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Welcome

Principal – Professor Sir Curtis Price, KBE, AM, PhD, Hon RAM, FKC, FRCM, FRNCM

(Picture: Photo of Sir Curtis Price stood in front of the David Josefowitz Recital Hall)

‘This is one of the great conservatoires of the world, a powerhouse that has produced the great and the famous from Sir Simon Rattle to Sir Elton John’
The Guardian, October 2004

Since 1822, the Royal Academy of Music has produced generations of leading soloists, chamber and orchestral musicians, conductors, singers and composers— versatile and resourceful professionals working at the highest international levels.

However, we have no intention of resting on our laurels: outstanding new teachers are regularly recruited; the curriculum is constantly reviewed and updated, new programmes introduced and the latest technology applied; we try to react quickly to—and to anticipate—changes in the profession. Our facilities have been greatly enhanced in the last few years: we have opened the custom-built David Josefowitz Recital Hall (pictured behind me here) and new rehearsal and teaching rooms in York Gate; we have refurbished the Sir Jack Lyons Theatre; and the York Gate Collections display some of our finest instruments as well as providing a centre for research activities.

The Academy is thoroughly cosmopolitan, proud of the excitement it generates. It is also warm and welcoming, a very happy place in which one studies the whole art of music whilst preparing for the rigours of the profession.

Many prospective students will be faced with choices: university or conservatoire? Which conservatoire? London or elsewhere? I urge you to attend the Academy Open Days, arrange consultation lessons with our professors, talk to current students, get the feel of the place. The Academy, which is already very international in both its teaching staff and student body, is deeply committed to recruiting musicians from the widest possible background and range of interests. We have tried very hard to ensure that this Prospectus accurately reflects what happens at the Academy, but please do come and see for yourself. You will be very welcome.

Professor Sir Curtis Price KBE
Studied at Harvard University, where he received his PhD. Taught at King’s College London from 1981, latterly Head of Department, when he established the Centre for Advanced Performance Studies jointly with the Academy.

Principal of the Academy since 1995, and University of London Professor since 2000. A leading authority on the music of Henry Purcell and historical performance practice, publications include studies of English and Italian music and opera. President of the Royal Musical Association, 1999–2002; Trustee of Musica Britannica and Wigmore Hall; Trustee of the National Sound Archive; Governor of the Purcell School.