AN OVERVIEW

The Opera School is led by Head of Opera, Philip White. The school is also supported by Professor Stephen Robertson, a vocal pedagogue, and Opera lecturers Mark Hathaway and Duncan Williams.

The department is a relatively small one, with 20-25 students over the two-year course, so all students receive a great deal of individual attention.

The RCS Opera and Vocal Performance Departments are made up of experienced and distinguished teachers and practitioners, and a wide range of visiting coaches, conductors, directors and guest artists provide a constant source of external stimuli.

A varied programme of performance takes place throughout the year.  The first year comprises two sets of Opera Scenes and a set of Acting Scenes, allowing students to experience different repertoire and styles, and to discover their own strengths and weaknesses.

The second-year productions explore chamber opera repertoire along with the full-scale productions in the New Athenaeum Theatre. They provide opportunities to perform and collaborate with artists from across the RCS and with visiting directors and conductors.

Additionally, we maintain close links with Scottish Opera and Grange Park Opera. Professional agents and opera companies are frequent visitors, ensuring the Opera School is a busy and vibrant place to learn.

 

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Institution Code:

R58

Programme Code:

851F

UK Deadline:

3 October 2022

International Deadline:

1 December 2022

Programme Structure

The RCS Opera Course was recently restructured to acknowledge the ever-increasing expectation from the industry that opera singers be acting singers and singing actors.  Above all, it seeks to recognise that Opera is 50% singing and 50% acting. We aim to set out a well-defined pathway for our students with clear goals along the route.  It does not mark the end of years of vocal training, rather it opens the door to a whole new world that is now accessible to those who can meet its demands.

The first year is dedicated to acquiring and improving on a basic skill set, creating a safe environment to encourage self-expression, consolidating vocal technique and honing the craft of auditioning. The second allows students to participate in at least two of three annual opera productions. These are placed in terms one and two allowing graduating students to easily participate in any summer festival productions in term 3.

Much of the training is catered to the individual. In addition to weekly vocal lessons and coachings, we also provide individual language tutors in Italian, French and German repertoire (Russian and Czech can also be accommodated). In year 1 there are weekly acting classes throughout the year which organically evolve into production rehearsals, also supported by a class in physical performance. This thread of the course is supported by having the internationally renowned opera director, Keith Warner, as our Associate Artist, who works specifically on the second set of Scenes. We also recognise the importance of audition technique and engage people from within the RCS and in the industry, both in the UK and abroad, to give their insights into what makes the perfect audition candidate. The RCS shares a close relationship with Scottish Opera and has collaborated on a project annually since 2004, with performances in professional external venues in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Repertoire is very wide-ranging. It is chosen around the strengths of the students and seeks to engage the students with its content in seeking to expand their vocabulary in terms of vocal technique and stagecraft ability. Its suitability for that purpose has explored the very early (Monteverdi, Cavalli), mainstream (Rossini, Donizetti, Massenet, Bizet, Puccini, Tchaikovsky), a rich vein of 20th century repertoire (Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Britten, Weill) to contemporary works by Jonathan Dove, Judith Weir, Philip Glass and the UK staged premiere of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking in 2019.

We regularly invite guests to RCS to work with students to advise on current industry requirements, with students participating in mock auditions and receiving feedback on their performance and CVs.

Recent guests include Christian Curnyn, Matthew Waldren, Lionel Friend, Anthony Kraus, James Holmes, John Butt,  and directors James Bonas, Jack Furness, Caroline Clegg, Jamie Manton, Maxine Braham, Olivia Fuchs, William Relton, Ashley Dean, Harry Fehr, Matthew Eberhardt, Stephen Lawless and Julia Hollander.

 

The primary focus of your learning will be the Principal Study. This core activity — and in particular, the individual lesson — will refine the skills essential to meeting the artistic and technical expectations of the programme. It will equip you with many of the skills needed to exercise independent learning and develop the autonomy necessary for a professional career.

In the case of the degrees in Performance, and Historically Informed Performance Practice, the Principal Study is your instrumental or vocal discipline; for the degrees in Opera, Conducting, Repetiteurship, Piano for Dance, and Accompaniment, it refers to the full range of skills associated with those roles, including high-level performance skills.

Principal Study 1 — 80 SCQF credits

Supporting Studies 1 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits

Practice Research — 10 SCQF credits

Supporting Studies

Supporting Studies incorporates many of the distinctive features of conservatoire study, and contributes towards the creation of a near-professional learning environment. In this module, you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of negotiated activities in supporting both of your Principal Study and your development as an emerging professional.

The emphasis is on working with your peers, whether through the presentation of performance classes or collaborative activities such as chamber music, orchestra or ensemble work. The module also incorporates a series of cohort-wide graduate seminars, addressing such areas as research skills, critical thinking, professional development, reflective practice, health and wellbeing, and equality and diversity.

Practice Research

This module challenges you to examine critically an aspect of your arts practice by means of an individually-negotiated portfolio of research, reflection and/or documentation. Over the course of your studies, with the support of a supervisor, you will assemble a portfolio of documentation and reflective writing that interrogates a self-chosen research focus and communicates your findings.

The primary focus of your learning will be the Principal Study. This core activity — and in particular, the individual lesson — will refine the skills essential to meeting the artistic and technical expectations of the programme. It will equip you with many of the skills needed to exercise independent learning and develop the autonomy necessary for a professional career. In the case of the degrees in Performance, and Historically Informed Performance Practice, the Principal Study is your instrumental or vocal discipline; for the degrees in Opera, Conducting, Repetiteurship, Piano for Dance, and Accompaniment, it refers to the full range of skills associated with those roles, including high-level performance skills.

Principal Study 2 — 90 SCQF credits

Supporting Studies 2 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits

Supporting Studies

Supporting Studies incorporates many of the distinctive features of conservatoire study, and contributes towards the creation of a near-professional learning environment. In this module, you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of negotiated activities in supporting both of your Principal Study and your development as an emerging professional.

The emphasis is on working with your peers, whether through the presentation of performance classes or collaborative activities such as chamber music, orchestra or ensemble work. The module also incorporates a series of cohort-wide graduate seminars, addressing such areas as research skills, critical thinking, professional development, reflective practice, health and wellbeing, and equality and diversity.

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is consistently ranked in the World Top 10 for performing arts education (QS World Rankings 2023)

  • We have a close relationship with Scottish Opera, with students participating in workshops and collaborative projects, as well as accessing dress rehearsals throughout the year; many graduates have progressed to join Scottish Opera’s prestigious Emerging Artists programme
  • A session of one-to-one vocal tuition per week
  • Acting classes throughout your studies which lead to two sets of Opera Scenes and a set of Acting Scenes
  • Intensive audition preparation where you will grow confident in auditioning for companies across the world
  • Regular one-to-one coaching sessions
  • Two fully-staged operas plus one chamber opera
  • All first-year Opera students partake in a Role Study
  • Frequent visits from professional companies and agents including Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Scottish Opera, Bayreuth Festival, Garsington Opera, Clonter Opera, Berlin Opera Academy, British Youth Opera and Grange Park Opera
  • Links with the Royal Opera House, giving you access to stage rehearsals, workshops and coaching opportunities
  • Excellent record of student successes at international competitions including Cardiff Singer of the World, the Neue Stimmen and Clonter Opera prize
  • Opportunity to learn from guest coaches and directors from all over Europe; recent guests include Seann Alderking, David Cowan, Joyce Fieldsend, Matteo Dalle Fratte, Gerhard Gall, David Gowland, Anthony Negus, Sonja Nerdrum, Rachel Nicholls, Ingrid Surgenor, Jonathon Swinard, Steven Maughan and Anthony Legge

A Campus Built For The Performing Arts

Explore the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in our 360 virtual tour. You’ll be able to see our rehearsal and practice rooms, professional performance venues, production workshops, editing suite, ballet studios and more.

Latest Opera Performances

Meet the Staff

Philip White

Head of Opera

Keith Warner

Associate Artist

Mark Hathaway

Lecturer in Acting

Duncan Williams

Vocal Coach

Additional Staff

Supporting Staff

Mark Hathaway
Lecturer (Acting)

Duncan Williams
Vocal Coach

Vocal Tutors
Coaches
Language Coaches
  • Professor Christopher Underwood – French
  • Héloïse Bernard – French
  • Sonja Nerdrum – French
  • Geoffrey Tanti – Italian
  • Matteo Dalle Fratte – Italian
  • Helen Lawson – German
  • Gerhard Gall – German
  • Katia Riek – German
Masterclasses

All students can attend and take part in masterclasses as appropriate. Recent masterclasses include Susan Bullock CBE, Karen Cargill, Simon Keenlyside, Sir Thomas Allen, John Treleaven, Malcolm Martineau, Rosalind Plowright, Roderick Williams, Jane Eaglen, Christine Brewer, Chris Purves, Giselle Allen, John Graham-Hall and Nicky Spence.

Many of these not only give the oft-encountered three-hour public format but also give coaching sessions and teaching in closed situations where students can really feel that they can risk trying a new challenge. Many of our masterclass givers return more than once to further pursue the work which they have previously begun.

Graduate Destinations

Since the inception of the MMus Opera programme in 1994, students have come from all over the world to study in Glasgow and, of course, many have since forged international careers and are therefore now to be found singing on the international opera stage. The most common immediate destinations are:

  • Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Programme
  • Opera Studios/Young Artist Programmes in Europe (Strasbourg, Berlin, Zurich, Munich)
  • Equivalent UK-based destinations ie The National Opera Studio/Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Recent graduates have been offered places on the Covent Garden Jette Parker scheme, the National Opera Studio, the Welsh International Academy of Voice, the International Opera Studio Staatsoper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival Young Singers Project, Opera Studio Bregenz Festival, the Verbier Academy, as well as contracts in fully professional houses including the Royal Opera House, Staatsoper Berlin, Deutsche Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera and Royal Opera Den Norske.

Graduate Catriona Morison won the Cardiff Singer of the World Main Prize and Joint Song Prize (2017).

Recent graduate and winner of the Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition (2017), Svetlina Stoyanva, has made her debut at the Vienna State Opera and La Scala Milan within three years of graduating.

Anush Hovannisyan (pictured right) has recently made her debut as Musetta at Covent Garden.

Multiple graduates have been involved in the Scottish Opera Emerging Artists programme, including Arthur Bruce, Mark Nathan and Charlie Drummond.

Lauren Young is performing in English National Opera’s 2021 performance of Wagner’s The Valkyrie.

Meet the MMUS OPERA: CLASS OF 2022

Ascelina Klee

Mezzo-Soprano

Claudia Haussman

Soprano

Tamsin Birch

Soprano

Charlotte Richardson

Soprano

Cameron Mitchell

Tenor

Elena Garrido Madrona

Soprano

Matthew Paine

Countertenor

Jonathan Forbes Kennedy

Baritone

Toki Hamano

Baritone

Mark Bonney

Tenor

Lindsay Grace Johnson

Mezzo-Soprano

Matthew Gibson

Repetiteur

Amy Strachan

Soprano

The Student Experience

We spoke to our students to find out about their experience on the MMus/MA Opera course and how it helped to prepare them to make the transition from education to the professional world of opera.

Entry Requirements

Admissions Process

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.rnrnIn 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 Entry Requirements

Candidates for both the MMus and MA are normally expected to hold a good honours (at least 2:2) degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.

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.

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.rnrn*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.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply on 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 1st Round  Audition Recording Deadline
UK Applicants 3rd October 2022 17th October 2022
International Applicants 1st December 2022 1st December 2022

International student applicants

We are aware that international students, particularly those coming from the USA, may struggle with the UCAS deadline. As a consequence, we have set an additional deadline of 1st December 2022 for international students.

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.

MMus Performance (2 years) – 890F

MA Performance (1 year) – 801F

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

Academic Entry Requirements

Candidates for both the MMus and MA are normally expected to hold a good honours (at least 2:2) degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.

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.

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.

 

Selection Process

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.

Please note that the Conservatoire is obliged to offer one audition date per application. If you are unable to submit your application/audition recording by the deadline date above, you must email us immediately stating the reason. We have a specific period allocation to audition and all on time applications will receive a decision before Christmas. If your audition recording is delayed, there is a risk that places will already have been taken and your application may not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation.

Audition

All recall auditions are planned to take place in-person at our campus in Glasgow in December 2022.  Should you apply on time, and be recalled, 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.

All applicants are asked submit an initial  recorded submission via Acceptd. The deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below:

  UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline  1st Round Audition Recording Deadline
UK Applicants 3rd October 2022 17th October 2022
International Applicants 1st December 2022 1st