Studio
    The Chandler Studio Theatre
    Production facilities
    Wardrobe
    Paintshop and scenic art
    Design studios
    Props
    Construction workshop
    Stage Technologies
    Recording studios
    Electroacoustic labs
    Learning and teaching rooms
    Fyfe Lecture Theatre
    Dance and gyrotronic studios
    Drama rehearsal rooms
    Music practice rooms
    Whittaker Library and IT
    E-Journals
    Electronic Resources
    IT Suite
    IT Facilities
    Archives and Collections
    Our archive
    Archive Anniversary - 10 in 10
    Instrument collections
    Music manuscript collections
    Performers and research collections
    Cafe
    Jack Bruce Space
    Accommodation
    Base Glasgow
    Private accommodation
    Take our virtual tour

    Culture and nightlife

    Food and drink

    Arts

    Scotland and Edinburgh

    Strategic Plan

    Accounts

    Governance

    Equality and diversity

  • Apply
    Apply Pages:
    How to apply
    Visit us
    Finance
    International Exchange and Study Abroad
    International Students
    Term dates

    Apply for Drama and Dance programmes

    Apply for Music programmes

    Apply for Production and Film programmes

    Apply for Research programmes

    Apply for Learning and Teaching programmes

    Find us

    Open days & admissions events

    Book a tour

    Advice lessons

    Fees and funding

    Scholarships

    International Partners

    Outbound Exchange Students

    Inbound Exchange Students

    Staff Exchange

    International Students

    English requirements

    Visas

    Support for Ukrainian Students

    Term dates

    Term dates

  • Alumni
    Alumni Pages:
    #RCSAlumni
    Alumni benefits
    Alumni news
    Shop
    Get in touch
    #RCSAlumni

    #RCSAlumni

    Alumni benefits

    Alumni benefits

    Alumni news

    Alumni news

    Shop

    Shop

    Get in touch

    Get in touch

  • Support Us
    Support Us Pages:
    Donate
    Ways To Support
    Scholarship Funds
    Donate

    Donate

    Support a scholarship

    Support a scholarship

    Dedicate a seat

    Join the Company of Donors

    Leave a legacy

    James McAvoy Drama Scholarships

    Pauline Knowles Scholarship

    Sam Heughan Scholarship

    Sponsor an individual

    Pamella Dow Scholarship Fund

  • What's On
    What's On Pages:
    Box Office
    Conferences
    Graduation
    Newsroom
    Blog
    Review Magazine

    Box Office

    RCS Shop

    Conferences

    Conferences

    Graduation

    Graduation

    Newsroom

    Newsroom

    Blog

    Blog

    Review Magazine

    Review Magazine

  • RCS At Home
  • Search

Woodwind

Apply now
Home
  • Undergraduate programmes
  • Woodwind
UK and International application deadline:
3 October 2022
US application deadline:
3 October 2022
Institution code:
R58
Audition fee:
£65
Application fee:
£26.50
Download Programme brochure
Introduction
Programme structure
Why choose us?
Facilities
Graduate destinations
Fees and scholarships
Entry requirements
Auditions
Woodwind staff
Masterclasses and visiting artists
Competitions and prizes
Alumni profiles
Woodwind department collaborations
Chamber Music
Introducing Nicolas Baldeyrou
How to apply

Introduction

Our audition content is being updated for entry in September 2023 and will be shared soon, if you have any questions in the meantime please e-mail admissions@rcs.ac.uk.

Head of Woodwind, Heather Nicoll DRSAMD MA

The Woodwind department has an international reputation for developing leading musicians. Our team of dedicated staff includes many of Britain’s finest woodwind players, with world-class reputations as soloists, orchestral, and chamber musicians. The department delivers an intensive and dynamic training and provides a supportive and collaborative environment to talented musicians from all over the world. Through our extensive one-to-one specialist care and invaluable performance exposure, the department ensures a challenging and inspiring environment to promote excellence.

Every student receives a one-to-one lesson per week on their principal study. Weekly tuition is enhanced by visits from distinguished guest artists from across the globe.

As a Woodwind student, you will benefit from a diverse range of performance opportunities. Symphony, chamber and wind orchestra performances, opera productions, wind ensembles and chamber experiences are central to your education.

Our prestigious ensemble, Stevenson Winds, affords yet more high profile performance opportunities for you to perform alongside top professional players.

Weekly performance, technique and repertoire classes take place in our professional recital venues providing the ideal environment for your development, and professional accompanists are available to you throughout your studies.

Programme structure

BMus – Woodwind

Our BMus Programme is a four year course designed to promote excellence in your chosen specialism.

Years 1 – 4

One-to-one tuition

At the heart of the programme our students receive an intensive training in a 1-2-1 teaching capacity. All BMus woodwind students receive principal study lessons, and additional lessons are available on both a related instrument and second study of choice.

1-2-1 teaching is further contextualised through the departmental supporting studies programme. Woodwind activities comprise the core 1-2-1 lessons, performance, repertoire and technique classes, (reed-making if relevant), chamber music collaborations, orchestral and operatic productions, ensemble work and masterclasses.

Valuable performance experience is central to our training and students across all years of the programme benefit from the vast performance opportunities from the off. A unique strand in our programme is the huge amount of performance collaborations with professional artists. Students performing alongside their tutors or visiting artists is common place in the Woodwind Department (please see our departmental introduction and masterclasses for more details).

All BMus woodwind students are assessed in their principal discipline (and related instrument where relevant) by way of two main examinations:

Technical Examination: Year 1 — 3 students present a study, scales (with specified discipline requirements) and orchestral excerpts.

The Year 4 technical examination takes the form of an orchestral audition and students present an unaccompanied recital work, orchestral excerpts and are given sight-reading.

The specialist technique classes delivered regularly throughout the programme by our expert staff are in addition to both the 1-2-1 tuition and masterclasses. They offer added valuable training in developing technique.

Recital: Year 1 — 4 students present a programme of varied repertoire(recitals in year 3 & 4 are public).

Weekly rehearsal sessions with our professional accompanist Scott Mitchell are available for Woodwind students, and regular performance classes in our main recital venues provide students with excellent support in preparing their end of year recitals.

The BMus programme promotes RCS students as autonomous and creative learners and there is choice and flexibility built in to its design to allow students to tailor their training to support their personal ambitions.

In addition to the core performance activities and assessments, Woodwind students can choose further assessment routes from a performance folio:

Orchestral/Ensemble Performance            assessed in a public orchestral /ensemble performance

(Available for Years 1 — 4)

Chamber Performance                                        assessed in a public performance

Available for Years 1 — 4)

Studio Recording                                                      assessed in a studio CD recording comprising repertoire appropriate to the                                                                                                          specialisms of the student. The student is responsible for the packaging of their                                                                                                    CD (should include a promotional sleeve & programme notes.

                                                                                               (Available for Year 3 and 4)

Lecture Recital                                                 assessed in a lecture- recital on a relevant specialist subject

                                                                                      (Available for Year 3 and 4)

New Work                                                          assessed in a performance or studio recording of a new work and viva examination on                                                                                  the collaborative process with the composer. *

                                                                                 (Available for Year 3 and 4)

Concerto                                                             assessed in a concerto performance. Enviable concerto opportunities are available                                                                                          with the BBC SSO, RSNO and RCS Symphony Orchestra (selection by audition).

                                                                                     (Available for Year 3 and 4)

* Students with a passion and aptitude for contemporary performance may wish to work intensively with a student from our composition department to create a new composition for their instrument. Our prestigious contemporary festival ‘PLUG’ offers a public platform to showcase new works.

Why choose us?

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is in the World Top 10 for performing arts education 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (QS World Rankings)
  • Diverse and unique performances within RCS and externally with Scotland’s major orchestras and ensembles. Opportunities include radio broadcasts, orchestral tours, educational projects and collaborative performances
  • A one-to-one lesson on your principal study per week
  • A rich programme of masterclasses, chamber coaching and side-by-side performances offer our students a fantastic collaborative and tailored experience with each guest musician
  • Performance opportunities alongside professional musicians in our Mondays and Fridays at 1 concert series
  • A professional accompanist is provided for students throughout their training. Weekly rehearsal sessions with Scott Mitchell are available in preparation for performance classes, competitions and examinations.
  • Work with elite wind ensemble, Stevenson Winds, and receive intensive coaching with its expert players
  • National and international performing opportunities; students previously toured India with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and annually perform side-by-side with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Winds in a series of live concerts
  • Facilities include the David Nicholson Room, a dedicated space for flautists to rehearse and practice, and a double reed room, filled with reed-making equipment for this specialist art
  • 97% of undergraduate respondents from the School of Music are in employment or further study (HESA, 15/16)

Facilities

  • Weekly performance, technique and repertoire classes take place in our world-class recital venues providing the ideal environment for your development.
  • A dedicated reed-making room houses the highest quality specialist reed-making equipment.
  • Exclusive use of the David Nicholson Room provides flautists with a dedicated rehearsal and practice space.
  • The RCS possesses, for student use, a wide-ranging and extensive collection of specialist ancillary instruments for both modern and period performance.
  • State of the art studios provide our students with professional recording performance experience. Recent Woodwind Department CD’s are available from our box office.

Graduate destinations

Royal Conservatoire Woodwind alumni occupy positions in numerous prestigious orchestras and ensembles worldwide.

Our alumni make an impact across the wide range of specialist areas in the music profession such as education, arts administration, composition, conducting, arranging, research & psychology.

Many graduates are influential tutors in Conservatoire training; specialist, private and local authorities schools; and in leading arts projects and organisations devoted to widening access and participation in music.

Jo Ashcroft & Victoria Lopez Senior Musician & Woodwind Tutor respectively, Big Noise, Sistema Scotland

Alan Bacchetti  Head of Wind, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools

Graeme Brown BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Principal Bassoon No.2 & RCS Tutor

Jay Capperauld Composer & Saxophonist

Gemma Carlin Music Ensembles Manager, RCS

Richard Craig Contemporary Artist & Researcher

Rachel Drury Researcher & Educator

Peter Dykes Royal Scottish National Orchestra associate principal oboe & RCS Tutor

Lindsey Ellis BBC National Orchestra of Wales principal piccolo

Robert Fairley Orchestra of Scottish Ballet principal clarinet

Konrad Fiszer Opera Nova w Bydgoszczy  flute and piccolo

Lawrence Gill Orchestra of Scottish Opera clarinet & RCS Tutor

Fraser Gordon Royal Philharmonic Orchestra principal contra bassoon

Alison Green Scottish Chamber Orchestra bassoon & RCS Tutor

John Hall BBC National Orchestra of Wales flute

Michael Hallit  Macau Orchestra former principal piccolo

Samuel Hernandez Avila Tenerife Symphony Orchestra clarinet

Lee Holland Freelance Musician & Performance Coach

Gillian Horn Freelance Musician & Arranger

Jennifer Hutchinson BBC Philharmonic Orchestra principal piccolo

Mary James Orchestra of Scottish Ballet oboe

Fraser Langton BBC Philharmonic Orchestra clarinet

Janet Laird Orchestra of Scottish Ballet clarinet

Stewart MacIlwham Royal Philharmonic Orchestra principal piccolo

Michelle McCabe  Orchestra of Scottish Ballet flute

Catriona McKinnon Welsh National Opera principal oboe

Kate McDermott Gothenburg Opera co-principal clarinet

John McDougall BBC Concert Orchestra principal bassoon

Lorna McGhee International soloist & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra principal flute

Chris McShane Orchestra Accademia China bassoon

Ruth Morley Scottish Flute Trio/ Red Note Ensemble flute & RCS Tutor

Sinziana Mugea National Radio Orchestra of Romania sub principal oboe and cor anglais

Heather Nicoll Head of Woodwind, RCS

Heather North Scottish Opera, Orchestra Co-ordinator

Andrew Nunn – Choral Conductor

Paul Rissmann Animateur & Composer 

John Roberts Royal Philharmonic Orchestra principal oboe & RCS Visiting Artist

Ewan Robertson Orchestra of Scottish Opera flute & RCS Tutor

Lorraine Robertson L’ensemble Orchestral du Loir et Cher principal flute

Matthew Rogers Conductor & Composer

Ian Scott Royal Ballet Sinfonia principal clarinet

June Scott Philharmonia Orchestra flute

Jennifer Stephenson Freelance Musician & Woodwind Co-ordinator, RCS

Kathleen Stevenson BBC Symphony Orchestra principal piccolo

Kenny Sturgeon BBC Philharmonic Orchestra oboe

Ryan Sullivan Head of Primary Music in Doha College

Sarah Turner Gran Teatre Del Liceu Orchestra, Barcelona former oboe

Russell Tyler Orquestra do Norte, Portugal principal oboe

Thomas Voelcker Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra former principal piccolo

 

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2022-23

Scottish Students

£1,820

Rest of UK (RUK) Students

£9,250

International (including EU)

£19,314

 

From 21/22 academic year all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.

Scottish 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 the SAAS 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.

EU Students

The Royal Conservatoire is resolutely international in outlook and we celebrate and are enriched by the diversity of our community of students and staff. Students from across the globe are welcome and valued members of the RCS community and we continue to welcome applicants from across the EU and throughout the world.

Q: What is the fee situation for EU students?

A: On July 9 2020, Scotland’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead announced changes to the fee regime for EU students studying in Scotland. From 2021/22, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.

Q: I’m an EU student looking to start my studies in 2022-23. How does this impact me?

A: From 2021/22, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.

Only EU nationals who are ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ in the UK will remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees providing they meet the residency conditions.

Other EU nationals and associated groups, starting a course of study in academic year 2021-22 or later, are not eligible to apply to SAAS for tuition fee support.

Because of a long-standing agreement between the UK and Republic of Ireland, new students from the Republic of Ireland starting their studies in 2022-23 will be eligible to pay the rest of UK (RUK) fee and will be able to access a tuition fee loan from SAAS.

Please also see the SAAS website for more information.

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 on our Fees and Funding page.

Sources of external funding

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

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.

Cost of Living and Associated Programme Costs 

Investing in your future is important and you need to consider the cost of your tuition as well as the cost of living during your studies. In addition to tuition fees, it is estimated that you will need between £10,000 and £12,000 per year to live in Glasgow, plus programme costs. Associated programme costs can be found here.

Entry requirements

Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.

In arriving at its recommendation, 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

General Academic entrance 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
  • Recognised equivalences (EU and International Entry Requirements)

We welcome the Scottish Baccalaureate and will accept combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers.

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

Subjects recommended

Within the minimum academic entrance requirements listed above, the subject recommended are:

  • Music at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or equivalent
  • English at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or equivalent

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 School of Music in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained Grade 8 with distinction, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached this standard in their performance.

Language of Study

The language of study is English. Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music.

Direct Entry

Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. If you wish to apply for direct entry, please mark the point of entry on UCAS Conservatoires application as 2 or 3.

Non-standard Entry

We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.

*Note that UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) imposes minimum English Language qualifications in respect of international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK.

Mature Students

RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications. Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.

 

 

Auditions

All auditions are planned to take place in-person at our campus in Glasgow in November 2022.  Should you apply on time, you will be e-mailed directly with details of your audition date and time, and your UCAS Conservatoires track will be updated with this information.

International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd. For those submitting a recording, the deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below:

UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline
Applicants 3 October 2022 17 October 2022

 

Recording Guidelines:

  • When setting up for your video recording, your body (typically, from about the waist up) and instrument should be the focal point of the frame. The committee wants to be able to see not just your face but how well you navigate your instrument.
  • The video recording should be provided in ONE continuous shot without separate tracks for different musical pieces.
  • Please begin the recording by introducing yourself to camera and stating what you will be performing. You can take a little time between pieces so long as your body must remain in the frame.
  • For any pieces that were written for your instrument and piano accompaniment, you are encouraged to perform with piano accompaniment (whether live or pre-recorded) if practical for you. Be assured, however, that if this is not possible for you, then you will not be disadvantaged in any way.

For more information on recording a video audition, Guitar Lecturer Matthew McCallister reveals his top tips on recording your music audition online below:

All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition or recorded submission via UCAS Conservatoires track (you will need your username and password). We aim to post outcomes before Christmas.

Details of the repertoire requested for your in-person audition/recorded submission can be found below. Please note, all repertoire listed below is suggested repertoire only.  You may choose to play a contrasting programme of your own choice.

Flute

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • J S Bach — Sonata No. 6 in E, 1st and 2nd movements
  • Enesco — Cantabile et Presto
  • Martinu — Sonata, 1st movement
  • Prokofiev — Sonata No. 2, Op.94, 1st or 2nd movement
  • C P E Bach — Hamburger Sonata, either movement
  • Rhene-Baton — Passacaille

Oboe

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • Britten — Six metamorphoses after Ovid, any two movements
  • Dutilleux — Sonata
  • Grovlez — Sarabande and Allegro
  • Handel — Fitzwilliam Sonata in Bb major, any two movements
  • Poulenc — Sonata, any one movement
  • Saint-Saëns — Sonata in D, any one movement

Tenor Saxophone

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • Fiocco — (arr. Bazelaire, trans. Londeix) Concerto, 1st movement only
  • Handel — (arr. Londeix) Sonata in G minor, Op.1 No. 6, complete
  • Villa Lobos — Fantasia for [soprano or] tenor saxophone, 1st movement
  • Marcello — (arr. Joosen) Concerto in C minor, complete
  • F Martin — Ballade (1940) for [trombone or] tenor saxophone
  • Burnet Tuthill — Sonata, Op. 56, 2nd and 3rd movements

Alto Saxophone

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • J S Bach — Sonata No. 4, 1st and (arr. Mule) 2nd movements
  • Paul Bonneau — Suite, complete
  • Jolivet — Fantaisie-Impromptu
  • Koechlin — Étude No. 1 from 15 Études
  • Paul Maurice — Tableaux de Provence, 1st and 2nd movements
  • Phil Woods — Sonata, 1st and 2nd movements

Bassoon

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • Grovlez Sicilienne and Allegro giocoso
  • Pauer Concerto, 1st movement
  • Pierne Solo de Concert Op.35
  • Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, F.VIII No. 2, 1st movement
  • Weber Concerto, 1st movement
  • Mozart Concerto, 1st or 3rd movement
  • A Baroque Sonata of the candidate’s choice

Clarinet

Performance of two contrasting pieces; suggested repertoire below:

  • Arnold Sonatina, 1st or 3rd movement
  • L Bernstein Sonata (either movement)
  • Milhaud Duo Concertante
  • Poulenc Sonata (any movement)
  • Stravinsky Three (any movement)
  • Weber Concerto No. 1 in F, 1st or 3rd movement
  • Messager Solo de Concours

 

How to Apply

Apply via UCAS conservatoires

Applications are made through UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system. If you wish to apply to conservatoires and universities within UCAS, you will need to register for both services. There is a UCAS application fee of £26.50 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.

To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read the UCAS Conservatoires’ advice on completing the UCAS Conservatoires application. If you need assistance with your application, you can contact UCAS Conservatoires team by telephoning (Monday to Friday, 8.30 — 18.00). Phone 0371 468 0470 from within the UK or +44 330 3330 232 if you are calling from overseas.

Application deadline date

The deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below –

UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline
Applicants 3 October 2022 17 October 2022

If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that your application/audition recording will be reviewed by the audition panel. If you do want to submit a late application, you must contact admissions@rcs.ac.uk in the first instance to check we are accepting late applications. Late applications will be considered on a case by case basis and may not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2024, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58.

BMus (Hons) Performance: 300F

Joint Principal Study (Hons): 301F

Book an advice lesson with one of our Music tutors

An advice lesson gives you the chance to experience having a lesson at the Conservatoire and provides a great opportunity for you to gain some expert advice and insight. Advice lessons normally take place from late August to early October and are dependent on staff availability. Book your advice lesson here or e-mail our team for further information at hello@rcs.ac.uk.

Application fee

There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £26.50. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition assessment administration fee. For RCS, the audition assessment administration fee is £65 per programme applied for. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS.

Audition Assessment Administration fee

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition assessment administration fee of £65 per course.

We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition assessment administration fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you to get in touch to ask the panel questions and find out more about the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to see if it is the best place for you.

We are committed to ensuring fair access to a conservatoire education for students who have the talent and potential to benefit from it, regardless of their background. In support of this, audition fee waivers are offered to applicants whom financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please see the audition fee waivers document for more information.

References

It is your responsibility to ask two separate referees to write references and ensure that these are sent to RCS.

The references must be written by two different people and we will not accept references from family, other relatives or close friends. You can submit your UCAS Conservatoires application form and send your references at a later date, but they must be received prior to your audition date.

UCAS Conservatoires provides reference forms for you to download and send to your referees for completion.

Entrance requirements

Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.

In arriving at its recommendation, 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

General Academic entrance 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
  • Recognised equivalences (EU and International Entry Requirements)

We welcome the Scottish Baccalaureate and will accept combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers.

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

Subjects recommended

Within the minimum academic entrance requirements listed above, the subject recommended are:

  • Music at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or equivalent
  • English at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or equivalent

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 School of Music in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained Grade 8 with distinction, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached this standard in their performance.

Language of Study

The language of study is English. Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music.

Direct Entry

Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. If you wish to apply for direct entry, please mark the point of entry on UCAS Conservatoires application as 2 or 3.

Non-standard Entry

We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such ap