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Performance Opportunities

While studying at the Academy, students enjoy a wide range of performance opportunities to help prepare for the demands of professional life. The specialist concerts office organises a diverse series of performances at the Academy. High profile external concerts include a series at Wigmore Hall, tours and many festival appearances. Please turn to p.09 to read about the diverse concerts promoted by the Academy, and see www.ram.ac.uk/events for forthcoming public performances.

External bookings

The Academy secures many bookings for students to give them the opportunity to gain work experience outside the Academy, thus learning to adopt a professional way of handling and administering paid engagements. These include performances in concert and recital and opportunities, open to everyone, to earn money playing at functions.

Music and Community

As part of its widening participation strategy, the Academy is committed to a number of schemes embracing community projects. ‘Music and Community’ is a compulsory course for third-year undergraduates which provides practical training in diverse musical and social contexts. Postgraduates can opt for the Concert Presentation or Concert Project outreach-based options. See Open Academy, p.41, for more details.

Competitions

The Academy encourages students to participate in competitions, giving opportunities to learn new repertoire as well as to gain experience performing to a critical audience and to the public.

Student Exchanges

The Academy offers a wide range of opportunities for overseas exchanges for both undergraduate and postgraduate students for periods of three months to one academic year. Please ask the Registry staff for information.

‘It was difficult to believe the players were still students. A fine clutch of aspirant singers were all seemingly at ease… It was a terrific evening’
The Stage, March 2003
(The Cunning Little Vixen with Sir Charles Mackerras)


Student Support

Counsellor:
Dani Singer BA, PGDip, MAPC, UKCP registered, BACP accredited

International Students Officer:
George Biddlecombe MA, PhD, GRSM, LRAM, ARCM, ARAM

Dyslexia Tutor:
Paula Bishop-Liebler BA, MMus, LRAM, RSADip

Head of Alexander Technique:
Paul Moore LTCL, MStat

Students’ Union

RAMSU supports a variety of societies, including Tai Chi, yoga, Christian Union, Alexander Technique and football. As well as providing welfare and international representation, the Union holds regular meetings to ensure students can voice their opinions. Students are also represented on all academic policy committees.

Social activities are an essential part of Academy life. As well as packed Freshers and RAG weeks and a legendary summer ball, the SU organises events every two weeks—including themed parties, karaoke, comedy and movie nights.

Academy students have full access to the University of London Union’s superb sports, leisure and social facilities.

Financial Assistance

The Academy is able to assist some students towards the costs of their fees and living expenses. See p.54, and www.ram.ac.uk/scholarships

International Students

The Academy is a truly international community and offers an ‘acclimatisation’ course to selected international students before the beginning of the academic year. See p.54. The innovative one-year
Foundation Programme offers an intensive English Language course together with musical tuition; see p.48.

A handbook for international students is available from the Registry and at www.ram.ac.uk, and the International Students Officer is pleased to give advice.

Careers Advice

Specific careers advice complements the broad-ranging career preparation which is integrated into programmes of study.

Alexander Technique

The Academy has taught Alexander Technique for over 20 years. Students normally receive 20 lessons throughout the year. These one-to-one lessons are intended to be an introduction to the technique and are educational rather than therapeutic. Students learn how to ‘use’ themselves in the best way possible, and thereby function at their best whilst also avoiding injury. Small group sessions are also available for those with previous experience.

Medical Health and Counselling

The Academy works with a broad range of medical specialists and has close links with excellent hospitals as well as with the local Paddington Green Health Centre. Psychology-based music performance classes are offered where possible to help all students to achieve their potential by managing performance nerves. A fully-integrated pastoral team is led by the Counsellor. The Academy also has a Chaplain.

Disability and Special Needs

The Academy has extensive experience of supporting students with disabilities and specific learning differences such as dyslexia. The Disability Advisor provides a confidential service to applicants and students on all matters relating to disability. See www.ram.ac.uk/disabilities for more details.