This book includes a plain text version that is designed for high accessibility. To use this version please follow this link.
Page 36

Conducting (continued)

Conducting Open Day - Contact us for an individual appointment

Colin Metters Hon RAM

(Picture: Photo of Colin Metters)

Colin Metters’ wide experience affords him an enviable reputation across a wide spectrum of the music profession as conductor, orchestral trainer and conducting pedagogue. He has worked with leading symphony orchestras in the UK, and guest-conducted extensively abroad. Metters has an international reputation as a leading pedagogue, and has given master-classes in Germany, Poland, Finland, Australia, Venezuela, Vietnam, China, the USA and Russia. In 1997 he was appointed Music Advisor and Principal Guest Conductor to the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. In 1999, he was awarded the Vietnamese equivalent of the Order of Merit, the first to be made to a British citizen. Professor and Director of Conducting Studies since 1983.

The Course

Established in 1983 under the direction of Colin Metters, the Royal Academy of Music’s postgraduate conducting programme is now internationally recognised as one of the foremost programmes in conductor training.

The course provides a comprehensive and integrated programme over three years, examining what lies behind the art and craft of conducting and the role and responsibilities of the conductor, and seeks a better understanding of the complex relationship that exists between conductor and performers. The course is designed to provide a strong technical foundation, studying laws of cause and effect as they relate to conducting, and to develop the ability to be both self-aware and self-critical in all aspects of the conductor’s craft.

Students have the opportunity to work with varied instrumental ensembles on a regular basis, as well as in orchestral workshops. Selected students conduct performances in the Academy’s official orchestral programme.

Regular classes are held throughout the term under the direction of Colin Metters. Additional master-classes given by visiting guest conductors, who have included Sir Colin Davis, Ilya Musin (St. Petersburg
Conservatoire), Jorma Panula (Sibelius Academy, Helsinki), Claus Peter Flor, Yuri Simonov, Lutz Köhler (Berlin), Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Charles Mackerras, Leonard Slatkin, Kenneth Kiesler (Michigan), Carl Topilow (Cleveland), Gunter Kahlert (Weimar) and Thomas Baldner (Indiana). George Hurst also visits once each term to work with the conductors’ class.

Repertoire over the course is broad-based, the mainstream orchestral and concerto repertoire forming the central core of the curriculum.

The course maintains a strong link with the Composition and Contemporary Music Faculty and the Manson Ensemble, working on established twentieth-century repertoire and on premières of student compositions, the conductors working in direct collaboration with the composers. Students also work with Royal Academy Opera and the Vocal Faculty on various projects and workshops throughout the year, and have the opportunity to work with the Academy’s instrumental ensembles and orchestras.

Additional studies, including aural classes, keyboard skills, transposition and score reading take place regularly throughout the course.

Your Audition (see p.56 for general details)

Auditions take place in London only. Auditions for orchestral (not choral) conductors are held in February/March 2008 for entry in September. Detailed requirements are available from the Registry and at www.ram.ac.uk. The closing date for receipt of applications is 7th January 2008.Whilst non-UK candidates may send a video (UK VHS only) to support their application, there is no shortlisting from video and the entire selection process is through the practical audition.

The Teachers

International Chair of Conducting and Orchestral Studies
Sir Colin Davis CBE, Hon RAM
Colin Metters Hon RAM (Head of Conducting)
George Hurst Hon RAM (Consultant)
Raymond Holden PhD (Contextual Studies in Performance Practice and Performance History)

Conducting Options for other Students

Denise Ham Hon ARAM (Tutor in Undergraduate Conducting)
There is strong provision for both undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to pursue conducting studies but who are not on the postgraduate Conducting course itself.

Undergraduate Conducting
This is designed to equip all second-year students with a basic conducting technique, enabling them to show tempo and some degree of texture and dynamic through gesture.

Conducting Elective
Students should have attained a 2:1 grade in the second-year exam to be eligible for this. However, any second-year student who shows particular ability and wishes to undertake more intensive study may also join the elective class. This course involves study of specific repertoire and baton technique.

Intermediate Level
Acceptance is by audition. Students would normally have completed the elective, but any student in the Academy may audition for this course in order to receive individual tuition.

Recent Graduates’ Successes

Paul Brough, Principal Conductor, Hannover Band.
Richard Farnes, Music Director, Opera North.
Rumon Gamba, Music Director & Principal, Conductor, Reykjavik Symphony Orchestra.
Edward Gardner, Music Director, English National Opera.
Ludovic Morlot, Assistant Conductor, Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Paul Murphy, Principal Conductor, Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Toby Purser, Assistant conductor, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris.
Ilan Volkov, Principal Conductor, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
MartinWest, Musical Director and Principal Conductor, San Francisco Ballet.
MarkWigglesworth, Music Director, Theatre de la Monnaie (Brussells).
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60