The Royal College of Music (RCM) has become the first London conservatoire to rename its Masters in Piano Accompaniment to highlight the central role of the pianist in collaborative music-making and to emphasise the range of skills gained on the course.
Students will now apply for a ‘Masters in Collaborative Piano’ and will receive two years of training, developing a broad knowledge of the instrumental duo, chamber and song repertoire as well as being introduced to the skills needed to become a répetiteur, ballet pianist, continuo player, orchestral pianist or vocal coach.
Strong traditions
The Royal College of Music has a strong tradition of pianists who have established themselves on the international stage as chamber musicians and song pianists. Most notable is RCM alumnus, Benjamin Britten, who regularly performed in a duo with tenor, Peter Pears. Other successful alumni include song pianists, Julius Drake and Malcolm Martineau, and chamber pianists, Katya Apekisheva, Alisdair Beatson and Danny Driver. Celebrated performer, Roger Vignoles, is currently the RCM’s Prince Consort Professor, a role previously held by Geoffrey Parsons.
Recent graduates who have enjoyed successes in national and international competitions include:
- Ian Tindale, winner of the pianist prize at the 2017 Wigmore Hall Kohn Foundation Song Competition, the 2015 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, the Royal Overseas League Music Competition and the Gerald Moore Award
- Gamal Khamis, winner of the pianist prize at the 2017 Kathleen Ferrier Awards
- João Araújo, winner of the ‘John Newmark’ Best Collaborative Pianist Award at the 2018 Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM)
Collaborative Piano co-ordinator
Simon Lepper, Collaborative Piano Co-ordinator at the RCM, said:
‘The renaming of the Royal College of Music’s piano accompaniment course reflects the evolving role of the collaborative musician, recognising their breadth of skill and acknowledging the diversity of opportunities on offer to those pursuing this rewarding career.’
Applications for the Royal College of Music’s Masters programme opened on Friday 20 July 2018. Information on courses and how to apply can be found on the RCM website here.
For more information about Collaborative Piano at the RCM, please contact Simon Lepper, Collaborative Piano Co-ordinator, here.
Header photo: Students working in collaboration at RCM © Chris Christodoulou
