Royal Academy of Music welcomes back Academy Clubs for state-educated students

EXCLUSIVE

RAM will host sessions teaching jazz, composition, percussion, theory and musicianship, and will launch a series of more instrumental disciplines from 2022 onwards. The workshops are free, and are designed to broaden the horizons of students, encouraging them to explore conservatoire study at junior and degree levels.

Students attending the sessions will be recommended to the school from local music hubs and secondary schools, with pupils joining from the boroughs of Waltham Forest, Haringey, Brent and Newham.

Since the launch of the Academy Clubs, students have progressed to RAM’s Junior Jazz, Junior Academy and undergraduate composition programmes. Jazz and Composers’ Clubs will continue for their second year, welcoming budding percussionists – some of whom will be using instruments for the first time.

Claire Cooke, access and participation manager at the RAM said: 'The clubs are an opportunity for young musicians from across London to develop their musicianship, work with and learn from our tutors, and to meet like-minded individuals. We are already seeing the impact of these programmes on those gaining places into both our Junior Academy and Junior Jazz programmes,  and in those studying for their undergraduate degree at the Academy.'

An attendee of last year's Composers Club said: ‘It was great to get ideas and comments from professionals over the course of the two Sundays. It was also my first time getting my piece performed and recorded, which was very exciting.’

The first Springboard to Grade 5 Theory and Beyond summer school was created by the Academy last year, where students learnt key skills for the ABRSM exam from workshop leader Aga Serugo-Lugo and RAM teaching staff. This course has paved the way for other schemes this academic year, with more instrumentally focused courses to be announced for 2022.

RAM’s Academy Clubs are funded by sponsors. To find out more visit www.ram.ac.uk