Guildhall School Guide for prospective students
Acting | Music | Technical Theatre
www.gsmd.ac.uk
Prepare for Peak Performance...
All programmes validated by City University, London
2 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
This guide was published in May 2013 and is intended to provide general information only concerning the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Full and up-to-date details on all programmes and services are available on the School’s website: www.gsmd.ac.uk The School aims to promote equality of opportunity through educational provision so that no student or prospective student receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, colour, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, political or religious belief.
Acting
p10
www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting
Music
p26
www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
Technical Theatre
www.gsmd.ac.uk/technical_theatre
p64
3
Distinctive excellence... The modern Guildhall School is distinctive in being the only major European conservatoire which is both a music school and a drama school, and one which is pre-eminent in technical theatre, professional development and music therapy. The reputation of the teaching, and increasingly the research, across all disciplines in the School is unrivalled. Students experience working in a professional context to professional standards with an exemplary pool of outstanding artists who work with us as directors, conductors, coaches and tutors. The School’s alumni consistently succeed at the highest levels of their chosen profession. New or recently refurbished state-of-the-art facilities, including two concert halls, three theatres, spacious practice, teaching and living spaces, support and enhance the unique Guildhall experience. For over 130 years, the Guildhall School has stood as a vibrant showcase of the City of London’s commitment to education and the arts. Situated in the heart of the City, the School moved to its present premises in the Barbican in 1977, solidifying a unique link with both Europe’s largest arts and conference centre, including the Barbican Hall and the Pit Theatre, and the world-class London Symphony Orchestra: an alliance now recognised as a leading international centre for performance, training and education in the performing and visual arts.
4 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
The Guildhall School’s Campus is London and beyond... The Guildhall School enjoys a location in the very heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world. Make the most of your training by taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities surrounding you. Next door to the Silk Street building is the Barbican Arts Centre with its theatres, cinemas, concert hall, library and art gallery, home to such institutions as the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The Guildhall School is also within easy distance of the West End theatres, the Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre on the South Bank, the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern and all the major galleries.
There is an abundance of free entertainment on offer in London and, as a student, you are entitled to concessions on virtually all entertainment tickets, plus discounts in many shops and restaurants as well as major exclusive discounts on important items such as Tube and bus travel. You are a short train-ride or flight away from Europe and all the riches of those continental cities. The Guildhall School comprises approximately 34,000 square metres over four neighbouring buildings which are continually updated and enhanced. The School now boasts five major public performance venues equipped to showcase the work of its students.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 5
Exciting new facilities The Silk Street building was purpose-built in 1977 and is attached to the Barbican Centre. Facilities in this venue include a 196-seat Music Hall, 80-seat Lecture Recital Room, and a 308-seat Theatre, all of which are open to the public. In addition, there is a Studio Theatre, 41 teaching/practice rooms, electronic music studios, recording and sound studios, the Students’ Common Room and IT facilities. Milton Court, the School’s new development, is virtually across the road from the Silk Street building. It houses additional world-class performance facilities: a 608-seat concert hall, a 227-seat training theatre, a studio theatre, 3 major rehearsal rooms, a TV studio suite, and space for teaching, office and support services. All the spaces in Milton Court have been built to exceptionally high specifications and utilise state-of-the-art, professional standard technical facilities.
6 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
The location of the School within ‘ the City of London and being close to
London’s thriving theatre life (not least, through our ties with the Barbican Centre) is a great advantage, especially as an international student looking to begin my career in the UK.
’
Karin Singh, BA Technical Theatre Arts
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 7
Life at the Guildhall School
Student Affairs
Library
The Student Affairs team is committed to the
The Library aims to provide students with a comfortable,
general well-being of the students and in helping
supportive and welcoming environment. Its staff all
them fulfil their potential during their time at the
have a specialist knowledge of, and an interest in, music
School. It provides a supportive environment to assist
or drama. Lending facilities include books on music,
students in making the most of their student life and
theatre, drama criticism, stagecraft, costume, and
offers a valued and comprehensive range of support
music therapy. There is also a comprehensive collection
services designed to meet their academic and welfare
of plays, poetry, scores, sets of chamber music parts,
needs. Services include provision of counselling
and CD and DVDs. E-resources including New Grove
support, health and welfare advice, physiotherapy,
Online, RILM, RISM, RIPM, Music Index, the Performing
disability support (including learning support for
Arts Online, Credo Reference, JSTOR, the Encyclopedia
dyslexic students), English for speakers of other
Britannica and the Catalogue of Printed Music are also
languages, financial advice, accommodation and
available for searching. The Guildhall School was the
international student support. The office is situated in
first conservatoire in the UK to offer its students and
the School’s hall of residence, Sundial Court.
staff access to both Naxos and Classical Music Library web-streaming services, via state-of-the-art audio terminals in the Library.
8 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
IT Facilities
Accommodation
The School’s Information Technology department’s
Sundial Court, the School’s hall of residence, is
core purpose is to provide up-to-date and reliable
located in Chiswell Street, just around the corner
computing resources, empowering the Guildhall
from the main Silk Street building. Sundial Court
School community to make effective use of
has 177 bedrooms in thirty-nine flats, each with
technologies. The main IT area in the Students’
either three, four, five or six bedrooms.
Common Room provides a number of PCs and A3 colour printer-photocopiers for use by students, all of which are linked to the School’s file and mail servers. Additional facilities are also available throughout the School. Wireless access points are situated around the School and there is a wired network in the Sundial Court hall of residence.
Local amenities, including supermarkets, bars, restaurants and sports facilities are all within easy walking distance. Two underground stations are within minutes of the residence. Underneath the accommodation is the Basement, which houses the School Bar, a self-serve laundry, practice rooms and a communal television room.
Studio Resources The Guildhall School’s recording studio incorporates an advanced industry standard Pro Tools recording and production system, complemented by a comprehensive microphone collection. The studio itself houses a Steinway B piano recently refurbished and specially voiced for the studio, and can accommodate small to medium-sized chamber, jazz and contemporary ensembles. It is used for workshops, demo sessions, portfolio recordings, radio drama work and CD production to fully professional standards. There is also provision for producing
Sundial Court
demo DVDs, both in the recording studio and in the performance spaces.
Students’ Union
Security is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. With only 177 rooms, it is not possible to offer a place at Sundial Court to every student. However,
The Guildhall School Students’ Union actively
every attempt is made to provide accommodation for
represents students throughout their time at the
first year undergraduate students. All those offered a
School. Led by a full-time President, elected annually,
place at the Guildhall School are welcome to apply.
the Union acts as a channel of communication between the student and staff bodies. In addition, the Union acts as a point of contact between students and relevant external bodies. From its office in the School, the Union offers advice on a wide range of topics, and can provide useful
Further information on halls of residence, hostels and external accommodation, including details of private lodgings, rooms to rent in shared houses and details of local letting agencies, may be obtained from the Student Life Officer.
information on the Guildhall, its surrounding area,
Full details about Sundial Court and external
and student life.
accommodation options will be sent out to students once they have been offered a place at the Guildhall School.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 9
Acting The Guildhall School is a lively, friendly community of actors, theatre technicians and musicians; the Acting Department itself is intimate and supportive. The training programmes are highly regarded in the
The School has excellent performance facilities.
acting profession for the thoroughness of their
Productions take place in its 308-seat Silk Street
audition processes, the passion, quality and rigour
Theatre, and two additional spaces in the School’s
of the teaching, the emphasis on the integration of
new building Milton Court: a 227-seat proscenium
craft training, the care and attention for the individual
theatre and an intimate studio theatre. The Drama
development of each student, and the strong ensemble
Department also arranges performances at other
ethic shared by staff and students.
London theatres, including the Pit at the Barbican Centre, the Soho Theatre, the Comedy Theatre, the
The main programme is the BA Honours Degree
Swan (Stratford) and the Royal Court.
in Acting. This well-established programme has a distinguished list of graduates, especially in recent
The Department also runs two Drama Summer
years (see page 20).
Schools: Acting in Shakespeare and Contemporary Theatre, and Acting in Musical Theatre. Each course
There is also a full-time three-year MA in Acting programme, specifically designed for students who
is three weeks in duration.
already hold an undergraduate degree and wish to
The School is a partner in École des Écoles, a
have a full, professional training in acting. They work
confederation of all the major European drama
alongside students on the BA in Acting programme,
schools and is a co-organiser of Prima del Teatro, a
with additional assignments appropriate to a Masters
3-week international festival of acting workshops
programme.
which takes place in Italy every summer.
In addition, the MA in Training Actors (Voice) or (Movement) is available. This is a two-year, full-time programme designed to train a small cohort of voice and movement teachers to work in the acting profession.
‘I had a great time at Guildhall and my training set me in really good stead as an actor.’ Ewan McGregor, Acting 1992
10 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 11
The course is intense and ‘ demanding but so exciting. The
teachers are absolutely world-class – they have a wealth of experience and skill to draw upon.
’
Paapa Essiedu, BA Acting 12 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
BA (Honours) Degree in Acting MA in Acting The acting programmes are for those who
Biographies of some of the teachers are available on
intend to become professional actors. They offer
the School’s website: www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting
intensive vocational training in the practical craft of acting and are different in structure and approach from most university programmes in
Graduates from the programmes have an excellent record of professional work (see pages 19 to 22).
Drama or Performing Arts.
Key Facts
Both programmes lay the foundation for a lifetime
• 3 years (full-time)
development in the art and profession of acting. They
• 26 students in each year (78 students across the programmes)
aim to produce actors who are flexible and versatile, able to move with confidence between classical and modern theatre, film, television and radio.
• 30 part-time and full-time staff, plus visiting directors
There is a generous staff-student ratio, an enormous
• 2,300 applications/26 places
number of contact hours and a very low drop-out rate. During their training students are able to work with
Applicants are advised to apply as early
many teachers and directors. Staff are chosen to
as possible.
complement and contrast with each other; their
The programmes are constantly evolving, merging the
approaches may vary but they share a common
traditions of a classical training with the demands of the
purpose. Together they help each actor and each
profession in the twenty-first century.
group to define, develop and use the processes which are most useful to them.
Good actors must have the means, the intelligence and the need to communicate their understanding of
All the teaching and directing staff have extensive
life to an audience. Through all areas of the training
experience of professional theatre, film, television or
we encourage our students to be enquiring artists
radio, as directors, actors and teachers. They work
who can develop their own ideas and communicate
as a strongly committed team, while maintaining
them through whatever material they are offered.
regular contact with the profession. Some work in the theatre, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe and the West End. Some work in film, television and radio. Many work internationally, and guest teachers from abroad are sometimes invited to work here.
We have a strong belief in individual actors working to strength within the context of an ensemble. We work in a collaborative atmosphere and encourage actors to connect emotion, intellect, spirituality and physical skills in all that they do.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 13
BA (Hons) in Acting Years 1 and 2
Movement studies cover pure movement, movement
The first two years are training years, when you
improvisation (including animal studies and mask
concentrate on acquiring the skills you need as a
work), period dance and 20th-century dance,
professional actor. The time is divided between
showdance, acrobatics and stage combat.
classwork and rehearsal projects when you work on
Theatre background introduces a wide range of plays
a play text, applying the skills learnt in class to a wide
in their historical context.
variety of plays, as well as radio and TV work. Both classwork and rehearsal projects focus on developing and integrating four main areas of study: acting, voice, movement and playtexts.
Year 3 By the third year, you should be technically proficient vocally and physically, and have developed your
Acting studies include stagecraft, improvisation,
own working processes. Most of your time is
games and story-telling, mime, circus and physical
spent rehearsing and performing to the public and
theatre. As the training progresses, classes in radio
to potential employers. You usually work on six
and television work are added, using the School’s
productions, playing a wide variety of roles in plays of
own equipment and radio studio.
varying styles, working with several different directors.
Voice studies cover voice and speech classes, poetry
There are also sessions to prepare you for the acting
and prose, singing, phonetics, dialects and a great
profession, as well as audition showcases regularly
deal of work on language, including Shakespeare.
attended by agents, theatre and casting directors.
MA in Acting This is a three-year full-time programme designed
MA students have the same practical training as
for students who hold a university degree and wish
the BA students. They take additional modules
to have a full professional training in acting. The
developing their critical and reflective skills and
MA students work in the same classes, rehearsals
are required to achieve more demanding learning
and performances as the students on the three-year
outcomes and a higher standard overall.
BA in Acting with additional tutorials in support of achieving the Masters level outcomes. Entrance is by audition. At the point of audition, no distinction is made between applicants to the BA and the MA. Once a graduate applicant has received an offer, he or she can opt to follow either the MA or the BA programme. There are normally over 2,300 applicants for a total of about 26 places on the combined programmes.
For a summary of these programmes, please see the website: www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting
14 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
from the audition, the tutors ‘Right led me to trust that my craft and
creativity would be nurtured here. The knowledge and techniques I have learnt at Guildhall will allow me to tackle any role with conviction and truth.
’
Kae Yukawa, BA Acting
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 15
16 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Recent drama productions Summer 2013
Summer 2011
• May ‘08 (a devised piece) dir. Richard Wilson and Dinah Stabb
• Kiss Me Kate (musical) (music & lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Sam & Bella Spewak) dir. Martin Connor
• Rags (musical) (music by Charles Strouse, book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) dir. Martin Connor
• Richard III (by William Shakespeare) dir. Patsy Rodenburg
Spring 2013 • Twelfth Night (by William Shakespeare) dir. Patsy Rodenburg • A Respectable Wedding (by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Rory Bremner) dir. Owen Lewis • The Laramie Project (by Moisés Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project) dir. Wyn Jones
Autumn 2012 • Blood Wedding (by Federico Garcia Lorca in a version by Ted Hughes) dir. Christian Burgess • Toast (by Richard Bean) dir. Jo McInnes • The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Part Two (by David Edgar adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens) dir. Joseph Blatchley
Summer 2012 • Lysistrata (by Aristophanes) dir. Owen Horsley • Chaplin (musical) (music by Roger Anderson, book by Ernest Kinoy, lyrics by Lee Goldsmith) dir. Martin Connor
Spring 2012 • Les Liaisons Dangereuses (by Christopher Hampton) dir. Nick Bagnall • Jenufa (adapted from the play by Gabriela Preissova) dir. Sue Lefton • The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Part One (by David Edgar adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens) dir. Joseph Blatchley
Autumn 2011 • The Women (by Clare Boothe Luce) dir. Wyn Jones • Aces & Jacks (short plays by David Mamet) dir. Nadia Fall • …think only this of me… (a devised collaboration by Guildhall School actors and musicians) dir. Christian Burgess
Spring 2011 • The House of Atreus (adapted by Paul O’Mahony and Richard Twyman) dir. Richard Twyman • The Blue Room (freely adapted from Arthur Schnitzler by David Hare) dir. Tom Daley • Dear Brutus (by Sir James Barrie) dir. Wyn Jones
Autumn 2010 • Badenheim 1939 (adapted by Arnold Wesker from the novel by Aharon Appelfeld) dir. Christian Burgess • DNA (by Dennis Kelly) dir. Owen Lewis • Festen (by David Eldridge after the DOGME film by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bohr Hansen) dir. Joseph Blatchley
Summer 2010 • Curtains (musical) (music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Rupert Holmes, original book and concept by Peter Stone) dir. Martin Connor • Summerfolk (by Maxim Gorky/Nick Dear) dir. Owen Lewis
Spring 2010 • Tonight at 8.30 (by Noël Coward) dir. Wyn Jones • When Five Years Pass (by Federico Garcia Lorca) dir. Roberto Romei • Six Characters Looking for an Author (by Luigi Pirandello/David Harrower) dir. Joseph Blatchley
Autumn 2009 • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by William Shakespeare) dir. Douglas Rintoul • Tipping the Velvet (by Amanda Whittington based on the novel by Sarah Waters) dir. Katharine Rogers • Don Juan in Soho (by Patrick Marber, after Molière) dir. Christian Burgess
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 17
Joining the Acting Profession Preparing for the Profession In your final year you are given clear guidance on starting in the acting profession. There are regular talks, workshops and visits by regional theatre directors, agents, casting directors, income tax advisers and representatives from Equity (see below).
After training After graduating, some former students have started their own theatre companies, others are playing leading roles in the West End, at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and in regional theatres. Others feature in films and television dramas.
profession are involved as tutors in your final year,
See the website for biographies of some of our graduates.
advising you on preparation for the profession.
Through its close contacts with the profession the
Actors and actresses currently working in the
Audition showcases During the final year you prepare showcases of modern and classical speeches and scenes, which are attended by a large number of agents, directors and casting directors.
Equity membership Students who have the right to work in this country are eligible to become student members of British Actors’ Equity, the actors’ trade union, and will automatically be granted full membership on completion of their training.
18 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Drama Department is frequently able to recommend former students for specific work, and staff members are available to give advice.
Recent graduates’ work Company graduated July 2012 Jonathan Barnwell
Sion Alun Davies
Jenny Fennessy
Rose Reynolds
Hobbs in Ripper Street dir. Tom Shankland (BBC)
Jake in Festopia dir. Alice Malin (Theatre 503)
Dorothy in A Life dir. Eleanor Rhode (Finborough Theatre)
Emily Berrington
Ivor Gurney in A Soldier and a Maker dir. Iain Burnside (Barbican)
Tracey Bunson in The World’s End dir. Edgar Wright (Working Title)
Gala Gordon
Baby Doll in Tiger Tail dir. Patrick Sandford (Nuffield Theatre)
Jane Shore in The White Queen dir. James Kent (Company Productions for the BBC) Effie Blechmann in Children’s Children dir. Jeremy Herrin (Almeida Theatre)
Sherman Singers (New Writing Project) (Sherman Cymru)
Steffan Donnelly
Clare in The Look of Love dir. Michael Winterbottom (Revolution Films)
Artistic Director of Invertigo Theatre Company
Simon Blackhall
Dickie Winslow in The Winslow Boy (Clwyd Theatr Cymru)
Simone in L’Assenza dir. Jonathan Romney (First Born Films) Christos in Utopia dir. Alex Garcia & Wayne Yip (Kudos Film & TV for Channel 4)
Nathalie Buscombe Judy in The Breadwinner dir. Auriol Smith (Orange Tree Theatre) Kitty in The Man Who Pays the Piper dir. Helen Leblique (Orange Tree Theatre) Assistant in Red 2 dir. Dean Parisot (DC Entertainment) Sara Hockney in New Tricks dir. Phil John (Wall to Wall/ BBC) Lucrezia Borgia in Courtly Love dir. Jane Morgan (BBC Radio 3)
Michaela Coel Tracey Gordon in Chewing Gum Dreams dir. Che Walker (Bush Theatre) Kayla in Top Boy dir. Jonathon Van Tulleken (Channel 4/Cowboy Films)
Llanc in Saer Doliau dir. Aled Pedrick (Invertigo Theatre at the Finborough Theatre) Chef in No Em Dic Manuel dir. Gerard Iravedra (Teatre Lliure, Barcelona) Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet dir. Beckie Mills (Pendley Shakespeare Festival) Saudi Aramco Cultural Program in Saudi Arabia, National Youth Theatre
Paapa Essiedu Roy in Utopia dir. Marc Munden (Kudos Film & TV for Channel 4) Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor dir. Phillip Breen (Royal Shakespeare Company) Rat in The Mouse and his Child dir. Paul Hunter (Royal Shakespeare Company) Clay in Dutchman dir. Polina Kalinina (Orange Tree Theatre)
Irina in Three Sisters dir. Benedict Andrews (Young Vic Theatre)
Danielle Harrison Jessica Wilton in Spite & Malice dir. Duncan Ward (Eyepluggin Media) Verona in Before the Night is Through dir. Suzy Catliff/Chris Whitehead (Lucky Stuff Theatre Company)
Nicholas Kendrick Sir Robert Chiltern in An Ideal Husband dir. Andrew Cullum (Blue Orange Theatre)
Helen Sorren Pearl in XX dir. Alice Malin (Theatre 503) The Miser dir. Nancy Meckler (Watermill Theatre)
Cara Theobold Ivy in Downton Abbey dir. Andy Goddard, Jeremy Webb, David Evans (ITV) Miss Bufton in London Wall dir. Tricia Thorns (Finborough Theatre)
U/S David Filde/Lord Gray in The Haunting dir. Hugh Wooldridge (Bill Kenwright Limited)
Edwin Thomas
Katherine Rose Morley
Edward in Restless dir. Edward Hall (Endor Productions)
Call Centre Girl in 30 and Counting dir. Ben Taylor (Bwark)
Reuben Beatty in Lewis: Down Among the Fearful dir. Brian Kelly (ITV)
Sharon in The Week Before Christmas – Little Cracker Series dir. Sharon Horgan (Bwark)
Captain Ager / Horatio in A Fair Quarrel/The Spanish Tragedy dir. James Wallace (Illuminations)
Liza in Khadija is 18 dir. Tim Stark (Finborough Theatre)
Beatrice Walker
Kevin Phelan
Irwin in The History Boys dir. Michael Longhurst (Sheffield Crucible)
Petra in Public Enemy dir. Richard Jones (Young Vic Theatre)
Tyler (Guest Lead) in Casualty dir. Simon Meyers (BBC)
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 19
Acting graduates include
Naveen Andrews 1990
Adrian Dunbar 1983
Lennie James 1988
Clive Rowe 1987
Hayley Atwell 2005
Daniel Evans 1994
Natasha Little 1994
Simon Russell Beale CBE 1983
Orlando Bloom 1999
Joseph Fiennes 1993
Scott Maslen 1998
Lesley Sharp 1982
Stephen Campbell Moore 1999
Mariah Gale 2003
Alistair McGowan 1989
Geraldine Somerville 1989
Daniel Craig 1991
Shirley Henderson 1986
Ewan McGregor 1992
David Thewlis 1984
Oliver Dimsdale 1999
Jocelyn Jee Esien 1997
Neil Morrissey 1983
Dominic West 1995
Michelle Dockery 2004
Rhys Ifans 1989
Fay Ripley 1990
Jodie Whittaker 2005
20 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Recent awards BAFTA Awards
Evening Standard Awards
Dominic West – winner of Best Leading Actor for Appropriate Adult, 2012
Simon Russell Beale – winner of Best Actor for Collaborators (NT), 2012
Monica Dolan – winner of Best Supporting Actress for Appropriate Adult, 2012
Charles Edwards – nominated for Best Actor for The King’s Speech (Guildford/Wyndham’s) and This House (NT), 2012
Alfred Molina – nominated for Best Supporting Actor for An Education, 2009
Critics’ Circle Awards Daniel Craig – nominated for British Actor of the Year for Skyfall, 2013 Alfred Molina – nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for An Education, 2010
Emmy Awards Damian Lewis – winner of Best Actor in a Drama Series for Homeland, 2012 Michelle Dockery – nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Downton Abbey, 2012
Eileen Atkins – nominated for Best Actress for All That Fall, 2012 Ewan McGregor – nominated for Best Actor for The Ghost, 2011 David Thewlis – nominated for the Peter Sellers Comedy Award for his performance in London Boulevard, 2011 Lesley Sharp – nominated for Best Actress for Harper Regan (NT Cottesloe), 2008 Michelle Dockery – nominated for The Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer for Pygmalion (Old Vic), 2008 Lex Shrapnel – nominated for The Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer for Henry IV Part I, (RSC at the Roundhouse), 2008
‘ I knew I wanted to go to Guildhall the minute I walked down the corridor – there was something about the students, tutors and the whole atmosphere. Getting in was like winning the lottery.’ Michelle Dockery, Acting 2004
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 21
British Independent Film Awards
Tony Awards
Hayley Atwell – nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Duchess, 2008
Daniel Evans – nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical for Sunday in the Park with George, 2008
David Thewlis – winner of the Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Film, 2008
Golden Globe Awards
Theatregoers’ Choice (Whatsonstage.com) Awards
Damian Lewis – winner of Best Actor in a Drama for Homeland, 2013
Andy Nyman – nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for Abigail’s Party (Wyndham’s), 2013
Ewan McGregor – nominated for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, 2013
Owain Arthur – nominated for Best Takeover in a Role for One Man, Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Haymarket), 2013
Michelle Dockery – nominated for Best Actress in a Drama for Downton Abbey, 2013 Hayley Atwell – nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television for Pillars of the Earth, 2011
Ian Charleson Award Natalie Dew – winner of 3rd prize for Celia in As You Like It (Curve, Leicester), 2011 Mariah Gale – Special Commendation for Celia in As You Like It (RSC, Courtyard, Stratford), 2011 Max Irons – nominated for Max Piccolomini in Wallenstein (Minerva, Chichester), 2011 Henry Pettigrew – nominated for Marcellus/Second Gravedigger in Hamlet (Donmar at Wyndham’s), 2011 Gwilym Lee – commendation for Oedipus (NT), 2009 Natalie Dew – nominated for Viola in Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park), 2008
Olivier Awards Marcia Warren – nominated for Best Actress for The Ladykillers (Gielgud Theatre), 2012 Sarah Lancashire – nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre), 2012 Andy Nyman – nominated for Best Entertainment, co-writer Ghost Stories (Duke of York’s Theatre), 2011 Andy Nyman – nominated for Best Entertainment for Derren Brown: Enigma written by Derren Brown and Andy Nyman (Adelphi Theatre), 2010 Alexander Hanson – nominated for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), 2008 Clive Rowe – nominated for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for his performance in Mother Goose (Hackney Empire), 2008
22 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Joshua Miles – nominated for Newcomer of the Year for Bully Boy (St James Theatre), 2013 Simon Russell Beale – nominated for Best Actor in a Play for Deathtrap (Noël Coward) and London Assurance (NT), 2011 Stephen Campbell Moore – nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for All My Sons (Apollo), 2011 Lesley Sharp – nominated for Best Actress in a Play for The Rise & Fall of Little Voice (Vaudeville), 2010 Dominic West – nominated for Best Actor in a Play for Life is a Dream (Donmar Warehouse), 2010 Hayley Atwell – nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for A View from the Bridge (Duke of York’s Theatre), 2010 Michelle Dockery – nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for Burnt by the Sun (NT Lyttelton), 2010 Alexander Hanson – nominated for Best Actor in a Musical for A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory & Garrick), 2010 Alistair McGowan – nominated for The Waldorf Best New Comedy (Writing) for Timing (King’s Head), 2010 Lesley Sharp – nominated for The Spotlight Best Actress in a Play for Harper Regan (NT Cottesloe), 2009 Alexander Hanson – nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), 2009
Throughout ‘the audition
process I felt excited, creatively challenged and ultimately inspired; and so far the course has done all that and more!
’
Nathalie Buscombe, MA Acting
Applying for the Acting programmes Students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds are selected on merit by audition.
Please see www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting for details of how to apply, and our audition process. You are advised to apply as early as possible.
It is not necessary to have any previous acting experience. You should normally be at least 18 years old when you begin your training. Most students are a few years older. There is no upper age limit.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 23
MA in Training Actors (Voice) or (Movement) This programme is designed to train voice and
At the core of the programme is intensive observation
movement teachers to work in the acting profession.
of actors in training. This is supported by seminars
It is a two-year full-time course, led by Patsy
and tutorials; research; development of the student’s
Rodenburg (Head of Voice) and Wendy Allnutt (Head
own knowledge and skills; placement in a major
of Movement), in association with professional
theatre company and/or drama school. Students
theatre companies and leading drama schools.
specialise in either Voice or Movement throughout the course. They follow an integrated modular
Drawing on a long tradition of actor-training in the
programme, with emphasis on their chosen discipline
UK and abroad, this programme aims to develop a
within each module.
new generation of theatre craft teachers to work with actors in training and in the profession. A
Please visit www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting for further details of this programme, and how to apply.
maximum of four students (two for Voice and two for Movement) is enrolled, each able to develop their knowledge and skills under close guidance. Students enjoy close links with the Acting Programme and with the professional theatre.
Guildhall offers ‘ a course unlike any
other drama school with one-to-one tuition, support, and unique training which enables you to accomplish the career that you dream of achieving.
’
Charlie Morgan, MA in Training Actors (Movement) 24 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Staff Director of Drama
Core teaching staff:
Christian Burgess AGSM FGS
Diana Devlin – Theatre Background
Director of Acting
Kate Godfrey – Voice & Speech
Wyn Jones FGS
Charmian Hoare – Voice & Speech
Head of Acting Studies
Danny McGrath – Movement
Martin Connor FGS
Kenneth Rea – Circus & Story-telling
Head of Voice Patsy Rodenburg OBE FGS
Head of Movement Wendy Allnutt DipCSSD FGS
Annemette Verspeak – Voice & Speech Emma Woodvine – Voice & Speech For a full list of teaching staff please visit the website: www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting
Head of Academic Studies (Drama) Eliot Shrimpton BA MA (Cantab)
Director of Creative Learning Sean Gregory MPhil BA(Hons) FGS LGSM (PCS)
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 25
Music As a music student at the Guildhall School you will be joining a community of young artists at an institution which, for over 130 years, has been recognised for its excellence and innovation in performance training and whose many graduates occupy eminent roles within the profession. You will work with some of the greatest international artists and renowned teachers in state-of-theart facilities situated at the heart of the world’s most culturally vibrant city. You will have unrivalled opportunities to perform in world-class venues throughout London and beyond. In addition to developing your own artistic excellence, you will be working within a culture committed to enquiry and innovation, where time and space are given to experimentation, artistic communication and the discovery of new ideas. Your time at the Guildhall School will provide you with the know-how, discipline and energy level required to achieve artistic excellence; you will be well grounded in both advanced techniques for new music and historically-informed interpretation, and you will develop clear career objectives together with the ambition, confidence and drive to achieve them.
Guildhall was the only ‘college I auditioned for. With the help and guidance given to me, I was ready to embark on a professional career.
Bryn Terfel, Opera 1989
26 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
’
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 27
Studying Music at the Guildhall School One-to-one principal study lies at the heart of the learning experience at the Guildhall School. Your individual tuition, underpinned by solo and chamber coaching, are central to all Guildhall School programmes. The weekly lesson combined with chamber/small ensemble coaching sessions are enhanced by workshops and masterclasses given by many eminent visiting artists and ensembles. Collaboration with our immediate neighbours, the Barbican Centre and the London Symphony Orchestra, will not only give you year-round access to international artists, composers and conductors but also the opportunity to perform in two of London’s major performance spaces, the Barbican Hall and LSO St Luke’s. State-of-the-art venues in Milton Court including a world-class 608-seat concert hall and two theatres now add to the School’s wealth of dedicated facilities.
Undergraduate A four-year programme leading to a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours is offered in the following principal study areas: Strings, Wind, Brass & Percussion, Keyboard, Vocal Studies, Composition, Electronic Music, and Jazz. See page 51 for details.
Postgraduate Postgraduate study options include three Masters level programmes: Guildhall Artist Masters programme (see page 53) MA in Opera Making and Writing (see page 62) MA in Music Therapy (see page 48) There is also a broad, practice-based doctoral research programme (see page 78) which includes a new studentship as Composer-in-Residence with the Royal Opera House. The Guildhall Artist programme has three pathways, Composition, Leadership and Performance, and in the Performance pathway students can undertake one of a number of specialisms:
28 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Advanced Instrumental Studies This specialism is intended for students showing a high level of ability and musicianship with the potential for a career as a soloist or in chamber music. The expectation is that students who take this pathway come with advanced instrumental ability and musical understanding and also have a broad understanding of repertoire for their instrument.
Orchestral Artistry Orchestral Artistry, in association with the London Symphony Orchestra, is a highly distinctive and ground-breaking specialism, designed to attract the very finest students from around the world to work alongside LSO players, international artists/conductors and Guildhall School professors in a context akin to a professional environment (see page 60). The aim is to produce fully rounded musicians who have acquired the skills, knowledge and capability to become high achieving 21st century musicians. Orchestral Artistry is part of Centre for Orchestra, a unique collaboration between the Guildhall School, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Barbican Centre (see page 58).
Chamber Music The Chamber Music specialism is aimed at a small number of pre-existing groups who wish to hone their skills and develop their profile. Groups (with a minimum of three players) receive weekly coachings with principal study staff and also first preference for coachings with visiting ensembles and artists (see page 41).
Opera course The Opera course has a very strong reputation and in 2007 won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for the quality of its achievements and its innovative training programme. It offers advanced training for both vocal students and repetiteurs and aspires to work at a professional level over two years full-time (see page 38). Performance principal study specialisms are also available in vocal studies, historical performance, jazz and piano accompaniment.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 29
The Guildhall School is renowned for ‘having a high level of teaching and so it
seemed the best place for me to continue my studies. London is a cosmopolitan city, so I have the opportunity to experience many different cultures which help broaden my artistic horizons.
’
Ella Rundle, BMus Cello 30 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Principal Study Strings Violin • Viola • Cello • Double Bass • Guitar • Harp • Lute • Viols Individual lessons and masterclasses • Chamber music • Orchestra • String Ensemble Principal Study lessons delivered by our eminent string professors are the central focus of study in the String Department. This training is further enhanced by a strong programme of chamber coaching and orchestral training. There are many opportunities to become involved in contemporary music and historically informed performance as well as innovative work in cross-arts performance.
Head of Department Louise Hopkins FGS AGSM
Deputy Head Evan Rothstein BM MM DocMus
Assistant Deputy Head Krzysztof Smietana FGS
Eugène Ysaÿe International Chair of Violin David Takeno FGS
Head of Chamber Music Alasdair Tait BMus PPRNCM
• Faculty Artist Series recitals by Louise Hopkins, Pierre Doumenge, Krzysztof Smietana and Alexander Baillie playing alongside senior students • Performances by senior student string quartets in Guildhall Artists at the Barbican, rush-hour concerts preceding LSO concerts on the Barbican stage • String players performing in Symphony, Chamber and Baroque Orchestra concerts, operas, and chamber music throughout the year.
Recent Student Successes Geminiani Quartet Winner of 1st Prize at the Alexander and Buono International String Competition Hikaru Mitsukawa (BMus Violin) Winner of 2nd Prize at the Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition in Nagoya, Japan Hannah Stone (MMus Harp) Winner of 2nd Prize in the Reinl Competition, Vienna
Alumni include Jennifer Pike (Violin 2009), soloist David Coucheron (Violin 2008), concertmaster of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Senior Tutor in Strings Chamber Music
Maxim Rysanov (Viola 2005), recipient of Classic FM/Gramophone Young Artist of the Year
Matthew Jones
Lawrence Power (Viola 1996), soloist
Historical Performance Studies See page 40.
Chamber Music Studies See page 41.
Recent Department Highlights • Masterclasses with Midori, Roman Simovic, Maria Radicheva, Arni Egilsson, Tabea Zimmerman, Alban Gerhardt, Graham Devine, Helga Storck, Isabelle Perin, Zvi Zeitlin, Marisa Robles, Bryn Lewis, Sherban Lupu, David Alberman, Miriam Fried, Gary Hoffman and Sioned Williams
Tom Norris (Violin/Viola 1993), Co-Principal 2nd Violin, London Symphony Orchestra Stephanie Gonley (Violin 1987), Leader of the English Chamber Orchestra Tasmin Little (Violin 1986), soloist Anthony Marwood (Violin 1986), soloist
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information: www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 31
School’s ‘Thereputation
of providing world-class tuition and support for every student has proved to be true – I have been supported every step of the way.
’
Ben Gernon, BMus Tuba
Wind, Brass and Percussion Flute • Oboe • Clarinet • Bassoon • Horn • Trumpet • Tenor & Bass Trombone • Tuba • Timpani & Percussion • Alto Saxophone • Recorders Individual lessons • Instrumental classes and masterclasses with visiting musicians • Chamber music • Orchestra • Orchestral repertoire sessions • Wind Ensembles • Brass ensembles • Contemporary Music • Percussion ensemble • Samba Band • Sax ensemble • Recorder consort
32 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
The Wind, Brass & Percussion department provides top quality Principal Study coaching enhanced by a wide variety of performance opportunities. The emphasis is on the development of the student’s creativity and professional skills.
Head of Department Richard Benjafield GRNCM PPRNCM
Deputy Head of Department Jo Hensel BSc GGSM
Head of Chamber Music Alastair Tait BMus PPRNCM
Senior Tutor in Wind, Brass and Percussion Chamber Music Joy Farrall GGSM
Historical Performance Studies See page 40.
Chamber Music Studies
Recent Student Successes Sarah Brown (BMus Clarinet) and Mana Shibata (MMus Oboe) Selected for LSO Wind Academy Raymond Hearne (BMus Tuba) Winner of 1st Prize at the Newark Brass Festival Competition Liz O’Brien (BMus Bassoon) Winner of the McCullough Cup and RTÉ Lyric FM Award Joseph Ryan (BMus Horn) Winner of the Yamaha Brass Prize and Royal Dublin Society Music Award
Alumni include Philip Cobb (Trumpet 2009), London Symphony Orchestra, joint Principal Trumpet
See page 41.
Clare Robson (Flute 2006), Northern Sinfonia,
Recent Department Highlights
Angela Barnes (Horn 2005), London Symphony
• Visiting artists and masterclasses include soloists of the Berlin Philharmonic: Gabor Tarkovi (Trumpet), Stefan Schulz (Bass Trombone), Jonathan Kelly (Oboe); principal players of the London Symphony Orchestra: Rod Franks (Trumpet), Rachel Gough (Bassoon), Andrew Marriner (Clarinet); Mark Nuccio (Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic), Stefan Hoskuldsson (Principal Flute, New York Met Opera), Ron Barron (ex-Principal Trombone, Boston Philharmonic), Oystein Baaadsrik (Tuba)
Orchestra, 2nd Horn
• Audition masterclasses with LSO players for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion as part of Centre for Orchestra
Orchestra, Principal Clarinet
• Guildhall Brass Ensemble recording of Gilson’s La Fanfare Wagnerienne in a new performance edition by Eric Crees was released in Easter 2013
Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Flute
• Concert series of performances by department ensembles include Kings Place, pre-LSO Guildhall Artists at the Barbican concerts in the Barbican Hall, Saxophone Ensemble’s UK cathedral series, performances in the BBC Symphony Orchestra Total Immersion days • The Geoffrey Gilbert Flute Room was opened in May 2009 in memory of former professor Geoffrey Gilbert who taught James Galway and William Bennett. The room houses Gilbert’s personal collection of music and scores.
Principal Flute
Elspeth Dutch (Horn 2002), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Principal Horn Alison Balsom (Trumpet 2001), international trumpet soloist and winner of Best Female Artist, Classical Brit Awards Joby Burgess (Percussion 2001), solo percussionist Chris Richards (Clarinet 2001), London Symphony
Cormac Henry (Flute 2000), Royal Liverpool
Gareth Davies (Flute 1994), London Symphony Orchestra, Principal Flute Sarah Willis (Horn 1990), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, 4th Horn
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 33
Keyboard Piano • Fortepiano • Harpsichord
Faculty Artist Series recitals by Caroline Palmer,
Individual lessons and masterclasses • Keyboard skills • Performance and repertoire studies • Duo performance • Chamber Music
Charles Owen, Iain Burnside and Noriko Ogawa
This course is intended for keyboard players showing a high level of ability and musicianship with the potential for a career as a soloist or in chamber music. It includes
Senior pianists performing as soloists with Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, and on the Barbican stage preceding LSO concerts as part of Guildhall Artists at the Barbican
options for Chamber Music electives and dedicated
Recent Student Successes
courses in Accompaniment and Repetiteur Training.
Anna Cardona Esteva (Piano Accompaniment
Historical Performance Studies
Fellow) Winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Piano Accompanist Prize
See page 40.
Chamber Music Studies See page 41.
Head of Department Ronan O’Hora FGS FRNCM
Deputy Head of Department Pamela Lidiard MA FGS GGSM
Senior Professor Joan Havill FGS ARCM LRSM
Senior Professor in Vocal Accompaniment Graham Johnson FGS FRAM
International Chair in Piano Studies Richard Goode HonFGS
Visiting Professors Imogen Cooper FGS Paul Lewis FGS
Head of Chamber Music
Alexandra Dariescu (Piano Fellow) Winner of the Verbier Festival CUBS Piano Prize; Romanian Ambassador’s Award for Musical Achievement Martyna Jatkauskaite (Piano Fellow) Winner of 1st Prize in the Giorgos Thymis International Piano Competition James Kreiling (Piano Fellow) Winner of 2nd Prize in the British Contemporary Piano Competition Jennifer Lee (DMA Piano) Winner of the Maurice Ravel International Music Academy Prize Mishka Rushdie Momen (BMus Piano) Winner of 1st Prize in the Piano Section of the Tunbridge Wells International Young Artists Competition Ben Schoeman (MMA/DMA Piano) Winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music South Africa Alexander Soares (Piano Fellow) Winner of 2nd Prize at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Competition; winner of 2nd Prize at the Brant International Piano Competition
Alastair Tait BMus PPRNCM
Dinis Sousa (BMus Piano) Winner of 1st Prize in the Santa Cecilia Piano Competition in Portugal
Senior Tutor in Keyboard Chamber Music
Grace Yeo (MMus Piano) Winner of 2nd Prize in
Caroline Palmer BMus
the Norah Sande Award
Recent Department Highlights
Alumni include
Recent masterclasses by Lang Lang, András Schiff,
Tom Poster (Piano 2004), Sa Chen (Piano 2001),
Richard Goode, Imogen Cooper, Simon Trpceski,
Paul Lewis (Piano 1994), Lucy Parham (Piano 1989)
Christian Blackshaw, Paul Lewis, Ronald Brautigam, Leon Fleisher, Aleksandar Madzar, Rolf Hind, Martin Katz
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
34 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
to Guildhall because I wanted ‘I came to widen my experience in music in
London, the best city in the world for musicians. I’ve had amazing experiences of masterclasses with great musicians such as Dominique Merlet, Richard Goode and Paul Lewis.
’
Grace Yeo, MMus Piano
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 35
to the Guildhall because ‘Iofcame the superb level of teaching.
The Vocal Department has a world class staff, whose dedication and passion inspire students to achieve their utmost potential.
’
Anna Anandarajah, BMus Vocal Studies 36 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Vocal Studies Individual lessons and masterclasses • Languages (German, Italian, French) • Song class • Light music/Music Theatre • Movement, speech and drama • Recitative • Oratorio • Opera Studies • Performance Projects
performance series, City of London Festival & LSO St Luke’s recitals, new vocal music (‘Voiceworks’) projects at Wigmore Hall and The Forge, Henze Voices in the Barbican Hall (part of BBC Symphony Orchestra Total Immersion Day), Guildhall Consort performances, many Vocal Studies song repertoire concerts.
As well as Principal Study and individual coaching, the department provides training in French Mélodie,
Recent Student Successes
German Lieder, Italian aria, Russian, Spanish and
Kayleigh Anger (BMus Vocal Studies) Winner of the North London Music Festival Singing Competition
English repertoire, movement, language and song. Other opportunities within the course include Opera Associates and Opera Ensemble.
Head of Department Linnhe Robertson MA BMus BA
Deputy Head of Vocal Studies Armin Zanner MA MPhil (Cantab) MMus
Vocal Performance Consultant Sarah Walker CBE FRCM FGS
Senior Professor in Vocal Accompaniment Graham Johnson FGS FRAM
Recent Department Highlights Masterclasses: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Christine Brewer, Susan Bullock, Sally Burgess, Sarah Connolly, Gerald Finley, Dame Emma Kirkby, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Paolo Olmi, Graham Johnson, Edith Wiens, Anthony Legge, Graham Clark, Pamela Bullock, Peter Robinson, Malcolm Martineau, Amy Jarman, Susan Youens, Eugene Asti, Elijah Moshinsky, Martin Katz, Susan McCulloch, Rudolf Piernay, Laura Sarti, Susan Waters
Benjamin Appl (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Winner of the Public’s Choice Award at the Das Lied Competition, Berlin Barbara Barradas (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Winner of the Audience Prize, Concurso de Canto Lirico Fundacao Rotaria Portuguesa Keri Fuge (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Winner of the Michael Oliver Prize at the Handel Singing Competition Susana Gaspar (Vocal Studies Fellow) Semi-finalist, BBC Radio 2 Kiri Prize; Winner of 1st Prize, Lieder Prize and Portuguese Song Prize, Concurso de Canto Lirico Fundacao Rotaria Portuguesa Martin Hässler (BMus Vocal Studies) Winner of 1st Prize at the Bundeswettbewerb Gesang Berlin; Winner of 2nd Prize at the Das Lied Competition, Berlin Mae Heydorn (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Winner of the Schubert Competition Szymon Komosa (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Selected to represent Poland in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2011
Performances include: Verdi Requiem, Stravinsky
Raphaela Papdakis (Postgraduate Vocal Studies) Winner of the Courtney-Kenny Award from the
Les Noces (LSO St Luke’s & French tour), Walton’s
Association of English Singers and Speakers
Belshazzar’s Feast, Mahler Symphony No. 2, Handel’s lecture recitals, production of A Soldier and a Maker by
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information
Iain Burnside, pre-LSO Guildhall Artists at the Barbican
www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
Messiah (St Giles Cripplegate), Graham Johnson Lieder
concert series in the Barbican Hall, Opera Ensemble
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 37
Opera Studies Opera Studies provides an intensive training for up
Repetiteur Training
to 24 singers and 4 student repetiteurs at any one
This is for excellent pianists and accomplished sight-
time. It offers an advanced level of vocal training
readers, with experience of accompanying singers
and aspires to work at a professional level over two
and some knowledge of the operatic repertoire.
years full-time.
The course is run from within the Opera Department
The course provides singing lessons, individual
and successful candidates will be fully committed to
coaching in roles and repertoire, acting and stage
the work of that Department.
techniques – movement, dance, make-up and
The course comprises accompanying opera production
drama language coaching, workshop productions
rehearsals, coaching singers on the Opera Course,
of scenes, fully staged public productions and
individual coaching, training in repetiteur techniques,
career guidance.
harpsichord tuition and experience of continuo
In addition to the vocal and dramatic training, the
playing, piano lessons and language coaching.
department mounts, in full collaboration with the Technical Theatre Department, three full public
Head of Department
productions each year and three programmes of
Dominic Wheeler BA(Cantab) ARCM(PG)
operatic excerpts in a workshop setting.
ARCO Hon ARAM
Resident Producer Martin Lloyd-Evans BSc (Hons) FGS
The quality of ‘ teachers is second
to none. I am thrilled with my teacher; every session confirms the decision to be here studying with him. I also love living in London – it’s a wonderful city!
’
Charlie Mellor, MMus Opera Studies 38 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Recent Performances
Recent Student Successes
2012 – 2013
Maire Flavin (Opera Course) Winner of the Thelma King Award
Massenet La navarraise, Massenet Le portrait de Manon and Martinu Comedy on the Bridge Mozart Le nozze di Figaro Britten Owen Wingrave
2011 – 2012 Nicolai Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor Britten A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rorem Our Town (European premiere)
2010 – 2011 De Almeida Spinalba Poulenc Dialogues des Carmélites Donizetti Rita and Tchaikovsky Iolanta
2009 – 2010
Eva Ganizate (Opera Course) Winner of 1st Prize, John Warner Memorial Award; Winner of the Musique d’Ensemble Woodbrass Prize Sky Ingram (Opera Course) Winner of the Lorna Viol Memorial Prize and ROSL Trophy for the most outstanding musician from overseas; Tait Memorial Scholarship for an Australian Musician Sophie Junker (Opera Course) Winner of the Handel Singing Competition Eleanor Laugharne (Opera Course) Winner of the Maggie Teyte Prize and Miriam Licette Scholarship Amy J Payne (Opera Course) Winner of 2nd Prize, John Warner Memorial Award Elena Sancho-Pereg (Opera Course) Winner of the International Singing Competition of Lograno, Spain
Massenet Chérubin
Victor Sicard (Opera Course) Winner of 2nd Prize at the Jackdaws Vocal Awards; Winner of the 2nd prize at the Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform
Britten Albert Herring
Koji Terada (Opera Course) Winner of the
2008 – 2009
Clonter Opera Prize and Audience Prize
Donizetti L’assedio di Calais
Gluck La rencontre imprévue Sallinen The King Goes Forth to France
Alumni include
Martinu The Marriage (British stage premiere) and
Kate Royal (Opera 2003)
Rossini La cambiale di matrimonio
Sally Matthews (Opera 2000)
2007 – 2008
Mark Stone (Opera 1998) Toby Spence (Opera 1995)
Mozart Die Zauberflöte
Roderick Williams (Opera 1995)
Offenbach La vie parisienne
Bryn Terfel (Opera 1989)
Gounod La colombe and Rossini L’occasione fa il ladro
2006 – 2007
Anne Sofie von Otter (Opera 1982) Recent graduates won places at the highly-acclaimed National Opera Studio, Opera Studio Young Artist
Hindemith The Long Christmas Dinner and
Programme at the Berlin Staatsoper, English National
Berkeley A Dinner Engagement
Opera Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker
Mozart Le nozze di Figaro
Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House.
R. Strauss Capriccio
Others secured roles with Opera Holland Park,
2005 – 2006
Nuremberg Opera Studio, Clonter Opera, and Welsh
Mozart La finta semplice Verdi Falstaff Puccini Gianni Schicchi and Il tabarro
National Opera.
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 39
Historical Performance Historically Informed Performance offers students
Performances: Baroque Ensemble performance in
a solid basis for a sustained and rewarding career in
the London Handel Festival under the direction of
the music profession.
Adrian Butterfield; Recorder Consort performances at
Study in Historical Performance is available across Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels. There is a BMus principal study pathway in Early Instruments, and a Guildhall Artist Masters programme specialism in Historical Performance. The opportunity to study an historical instrument as a supporting study/elective through the BMus programme is available where appropriate. Many students find that a knowledge of traditions and techniques of the past can inform their performances of the future.
King’s Place, London; Guildhall Consort conducted by Eamonn Dougan in programmes of Josquin, Victoria, Grieg, Purcell, Palestrina, in the Barbican Foyer; Monteverdi, Lotti and Gabrieli in St Martin-in-theFields; Robert Ramsey, Schubert in the Guildhall School Music Hall; devotional a cappella works by Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Stravinsky and Tomas Luis da Victoria at St Anne’s Lutheran Church; senior students performed at Hatchlands Park using instruments from the Cobbe Collection; performances by the Guildhall Baroque Orchestra under the direction of Pavlo Beznosiuk,
Head of Historical Performance
including a collaboration with the Royal Academy of
Jane Booth BMus LRAM
Music’s Becket Ensemble.
Masterclasses: Emma Kirkby (Voice), Rachel Podger
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information
(Violin), Jill Severs (Harpsichord), Peter Whelan (baroque
www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
Recent Department Highlights
winds), Principal players from the OAE (ensembles)
40 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Chamber Music Chamber Music Studies is aimed at a small number
Performances: Lunchtime chamber and song series
of pre-existing groups who wish to hone their skills
at the City of London Festival, regular performances
and develop their profile. Groups can consist of any
before LSO concerts as part of Guildhall Artists at the
combination of three players or more with the group
Barbican, staff and student ensemble performances
receiving weekly coachings with Principal Study staff
in Faculty Artist Series.
and also first preference for coachings with visiting ensembles and artists. Any group interested in this
Recent Student Successes
option should contact the Director of Music. This
Geminiani Quartet: Winner of 1st Prize at the
course is offered at postgraduate level only.
Alexander and Buono International String Competition
Head of Chamber Music Alasdair Tait BMus PPRNCM
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information
Senior Tutor in Strings Chamber Music
www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
Matthew Jones
Senior Tutor in Wind, Brass and Percussion Chamber Music
Caroline Palmer BMus
Centre for Classical Improvisation and Creative Performance
Visiting Ensembles
The centre offers research, training, open workshops
International Chair in Quartet: Takรกcs Quartet
and performances related to classical improvisation
Resident Quartet: Belcea Quartet
and a creative approach to interpretation. Students
Joy Farrall GGSM
Senior Tutor in Keyboard Chamber Music
Visiting Quartet-in-Association: Endellion Quartet
Recent Department Highlights
study traditions of extemporisation such as improvised cadenzas, repeats and fantasias, while striving to enhance spontaneity and risk-taking in interpretation and performance. The head of the centre is David Dolan.
Masterclasses: Daniel Philips, Gary Hoffman, Isabel Charisius, David Alberman, Andras Keller
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 41
Composition Individual lessons and masterclasses • Workshops • Techniques of Composition • Orchestration • Electronic Music • Analysis • Aesthetics
which also offers a wide range of supporting studies from performance, jazz and improvisation to analytical or historical research. The MA in Opera Making and Writing in
Undergraduate
association with the Royal Opera House is a one-year
The guiding principle which underpins this course
Masters programme due to launch in September
is that composers should develop in collaboration
2014 (subject to validation). It will allow composers
with technically proficient and sympathetic
to focus on how new opera is created, developed and
instrumentalists, under the expert guidance of
performed and combines an invaluable opportunity
experienced practitioners. At the heart of the course is
to acquire first-hand experience of the day-to-day
the workshop process, and we make a commitment to
workings of the Royal Opera House with individually
workshop every piece that students write.
tailored one-to-one tuition from a member of the School’s composition department (see page 62).
Postgraduate
Doctoral Study in Composition
The Guildhall Artist Masters programme is primarily practical and project-based work, supported by weekly analytical and theoretical seminars. In addition to compositional activity, students participate in compulsory modules in electronic music and writing for film and television. Composers can pursue these areas further within the elective programme
See Research Degrees (page 78). Visiting composers include George Benjamin, Alexander Goehr, James MacMillan, Jonathan Harvey, Judith Weir and Richard Ayres, while prominent publishers, copyists and administrators offer practical insights into the music business.
It’s amazing to be ‘learning from some of
the leading figures in the contemporary music scene, teachers who constantly inspire and who truly wish you to succeed.
’
Sylvia Lim, BMus Composition
42 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Electronic Music Individual lessons and masterclasses • Ensemble • Technical Seminars • Composition The Electronic Music Principal Study course embraces all areas of music technology whilst, at the same time, allowing students the freedom to pursue their studies from a compositional, production or performance bias. The course is offered at undergraduate level only.
Composition and Electronic Music Head of Composition Julian Philips MA (Cantab) FGS
Recent Student Successes Francisco Coll (MMus Composition) Represented
Composer-in-Residence and
Spain in the UNESCO International Rostrum of
Professor of Composition
Composers with Piedras; appointed Composer in
Julian Anderson BMus (RCM) MPhil (Cantab)
Residence with the Jove Orquestra de la Generalitat
AM (Harvard)
Valenciana
Head of Electronic Music and Music Technology Mike Roberts MA
Raymond Yiu (DMus Composition) Winner of the British Composer Award for Chamber Work Northwest Wind
Recent Department Highlights
Alumni include
The School’s New Music Ensemble annually
Mica Levi (Composition 2009), Raisa Khan,
performs in the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Total
Marc Pell (Electronic Music 2009) aka Micachu
Immersion composer days, recently: Arvo Pärt,
and the Shapes
Jonathan Harvey, Brett Dean, Oliver Knussen, Brian Ferneyhough, Unsuk Chin and Peter Eotvos. Guildhall composition students are often invited to
Tansy Davies (Composition 1998), composer and recipient of Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award
write ensemble pieces for the day, later broadcast
Dario Marianelli (Composition 1994),
on BBC Radio 3.
Oscar-winning film composer
Voiceworks – AHRC Funded Research Project
Thomas Adès (Composition 1989), composer,
with the Contemporary Poetics Research Centre,
conductor and pianist
Birkbeck College, resulting in annual performances
Debbie Wiseman MBE FGS (Composition 1984),
at the Wigmore Hall, streamed live on www.voiceworks.org.uk.
film and television composer
collaborations: each year postgraduate composers
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information
collaborate with dance school choreographers to
www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
London Contemporary Dance School
produce new works featured in a series of public performances at The Place. Orchestral premieres by Guildhall composers Edmund Finnis, Ed Nesbitt and Francisco Coll featured in Guildhall Symphony concerts at the Barbican Hall.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 43
Out of all the music colleges, Guildhall ‘prepares you to be versatile and equips
you with skills to work in a variety of different contexts – I’m grabbing opportunities and perfecting my craft.
’
Lewis Daniel, BMus Jazz 44 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Jazz Saxophone • Trumpet • Trombone • Tuba • Piano • Guitar • Bass Guitar • Double Bass • Drums • Voice (other instruments by negotiation)
Recent Department Highlights
Undergraduate
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Principal Study Jazz students benefit from a
Regular small band performances at the
broad range of music study with a specialist
Vortex Jazz Club
focus on jazz. Whilst working within the framework
Annual collaboration with the Duke Ellington
of the four year BMus programme, this unique course
Society UK
Annual performances in the London Jazz Festival and the Guildhall Jazz Festival with major visiting artists Masterclasses with John Scofield, Mark Turner,
develops skills within a wide range of musical fields.
Postgraduate This is an intensive course for a group of 15-20 instrumentalists and singers who have already reached a high level of performance and are preparing to enter the field as professionals. The course is designed to train the whole musician through an aural approach and a broad curriculum to give students a solid foundation in performance, harmony, rhythm, improvisation, composition,
Alumni include Natalie Williams (Jazz Voice 2001) Stacey Kent (Jazz Voice 1991) Jason Rebello (Jazz Piano 1989) Cleveland Watkiss (Jazz Voice 1988)
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
arranging and studio recording.
Head of Jazz Martin Hathaway GGSM LGSM
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 45
enjoy about the Leadership ‘What I most course is that it offers a real-life
experience close to that of a contemporary musician. It has the right balance of work and freedom, enabling you to explore your own personality as an artist.
’
Cris Van Beuren, MMus Leadership 46 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Leadership The Leadership pathway provides a unique
Recent Department Highlights
opportunity for professional artists to extend the
MAP-making (Music, Art and Performance), an
boundaries of performance practice and to explore
ongoing collaborative project with the Royal College
different creative processes and ways of learning
of Art: participating students collaborated over six
in a practical research environment. Students are
months to produce a new work incorporating music,
encouraged to identify a personal pathway of
live electronics, moving image and live art, which was
professional development in artistic leadership,
performed at the Barbican’s Pit Theatre.
composition, performance and/or as a practising artist in a variety of artistic, cultural, community and educational settings.
Leadership students have worked for the education department of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre, running a series of family
The course includes work on improvisation, voice,
workshops based on the repertoire that the orchestra
body and percussion skills, exploration of non-
subsequently performs in a family concert.
European and folk-based approaches to arts practice, introduction to cross-arts collaboration, group composition, creative and repertoire-linked projects, performance and workshop-leading for different contexts. Exceptional students on Part One of the Leadership pathway will also be given the opportunity to continue their studies into Part Two (Leadership Portfolio). Students undertake a portfolio of three substantial performance events as a Leader, Performer and Creator/Collaborator that are designed to strengthen their own artistic development in these three areas.
Director of Creative Learning Sean Gregory MPhil BA (Hons) FGS LGSM (PCS)
Course Leaders Sigrun Saevarsdottir-Griffiths PGCert (PCS) Nell Catchpole BA (Hons) PGCert (PCS)
Several Leadership students recently travelled to Argentina for an intensive cross-cultural musical exchange.
Alumni include Detta Danford (Leadership 2008) has led projects in Singapore, Japan and The Netherlands and has worked with professional ensembles from the Gambia and Israel. UK work includes leading projects for Barbican/Guildhall School Creative Learning Division, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Barbican Arts Centre. She currently co-leads a Creative Learning ensemble called Future Band. Made up of 30 young instrumentalists, the members of Future Band work on creating original pieces with strong international influences.
Auditions, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 47
Music Therapy This course leads to the MA in Music Therapy
It prepares students for employment in health,
validated by City University, London, and approved by
education, social and community service and the
the Health Professions Council (HPC).
voluntary sector. Graduates from the programme are
This two-year programme aims to realise the full potential of students’ individual musicianship and equip them with the clinical therapeutic knowledge and skills to qualify and work as registered music therapists. Students gain clinical experience with adults and children in a variety of settings including psychiatry, special education, learning disability and communication disorders.
The course is ‘stimulating and
inspiring and the Guildhall’s access to a wide variety of placements is providing me with invaluable experience and insight into different client groups.
’
Lucinda Gallant, MA Music Therapy
48 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
eligible for HPC Registration and full membership of the professional association (APMT).
Head of Department Ann Sloboda BMus (Hons) (Oxon) PGDipMT
Auditions, Entrance Requirements, Open Days and Contact Information www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 49
50 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Programmes of Study Undergraduate Key Facts
Year 3 and 4 choices include Advanced Keyboard
Bachelor of Music Honours Degree
Musicianship, Analysis, Arranging, Body Matters,
• 4 years (full-time) • 395 students/250 staff • 750 applicants/94 places The programme centres around one-to-one tuition with tutorial support. At least two-thirds of the programme is directly connected with Principal Study development,
Conducting, Counterpoint, History, Interpretation through Improvisation, Introduction to Music Therapy, Music Administration, Orchestration, Research Project, and others. Students in Years 3 and 4 who achieve high results in Principal Study can also do Advanced Principal Study and Advanced Ensemble.
with a degree of flexibility in the remainder for students
Head of Music Programmes and
to create individual pathways via tutorial support
Academic Studies
and electives offered by Academic Studies and other
Alessandro Timossi FGS Diploma con Lode di
modules offered by Creative Learning. The programme
Pianoforte Diploma di Merito Accademia Chigiana di
recognises the importance of individual practice, study
Siena Diploma con Lode di Composizione
and reflection.
Deputy Head of Department (Undergraduate) Claire Taylor-Jay BA(Hons) (Oxon) MMus PhD
Academic Studies Each student develops essential general knowledge
Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate) Kate Romano MPhil (Cantab) PhD
and skills, and has the opportunity to choose
Senior Postgraduate Tutor
individual areas of interest. The emphasis is on
Laura Roberts GGSM
promoting the integration of practical and theoretical aspects of music-making, and on supporting an incremental development in areas of particular individual interest and strength (Second Study, Conducting, Analysis, Jazz for non-jazz specialists, Electronic Music and others). All students study Aural and Harmony up to a required level, and then have a choice of Analysis, Collaborative Skills, Composition, Electronic Music, History, Jazz, Keyboard Musicianship, and Second Study. Students are further supported through Tutorial Groups, meeting regularly with their individually assigned tutor both in groups and for one-to-ones.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 51
Professional Development As part of the BMus programme, the Creative Learning Division works with students to increase their awareness of the professional world and equip them to be successful professional practitioners.
Professional Studies (Year 4 BMus) Preparing students for their professional lives this module considers entrepreneurial skills, career planning, teaching skills, biography presentation, website development and other publicity materials.
Students develop the full range of skills required
The promotion of an external event is a compulsory
to be a 21st-century musician. Work in this area is
part of the Year 4 Professional Studies module.
led by a department involving staff from both the students to meet and work first hand with leading
Collaborative Skills/Workshop Skills (Optional Electives)
arts practitioners in a variety of contexts.
These modules seek to develop the wider musical
Guildhall School and the Barbican. This link enables
and collaborative skills that many musicians draw
Performance Matters (Year 1 BMus)
upon during their professional careers. Students have
This module explores the broader skills needed by
opportunities to undertake inter-disciplinary and
professional musicians. Areas investigated include health
cross-sector projects, using their musical skills in a
and well-being, performance psychology, improvisation,
wide variety of contexts.
collaboration and communication skills.
Director of Creative Learning Sean Gregory MPhil BA(Hons) FGS LGSM (PCS)
Head of Creative and Professional Practice Gabby Vautier BA(Hons)
52 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Postgraduate The Guildhall School offers one of the world’s
Performance (Guildhall Artist), Master of Composition
most innovative packages of postgraduate
(Guildhall Artist), or Master of Leadership (Guildhall
study. Qualifications available include:
Artist).
Guildhall Artist Masters programme
Part Two is very strongly focused on further developing
• Performance (MMus, MPerf)*
Principal Study technical and artistic abilities, breadth of
• Composition (MMus, MComp)* • Leadership (MMus, MLead)*
repertoire, creative output and professional experience. Performances are supported by a series of seminars both of an inductive nature, and on specialist topics.
MA in Opera Making and Writing MA in Music Therapy MPhil/DMus MPhil/PhD *PGDip available on completion of specified modules.
Guildhall Artist: Performance Pathway The Performance Pathway offers the following Professional Specialisms: Strings,the course Wind, Brass and Percussion
Guildhall Artist Masters programme The Guildhall Artist Masters programme is offered in
Players: Advanced Instrumental Studies, Chamber Music and Orchestral Artistry (see page 60)
the three pathways of Performance, Composition and
Keyboard Players: Advanced Instrumental Studies,
Leadership and is in two parts: Part One is available
Chamber Music and courses for Accompanists and
in full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) modes
Repetiteurs
except for Leadership which is full-time only. Part Two
Singers: Vocal Studies and Opera
is available only in full-time mode (one year). Part One: Successful completion of Part One meets
Historical Performance and Jazz musicians: specific courses tailored to each area of specialist need
all the criteria for a Masters level (level 7) award and a student may conclude their studies at this point and be awarded a Master of Music (or a Postgraduate
Guildhall Artist: Composition Pathway
Diploma, according to the modules taken). The
See page 42.
programme builds on the student’s intense activities in Principal Study, offering in addition contextual studies and a wide range of elective opportunities
Guildhall Artist: Leadership Pathway See page 47.
including those offered by Academic Studies and Creative Learning.
MA in Opera Making and Writing
Students who decide to concentrate entirely on their
See page 62.
Principal Study without taking the elective options, can be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) at
MA in Music Therapy
successful completion of the year.
See page 48.
Part Two: Available to students who pass Part One in full (with electives) and obtain the required level of
Doctoral programmes
achievement in Principal Study. Students successfully
See Research details on page 78.
completing Part Two will be awarded a Master of
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 53
Performance Opportunities Preparing you to be a professional performer is
In addition to opera and drama productions, there is a
the key focus of training at the School. You will
full programme of student concerts and recitals within
be encouraged to take advantage of the many
the School. These events, which number over 100
performance opportunities that exist both formally
every term, are generally open to the public. See
and informally within the School and outside.
www.gsmd.ac.uk/events for the current season listing.
The Gold Medal
In London
The Guildhall School’s premier music prize was founded
The School’s large ensembles give regular concerts in
and endowed by Sir H. Dixon Kimber in 1915 and
the Barbican Hall and LSO St Luke’s. There is also regular
since the 1950s it has been open to singers and
use of the Barbican’s Church of St Giles Cripplegate as a
instrumentalists in alternate years. The final traditionally
concert venue. Other performances are given in venues
takes place in May each year in a sold-out Barbican Hall.
such as Kings Place, Bishopsgate Institute, St John’s
Previous winners include Jacqueline du Pré (1960),
Smith Square and St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Tasmin Little (1986), and Bryn Terfel (1989). In recent years, the Gold Medal has launched the
Outside Engagements
careers of:
One of the most valuable opportunities for performance
Ashley Fripp (piano, 2012), Natalya Romaniw (soprano, 2011), Martyna Jatkauskaite (piano, 2010), Gary Griffiths (baritone, 2009), Sasha Grynyuk (piano, 2008), Katherine Broderick (soprano, 2007) and Anna-Liisa Bezrodny (violin, 2006).
In the School Performance spaces include a 608-seat concert hall (the largest concert hall of the London conservatoires), a 196-seat Music Hall, three theatres, a smaller Lecture Recital Room and a performance space in the basement of the nearby Hall of Residence, Sundial Court. The termly opera production takes place in the Silk Street Theatre, which offers particularly fine technical facilities. The School is equipped with a large number of solo practice studios, medium size ensemble rooms, larger performance spaces and recording facilities. Most rooms are equipped with pianos (grands where possible) as well as being fully fitted out with the latest audio visual equipment.
54 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
experience is the School’s extensive programme of Outside Engagements. The engagements range from background music at company and corporate functions, music for wedding services, receptions and family occasions, to full recitals and concerto performances for music clubs and societies.
Music Ensembles There is a vast array of Guildhall School ensembles from full symphony and chorus (including opera) to chamber and small ensemble. There are dedicated ensembles for jazz, historical performance and new music. In addition, students are encouraged to form their own ensembles.
Visiting Ensembles and Artists International Chair in Quartet: Takács Quartet Resident Quartet: Belcea Quartet Visiting Quartet-in-Association: Endellion Quartet
Architect’s image of the new concert hall in Milton Court
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 55
Collaborative Programmes The Guildhall School has ongoing relationships and
An annual Guildhall Festival brings together
programmes with its many partners. They include:
students from all disciplines and offers an informal
London Symphony Orchestra
showcase for the creative talents of students
Philharmonia Orchestra
throughout the School.
BBC Symphony Orchestra Barbican Centre
European Exchange
Aldeburgh
The School participates in the European ERASMUS
London Contemporary Dance School
Exchange Programme in association with the British
Royal Academy of Music
Council. It is an internationally renowned programme
Royal College of Art
for exchange of staff and students between European
Royal Opera House
conservatoires.
City of London Festival British Council
Please see the Erasmus page on our website, email
ECCO International
erasmus@gsmd.ac.uk, visit www.doremifasocrates.org
Wigmore Hall
or visit www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus for more
Kings Place
information.
Bishopsgate Institute
International Exchange
Cross-arts Collaborations
The School also collaborates with Griffith University,
One of the unique aspects of the School is the
Australia, the Banff Centre in Canada and the
opportunity provided for cross-discipline collaboration
Peabody Institute enabling a small number
with fellow students on the Acting and Technical
of students to study abroad and experience
Theatre programmes. All first year undergraduates from
different methods of teaching and learning, and
all art forms work together on a workshop project and
a different culture.
all students right across the School are encouraged to work collaboratively across art forms to enrich their learning through the experience of other disciplines.
‘With its connection to one of
the world’s most important and vibrant arts centres, the Guildhall School provides a uniquely stimulating and rewarding environment in which musicians can develop and widen their musical experience.’ Paul Lewis, Piano 1994
56 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Senior Staff Director of Music
Head of Music Programmes
Jonathan Vaughan DipRCM(Perf) DipRCM(Teach)
Alessandro Timossi FGS Diploma con Lode di Pianoforte
Head of Advanced Performance Studies Ronan O’Hora FGS FRNCM
Head of Strings Louise Hopkins FGS AGSM
Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion Richard Benjafield GRNCM PPRNCM
Head of Keyboard Studies Ronan O’Hora FGS FRNCM
Head of Vocal Studies Linnhe Robertson MA BMus BA
Head of Opera Dominic Wheeler BA(Cantab) ARCM(PG) ARCO Hon ARAM
Director of Creative Learning Sean Gregory MPhil BA(Hons) FGS LGSM (PCS)
Diploma di Merito Accademia Chigiana di Siena Diploma con Lode di Composizione
Head of Composition Julian Philips MA(Cantab) FGS
Head of Electronic Music and Music Technology Mike Roberts MA
Head of Historical Performance Jane Booth BMus LRAM
Head of Jazz Martin Hathaway GGSM LGSM
Head of Music Therapy Ann Sloboda BMus(Hons) (Oxon) PGDipMT For a full list of teaching staff please visit the website: www.gsmd.ac.uk/music
Head of Chamber Music Alasdair Tait BMus PPRNCM
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 57
Centre for Orchestra life of the Guildhall School. Centre for Orchestra,
Centre for Orchestra focuses on the following core components:
launched in 2009, is a unique collaboration
Orchestral work: players in the Guildhall Symphony
between the London Symphony Orchestra, Guildhall
Orchestra receive individual and group sectionals
School and Barbican creating a forum in London
plus full ensemble coaching from LSO players in the
for orchestral development in the 21st century.
lead-up to a performance at the Barbican. There is
Boulez described the Orchestra as an ‘ensemble of
also a dedicated postgraduate specialism focusing on
possibilities’, providing not only the opportunity to
Orchestral Artistry (see page 60).
Ensemble training is a key element within the musical
play core and new repertoire but the opportunity to challenge perceptions, challenge yourself and create new experiences. Centre for Orchestra offers Guildhall School musicians unparalleled access to a world-class orchestra and international arts centre. The programme focuses on orchestral training, education and early career support in order to create the great orchestral musicians of the future.
Centre for Orchestra staff Gordan Nikolitch (LSO Leader)
Solo work: Masterclasses and workshops with LSO Principals, international soloists, composers and conductors are offered to develop performance technique and presentation. Entering the profession: prepares students, their repertoire, and presentation for auditions and public performances. Students may attend LSO rehearsals, LSO concerts and an Orchestra Fair in order to get to know the inner workings of a professional orchestra. The wider profession: orchestral musicians have to work in a range of contexts. This programme offers
Roman Simovic (LSO Leader)
students the opportunity to experience new areas.
David Alberman (LSO Principal Second Violin)
Chamber music: students have the opportunity to
Tim Hugh (LSO Principal Cello)
develop their chamber music performance through
Rinat Ibragimov (LSO Principal Double Bass)
shadowing LSO performances and performing on
Gareth Davies (LSO Principal Flute) Emanuel Abbühl (LSO Principal Oboe) Christine Pendrill (LSO Principal Cor Anglais)
stage at the Barbican in advance of LSO concerts. Digital links: digital platforms link the School with other musical organisations across the globe allowing students to take part in debates with visiting soloists
Andrew Marriner (LSO Principal Clarinet)
and conductors.
Rachel Gough (LSO Principal Bassoon)
Other art forms: opportunities to explore and
David Pyatt (LSO Principal Horn)
experiment with dance, spoken word, theatre and
Patrick Harrild (LSO Principal Tuba)
visual art at the Barbican Centre, and allow it to inspire new directions in your musical performance. Research projects: what does it take to achieve and sustain a career as an orchestral musician? What new possibilities are there for orchestral musicians in the contemporary world? For further information, or to request a Centre for Orchestra brochure, contact: music@gsmd.ac.uk
Supported by
58 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
‘ This is what the musical world has been needing.’ The late Sir Colin Davis, LSO Principal Conductor 1995–2006, LSO President 2007–2013
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 59
Orchestral Artistry
In association with the London Symphony Orchestra As part of the Guildhall Artist Masters programme,
• Mock audition panels with LSO players
an exciting new professional specialism is now available for instrumentalists seeking a career in
• Classes and sectionals delivered by Guildhall professors and LSO players
orchestral playing: Orchestral Artistry in association
• Side by side rehearsals with LSO players
with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).
• Principal training, including group conducting lessons
Orchestral Artistry is open to string, wind, brass and percussion students. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra is Resident Orchestra at the Barbican, situated next door to the Guildhall School. It attracts outstanding players from all over the world, and has a roster of soloists and conductors second to none. The Guildhall School’s highly distinctive and ground-breaking specialism in Orchestral Artistry places students alongside LSO players, international artists/conductors and Guildhall School professors in a context akin to a professional environment. The course is focused on excellence in: • Performance • Core musicianship
• Education and outreach delivery training (instrumental coaching or workshop leadership) with LSO Discovery and Creative Learning • The opportunity to play in LSO schools and family concerts The student numbers for this course are designed so that a large chamber orchestra can be formed. A fundamental cornerstone of the specialism is chamber music. Students will spend time in undirected small ensembles as well as conducted large ensembles. Full symphony work is supplemented by students from other postgraduate programmes and senior undergraduate players. As a Guildhall School student, you will be encouraged to take advantage of the many performance opportunities that exist
• Leadership and communication
both formally and informally within the School
It explores the diverse skills required to become a
and outside.
fully rounded musician and a versatile professional ensemble player of the highest level.
International orchestras As part of the City of London’s cultural quarter,
The course
the Guildhall School also enjoys close ties with the
The course is a two year full-time specialism,
Barbican’s International Associates. Masterclasses
delivered by world-class musicians, leading to
with members of these international orchestras are
an MMus (completion of Part 1 after one year)
set up each year and will benefit many Orchestral
or MPerf (completion of Part 2 after two years)
Artistry students. This adds an international
qualification (see page 53 for further details). As
element to the training which explores the
an Orchestral Artistry student, you will receive:
differences in playing styles and sound worlds of
• One to one tuition from Guildhall professors or LSO players who are Guildhall professors
orchestras from across the globe. These include: • Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
• Coaching and mentoring from LSO players
• Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
• Masterclasses from LSO players and LSO international soloists
• Los Angeles Philharmonic
60 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
• New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Studying at the Guildhall School Orchestral Artistry students have access to an unrivalled range of performance, teaching and rehearsal venues in the heart of the City of London.
Students who have previously studied orchestral instruments at the School have gone on to have careers in orchestras around the UK and across the world, including:
The School’s new facilities at Milton Court include
• BBC Symphony Orchestra
a state-of-the-art 608-seat concert hall with the
• BBC National Orchestra of Wales
highest quality fully-adjustable acoustics and the
• BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
largest audience capacity of any of the London conservatoire concert halls. Next door to the School is the 2000-seat Barbican Hall and nearby is LSO St Luke’s, an 18th-century Grade I listed Hawksmoor
• Berlin Philharmonic • City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra • Hong Kong Philharmonic
church, home to the LSO’s community and music
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
education programme LSO Discovery, and host of
• London Symphony Orchestra
LSO rehearsals and performances.
• National Centre for the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra Beijing • Philharmonia Orchestra • Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra • Vienna Philharmonic
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 61
MA in Opera Making and Writing
In association with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Subject to validation This new one-year Masters programme, due to launch in September 2014 (subject to validation), will allow composers and writers to focus on how new opera is created, developed and performed. Part of an exciting new partnership between the Guildhall School and the Royal Opera House, the programme will be led by Julian Philips, Head of Composition, in close collaboration with the School’s award-winning Opera department, its Technical Theatre department and the Associate Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House. The programme combines an invaluable opportunity to acquire first-hand experience of the day-to-day workings of the Royal Opera House with individually tailored one-to-one tuition from the School’s Writer-inResidence or from a member of the School’s worldclass composition department. Through mentoring and observation, students will gain valuable insight and knowledge into how to work successfully in opera with conductors and directors, singers and
The programme will also feature:
instrumentalists, designers and stage managers.
• One-to-one principal study tuition for both writers and composers
The programme Specifically focusing on operatic composition and the theatre, the core programme activity will support writers and composers to work collaboratively on the creation of a new chamber operatic work (20-25 minutes in duration) which will be rehearsed, produced and premiered by the Opera course (see page 38) in the School’s new Milton Court Studio
• Observation of contemporary opera in rehearsal and production at the Royal Opera House • Performance opportunities for smaller-scale project work through the School’s Vocal Studies and Drama departments • A new professorial post of Writer-in-Residence appointed to support, supervise and mentor writing students on the programme
Theatre. Additional projects will allow writers to
• Weekly production seminars
focus more specifically on their own creative practice
• Regular mentoring sessions for the composer-writer creative teams
– whether poetry, prose or dramatic script – and composers to develop their craft in writing for the operatic voice. For both writers and composers, this programme offers valuable performance opportunities for new work across the Guildhall School’s Music, Drama and Technical Theatre departments in addition to professional development experience in Royal Opera House contexts.
62 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
• Electives including Electronic Music, Aesthetics, Research and Cross-Arts Collaboration
Further information at www.gsmd.ac.uk/operamaking
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 63
Technical Theatre The Technical Theatre programme at the Guildhall School has long been recognised as providing some of the most innovative vocational theatre training in the UK and beyond. With the opening of the Milton Court development, the School boasts the best resources in the country, and amongst the best in the world. The teaching is practical and production based; you will work on public productions with professional directors, designers and conductors participating in the creation of acclaimed dramas, musicals and operas. The Guildhall School has five professionally equipped performance venues, state-of-the-art equipment and professional production values. These allow the programme to keep completely in line with current
Key Facts BA Honours Degree in Technical Theatre Arts • 3 years (full-time)
practice and new theatre technology. You will use the
• 108 students across the programme
School’s on-site theatres, rehearsal rooms, workshops
• 24 full-time staff
and costume department to collaborate in the
• 130 applications/36 places
production of 15 major dramas and operas each year together with a range of smaller projects and events.
Visit www.gsmd.ac.uk/technical_theatre for details
The syllabus has been designed to involve you
of open days and how to apply. Please note that
completely in the complex art of theatre; bringing
places are offered throughout the year so early
together writers, designers, actors, musicians,
applications are advised.
composers, choreographers, technicians and
This programme is accredited by Drama UK
administrators to create a production. Your training
(previously the National Council for Drama Training).
will provide you with a firm practical knowledge of theatre crafts and managerial skills and prepare you for a professional life in the theatre. This programme has delivered an excellent record of graduate success in theatre, film, television and related industries.
64 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 65
What I enjoy the most about ‘ studying at the Guildhall School is the
excellent yet approachable teachers. I am constantly told by industry professionals what a good reputation the Guildhall School holds which makes me feel truly privileged to study here.
’
Lena Slettemo Carlsson, BA Technical Theatre Arts 66 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Programme Description We strongly believe that your training should suit
Year 2
your own career aims. For this reason students
From the second year onwards students are totally
select one of three Pathways, each with a different
immersed in the Guildhall’s extraordinary productions,
emphasis:
working alongside professional directors and
• Stage & Costume Management • Theatre Technology (Lighting, Sound, Video and Automation)
• Design Realisation (Scenic Art, Scenic Construction and Prop Making)
designers on a full-time basis.
Year 3 The final year provides you with true exposure to professional theatre and the opportunity to make contacts that will be essential to your future career. All students undertake leading roles in their chosen
Within each Pathway it is possible to study elements
fields and may have the opportunity to lead the
of the other two, so for example if you want to learn
whole team by taking on a Production Management
about props and scenery construction, but retain an
role. Students also complete a Graduation Project
interest in lighting you can choose accordingly, or if
presented either as a portfolio or a written paper,
you are interested in stage management, but still want
and a period of outside work experience through
to gain some experience in sound, that’s fine too.
a secondment to a professional company or
Of course, if you prefer to dedicate the bulk of
practitioner.
your study to a particular area you can do that. The
Throughout the programme students are
course is flexible enough to allow for a wide range of
encouraged to engage with actors, singers and
interests or a more specialised approach.
musicians from other programmes to generate their own projects. Key areas of development throughout
Year 1
the programme which are essential for employment
The first year of the programme brings all students to
include:
the same threshold of knowledge. In addition to your
• Learning to be part of the team of technicians, actors, singers and musicians working alongside professional directors, designers and conductors and participating in the creation and public performance of acclaimed dramas, musicals and operas.
chosen Pathway classes, you will study a broad range of core subjects including: Theatre History, Period Style, Contemporary Theatre, Health & Safety, and Stagecraft & Production Process. Classes are usually project based and wherever possible have a handson, practical approach. For example, when studying trends in contemporary theatre we’ll take you to see a wide range of shows, many of them leading international productions at the world-famous Barbican Centre, with whom we maintain a close working relationship. When we’re looking at period
• Using Information Technology in planning, managing and achieving productions. You will develop transferable skills in the latest office software as well as using specialist packages in many departments. • Detailed knowledge of current developments in the theatre industry.
styles we’ll take you to galleries and museums to look at examples. In this year you will also take a core module called Associated Studies, which allows you to take three short courses in areas of technical theatre from one of the other two Pathways.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 67
Stage and Costume Management Pathway Stage Management • Costume Management Stage Managers are gregarious, outgoing and
professional standard. Interestingly these are exactly
thoroughly organised people. As a Stage Manager
the skills you will need in the closely related area of
your ‘people skills’ are essential as you need to
Costume Management. In each year you will develop
understand and work with actors, directors, designers
your skills across both areas, and by the final year you
and all the technical departments in the theatre.
will be able to negotiate just how much you want to
In this pathway you will learn about organising
specialise.
rehearsals and performances to a completely
Design Realisation Pathway Scenic Art • Scenic Construction • Prop Making Design Realisation is about making and painting the
solving abilities. In each year you will develop your
scenery and props that have been designed by the
skills across prop making, scenery construction
set designer. Students following this pathway have
and scenic art; by the final year you will be able to
good creative and practical skills with strong problem
negotiate just how much you want to specialise.
Theatre Technology Pathway Lighting • Sound • Video • Automation In the Theatre Technology Pathway you will learn
just how much you want to specialise as you
about lighting, sound, projection and stage
take a leading role in productions to a completely
technology. In each year you will develop these skills
professional standard.
and by the final year you will be able to negotiate
‘ The training on the Technical Theatre course is unrivalled in London…I value the opportunity I had to train there enormously.’ Neil Constable, Chief Executive, Shakespeare’s Globe, Stage Management 1985
68 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 69
Architect’s image of the new theatre in Milton Court
70 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Programme facilities You will train in our well-equipped, flexible theatre spaces. The Silk Street Theatre seats up to 308 in formats such as proscenium, promenade, thrust and in the round. It has counterweight flying, a large orchestra pit and easy access to the workshops. It is particularly well equipped for lighting and sound and provides a dramatic and adaptable environment
Transferable skills As well as equipping you with the skills and knowledge to enter the theatre and entertainment industries, the Technical Theatre Arts programme will also provide you with a range of transferable skills which are valuable to any employer. These include: • Verbal and written communication skills
which is stimulating and exciting at the same time as
• Problem solving skills
being practical, safe and ideal for learning.
• Time management skills
The new development at Milton Court provides us
• IT skills
with additional facilities to house both Technical
• Research skills
Theatre and Acting training. It includes new rehearsal
• Management skills
rooms, a TV studio, costume department and teaching rooms. Perhaps most importantly it boasts a new 608-seat concert hall, a fully automated
Preparing for work
proscenium theatre seating 227 and a new studio
On successful completion of the programme you will
theatre with a tensioned wire grid and flexible seating
be fully equipped with the professional standards,
with a capacity of 128. This means that the School
skills, knowledge, experience and contacts to enter
offers more performance venues than any other
the theatre industry. This can be as a permanent
school in the UK.
employee of a theatre or company, or initially on a
In addition the School regularly stages productions
freelance basis. You will receive lectures and advice on
in the Barbican Centre’s theatres. Other School facilities that you will use are the scenic workshop, paintshop, prop making department, sound and video editing studio, the new lighting and theatre technology laboratory, stage electrics workshop, wardrobe, production and stage
what being freelance means, and how to go about getting work. Our graduates have had a near 100% employment rate. Students who have a right to work in the UK are eligible to become student members of British Actors’ Equity and will automatically be granted full
management offices.
membership on completion of their training.
All departments are equipped with networked
Finding out more about the profession
computers with access to the internet. There is a well-equipped computer room exclusively for Technical Theatre use. You will be given an email address and secure storage for your own files as well as having access to production and programme
If you want to find out more about possible careers backstage there are a number of good websites to explore; try these three as a start:
related information on shared drives and on the
getintotheatre www.getintotheatre.org
School’s intranet.
CDS www.drama.ac.uk RSC (search for “think theatre” section) www.rsc.org.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 71
On coming to the Open Day ‘I knew this was the college for
me – not only were the facilities amazing but the people and the atmosphere were unbeatable.
’
James Brittle, BA Technical Theatre Arts
72 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Professional secondment Students from the programme have recently been on secondment to: The National Theatre
Paule Constable – Lighting Designer
The Royal Court Theatre
Les Misérables
The Royal Shakespeare Company
Autograph Sound
Shakespeare’s Globe
Imagination Events
Royal Opera House Covent Garden
White Light
Opera North
Royal Albert Hall
Welsh National Opera
Donmar Warehouse
Almeida Theatre
Glyndebourne
Stage Technologies
Old Vic Theatre
Barbican Centre
The School is currently developing an exchange and
English National Opera
work programme within the Erasmus scheme which
Mamma Mia!
will further enhance the professional secondment
Rick Fisher – Lighting Designer
offering to Technical Theatre students.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 73
74 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Employment Students from the Guildhall School Technical Theatre
Career Progress
programme have a very good record of employment
Previous Guildhall graduates have progressed to
and former students can be found in a wide variety
senior positions:
of theatre and opera occupations. Examples of recent graduate successes include: Stage Management positions: West End,
Company Manager, Les Misérables Stage Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company
national and international tours
Sound Designer, Autograph
National Theatre Production Office
Senior Technical Show Manager, Royal Albert Hall
ASM, Cheek by Jowl
Chief Electrician, Donmar Warehouse
ASM, Royal Opera House
Senior Production Manager, Imagination
Electrician, Royal Court Theatre
Freelance Lighting Designer
Hire Manager, White Light Group
Freelance Sound Designer
Sound Technician on War Horse
Theatre Designer
Lighting Technician, UK tour Sound of Music
Enhanced Career Opportunities
Wardrobe department, Royal Opera House Covent Garden ASM, Royal Shakespeare Company Stage Manager, Rogeland Theatre Norway Asst Sound Designer, Manchester Library Theatre
Students may go on to work in related industries such as film, television, events, conference and also in work away from the entertainment industries. For example: Assistant Director in the film industry TV Researcher
ASM, Scottish Ballet
TV Location Manager
ASM, Oliver!
Theatre Agent
Electrician, world tour of Swan Lake on Ice
TV Presenters’ Agent
Asst Prop Maker, English National Opera
Theatre Producer Theatre Promoter Theatre Marketing Executive Director, Almeida Theatre Documentary Film Maker Director of UK Admin, Jim Henson Company Head of Projects, Tussauds Group Sound Engineer, Pop Videos TV Sound Supervisor Chief Executive, Shakespeare’s Globe
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 75
Staff Director of Drama
Head of Theatre Technology
Christian Burgess AGSM FGS
Steve Huttly FGS BA(Hons) PGCert
Director of Technical Theatre
Head of Production
Ben Sumner MBA
Stuart Calder CSMGSM
Head of Design Realisation
For a full list of teaching staff please visit the website:
Vanessa Cass BA(Hons) PGCert
Head of Stage & Costume
www.gsmd.ac.uk/technical_theatre
Management Jonathan Woolf CSMGSM PGCert
76 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Who will teach you There are 24 full-time members of staff in the
A member of the teaching staff will also be your
Technical Theatre department. All have had extensive
personal tutor and will follow your progress and
and varied careers in professional theatre. The
act as a mentor for your personal development.
department maintains constant industry contacts via incoming directors, designers, and through professional colleagues and ex-students working with all the major UK theatre and opera companies, productions and suppliers.
On productions, all students, whichever year they are in, work together. Peer learning is therefore important with senior students in organising roles and more junior students being able to observe how skills and knowledge are acquired and used.
Designers and Lighting Designers who have worked at the School recently include: Peter Mumford, Isabella Bywater, Susannah Henry, Mark Jonathan,
Application and selection
John Owens, Tom Rogers, Dora Schweitzer, Johanna
Everybody who applies will be required to come to
Town, Hugh Vanstone and John Leonard.
London to attend an interview day at the School.
The particularly high staff/student ratio is one of
Interviews will be held from November until May with
the strengths of the programme. As you move through the programme, staff input changes from formal teaching to empowering and supporting your production work. This allows you freedom to demonstrate and develop your professional
applications being accepted up until the end of this period. However, it is in your interest to apply early as places are offered throughout the year. Visit www.gsmd.ac.uk/technical_theatre for details of our interview day and Open Day.
standards and skills.
‘Guildhall’s training and resources are unrivalled and therefore their students are highly sought after.’ Neil Austin, Stage Management 1992
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 77
Research & Knowledge Exchange to explore fundamental questions that inform artistic
Research Degree – MPhil/DMus and MPhil/PhD
practice in the 21st century. Research increasingly
The Research Degree programme focuses on practice-
underpins collaboration across the campus. There
based research in the creative and performing
is therefore a unique opportunity to engage in
arts, and a particular strength lies in the field of
enquiry, experiment and reflection in the context of
composition. The majority of projects result in
an arts complex at the cutting edge of performance,
a combination of performance/creative outputs
artistic production and innovation. There are diverse
and written work. In a few cases, where research
opportunities for students across all programmes.
may best be expressed through the written word
Current areas of research focus include:
alone, the output is a single thesis. An individual
The Guildhall School provides a dynamic environment
• The Creative Stage (including new opera) • Words Becoming Music • Understanding Audiences • Contemporary and historical performance practices
research proposal is supported by a strong research environment, a personalised development plan, opportunities to draw on the artistic resources of the School and a supervisory team combining artistic
• The art and science of artistry
and academic expertise.
Much existing work is inter-disciplinary and
As part of the Research Degree
collaborative, and all of it, led by eminent figures from the music and drama professions, informs teaching and the programmes of study, from
programme, an innovative new doctoral studentship in association with the Royal Opera House is available. This studentship,
undergraduate to doctoral level.
a unique collaboration between a
Research Environment & Knowledge Exchange
appoints one doctoral student on a biannual basis to
The international conference, the Reflective Conservatoire, is an established feature of the events calendar and a world leader in the Conservatoire sector. The most recent conference, Performing at the Heart of Knowledge (Feb 2012), brought together researchers, performers and teachers in music and drama to address key contemporary issues. Keynote speakers included Sir Nicholas Kenyon and Professor Richard Sennett. Guildhall ResearchWorks provides an annual series of presentations, performances, workshops, debates and roundtables. These are open to all students, staff and in many cases to the public. Guests of international standing include Helmut Lachenmann, Professor Carl Schachter and Jonathan Dove. Alongside them, students and staff have the opportunity to present their work.
78 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
prestigious opera company and a conservatoire, be Composer-in-Residence at the Royal Opera House, culminating in the completion of a new chamber opera to be staged at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre in Year 3 of study.
Assistant Principal (Research & Academic Development) Dr Helena Gaunt PhD LGMS(PCS)
Head of Doctoral Programme Dr Kate Romano MPhil (Cantab) PhD Visit www.gsmd.ac.uk/research for more information.
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 79
The world of work Training at the Guildhall School is entirely focused
job vacancies, subsidised courses, competitions and
on equipping you for the career of your choice. As a
placements. The School also provides a secure area
key aspect of this, all of our programmes are closely
on its website, the Alumni Common Room, where
engaged with the professions, whether through
alumni can update their contact details and search
talks and workshops from visiting industry figures,
for other alumni in the directory.
work placements, mentoring, masterclasses, or performance collaborations. Most of our teaching staff continue to work on or offstage in their industry and are perfectly placed to provide insight, advice and useful contacts within their profession. As you move through your programme, your links with the relevant industry will grow. You will receive careers advice with dedicated modules in many programmes, as well as one-to-one advice from teaching staff and mentors. Opportunities include: • Actors take a career preparation module which includes advice on auditions and casting sessions, agents, unions, tax and accounting, CVs, and setting up a professional company.
The Alumni Office has a specific presence on social networking sites including Facebook, LinkedIn and Friends Reunited, facilitating connections between fellow alumni and the School. All graduates, former staff and former students who studied at the School for at least twelve months are considered to be members of the Guildhall’s alumni community. For further information go to www.gsmd.ac.uk/alumni or email alumni@gsmd.ac.uk.
Alumni The School has an impressive record of alumni
• Technical Theatre students take a professional development module which includes help with CVs and job applications, interview technique, taxation, and unions. They also undertake a 4-6 week professional secondment.
success and achievement. Many of our former
• Undergraduate musicians take modules which include advice on business and marketing skills, and professional portfolios. Postgraduate musicians are required to plan external events and there are also opportunities for placements and artistic programming in certain programmes. All musicians can attend masterclasses, and in addition, the Centre for Orchestra initiative offers mock auditions, a side-by-side scheme and mentoring from LSO players.
and experience with current students.
After you graduate
students return to give talks, masterclasses or to take part in performances, enabling them to stay connected to the School and share their knowledge
Some of the School’s alumni include: Dame Eileen Atkins, Naveen Andrews, Neil Austin, Alison Balsom, Claire Bloom, Orlando Bloom, Guy Chambers, Susan Chilcott, Daniel Craig, Judy Craymer, Dido, Joseph Fiennes, Sir James Galway, Dave Holland, Sarah Lancashire, Paul Lewis, Tasmin Little, Sir George Martin, Alistair McGowan, Ewan McGregor, Julia McKenzie, Marian McPartland, Omar, Anne Sofie von Otter,
All new graduates are automatically registered
Rachel Podger, Rebecca de Pont Davies,
as part of the Guildhall Alumni community. The
Jacqueline du Pré, William Primrose,
School’s Alumni Office promotes networking, social
Patricia Rozario, Clive Rowe, Simon Russell Beale,
opportunities, and active involvement in the future
Claire Rutter, Bryn Terfel, Marcia Warren, and
development of the Guildhall School. The Alumni
Janice Watson.
Office offers a range of benefits (free of charge),
To read biographies of some of our former students, visit www.gsmd.ac.uk/alumni.
including regular magazines, programmes of events and information about careers opportunities, such as
80 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 81
Fees & Funding Studying at the Guildhall School is affordable and the School is committed to ensuring that the cost of tuition should not deter you from applying. There are a number of measures in place to help you meet the cost: • If you are a Home/EU undergraduate student eligible for a UK government tuition fee loan, there are no upfront tuition fees. • You will only have to repay the loan once you have left university and are earning over £21,000 per year. • For all other students, tuition fees for a given academic year are advertised well in advance to help you plan your finances, and you can pay your fees in three installments plus deposit. • The School offers a wide range of scholarships to all students through its own Scholarships Fund, as well as 33 scholarships via the National Scholarships Programme (see below).
Home/EU Undergraduate students A tuition fee loan is available to undergraduate students* from the following countries classified as European Union for fee purposes (subject to residency requirements): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, [Croatia accession expected 1 July 2013], Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, United Kingdom. Some British and EU territories are also included. You will only have to repay the loan once you have left university and are earning over £21,000 per year. For home students (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) other support is available in the form of a living cost maintenance loan or grant (actual amounts dependent upon household income).
82 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Funding support and guidance
Additional funding support
The School has a dedicated Student Funding Offer who
If you experience an unforeseen change of
can help you identify sources of funding to support your
circumstances while you are enrolled at the School
studies. As well as trusts and charities, these sources
you may qualify for an award from the School’s
include the National Scholarship Programme and the
Hardship Fund to help you overcome your
School’s generous scholarship scheme.
immediate financial difficulties.
The School offers a wide range of scholarships to all
Full and part-time UK undergraduate and
students each year through its own Scholarships
postgraduate students with low incomes who need
Fund. These awards are supported by a variety of
extra financial support to access and remain in
external donors including City Livery Companies,
Higher Education may be eligible for an award from
grant-making trusts and foundations, businesses and
the UK Government’s Access to Learning Fund
individuals. Tuition fee and maintenance awards are
administered by the School.
offered on the basis of each applicant’s talent, their potential and their personal financial need. These
Fee assessment
elements are assessed through audition and interview
All successful applicants will be asked to complete a Fee Assessment Form before commencing their studies at the Guildhall School to establish if their tuition fees will be at the ‘home/EU’, ‘ELQ’* or ‘overseas’ rate.
on the basis of a comprehensive application form. The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) is open to new undergraduate entrants from the EU (excluding Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) who meet the national and School eligibility criteria. The School has been provisionally allocated 16 scholarships for 2014/15 which it will match fund with a further 17 scholarships. Each of the 33 NSP award holders will be given a £3K fee waiver in year one of their studies, and a further £1K fee waiver in each subsequent undergraduate year. Full details of the National Scholarship Programme and the School’s Scholarships Fund, and how to apply, can be found at www.gsmd.ac.uk/funding. In addition, the Student Funding Officer is available to assist with
*If you already have a degree or diploma at or above the level of the programme you wish to study at the Guildhall School and would usually pay home/EU fees you will be classified as an ELQ student and will be liable to pay the equivalent of the overseas fee.
Student visa requirements For students requiring a visa to study in the UK, the UK Border Agency requires, as part of the visa application process, that students demonstrate that they have the means to pay for their tuition for their first year of study and the means to support themselves. For further details see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/ studying.
any funding queries you may have; please contact studentfundingofficer@gsmd.ac.uk.
For the full tuition fee schedule and further guidance on funding please see our website www.gsmd.ac.uk/funding. Non-UK applicants may additionally find the UKCISA website of interest: www.ukcisa.org.uk
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 83
Apply and Audition The Guildhall School values its diversity of cultures and welcomes applications from across the globe. Please take a virtual tour of the School on our website www.gsmd.ac.uk, or come and attend one of the hundreds of concerts, plays, operas or masterclasses that are open to everyone. Book a place on one of our Open Days to visit the
www.gsmd.ac.uk The Guildhall School website is designed to have everything you need for details about life at the School, including: • online applications • Open Day dates and bookings • in-depth information on our programmes of study, our facilities and support services, and partnerships and collaborations
Applications and any enquiries about attending the
• interactive video tour featuring over 40 mini films of rehearsals, performances, guided tours and interviews with students and staff
Guildhall School are made directly to the School and
• alumni, student and staff profiles
School and experience the buzz for yourself.
not via any outside intermediary or agency. Full information concerning entry criteria and audition requirements, deadlines and fees and the online application form are available at www.gsmd.ac.uk/apply
• news stories tailored to every area of study • events calendar with details of our large programme of public performances throughout the year • dedicated area for our new facilities at Milton Court • links to our social networking sites and our podcasts on iTunes.
84 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
The Guildhall School founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation David Graves Chairman of the Board of Governors
Senior Staff at the Guildhall School Principal
Director of Creative Learning
Professor Barry Ife CBE FKC HonFRAM
Sean Gregory MPhil BA(Hons) FGS LGSM (PCS)
Director of Music
Head of Junior Guildhall
Jonathan Vaughan DipRCM (Perf) DipRCM (Teach)
Derek N Rodgers LTCL GTCL PGCE
Director of Drama
Director of Corporate and Student Affairs
Christian Burgess AGSM FGS
TBA
Director of Acting
Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Wyn Jones FGS
Sandeep Dwesar BA(Hons) ACA
Director of Technical Theatre
Assistant Principal (Research and Academic Development)
Ben Sumner MBA
Helena Gaunt PhD LGSM (PCS)
‘ The Guildhall is a place of constant innovation, energy and open-mindedness. I became friends with and got inspired by some of the most talented artists and teachers in the world. ’ Alison Balsom, Trumpet 2001
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 85
How to find us
Guildhall School of Music & Drama Silk Street Barbican London EC2Y 8DT
Photo credits
Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 2571
Alexander Newton • Clive Totman
Web: www.gsmd.ac.uk
Design and print, www.fullcycle.co
By Underground/Train Barbican, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, St Paul’s and Bank stations are all nearby.
By Bus Bus numbers 4, 43, 55, 76, 100 and 153 stop nearby.
By Road The Guildhall School of Music & Drama falls within the congestion charge zone, 7am-6pm Mon to Fri excluding bank holidays. Tel: 0845 900 1234 Web: www.cclondon.com
86 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk
Clive Barda • Nobby Clark • Stephen Cummiskey • Greg Funnell • Katie Henfrey • Nick James • Nina Large • Kevin Leighton • Alastair Muir •
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Applications
Research
Email: registry@gsmd.ac.uk
Email: research@gsmd.ac.uk
Silk Street Barbican London EC2Y 8DT
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7183
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 5283
Exchange programmes
Student Affairs
Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 2571 Fax: +44 (0)20 7256 9438 www.gsmd.ac.uk
Email: erasmus@gsmd.ac.uk
Email: student.affairs@gsmd.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7183
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7219
Finance
Students’ Union
Email: finance@gsmd.ac.uk
Email: union@gsmd.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7208
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7961
Music Department Email: music@gsmd.ac.uk
Technical Theatre Department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7144
Email: tt@gsmd.ac.uk
Accommodation Email: accommodation@gsmd.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 6132
Acting Department Email: drama@gsmd.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2323
Registry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2323
Email: registry@gsmd.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 7181
To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk 87
The Guildhall School is provided by the City of London as part of its contribution to the cultural life of London and the nation
88 To find out more visit www.gsmd.ac.uk