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Student in a black suit holding percussion beaters, against a light blue background
Welcome to our Summer Season, featuring a wide range of events from our talented students and inspiring visiting artists.

Orchestral masterpieces

Stravinsky’s flamboyant ballet Petrushka is conducted by our Prince Consort Professor of Conducting, Martyn Brabbins, alongside Prokofiev’s highly virtuosic Second Piano Concerto. Conductor Ryan Bancroft also returns to conduct the RCM Symphony Orchestra at London’s Southbank Centre, leading two masterpieces from either end of the 20th century. These works – Debussy’s La mer and John Adams' Harmonielehre – took visions of the sea as their inspiration and appear alongside Hannah Kendall’s The Spark Catchers. The RCM Philharmonic performs a rare piece by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Toussaint l’Ouverture, describing the life of the ‘Father of Haiti’ and revolutionary leader, alongside Tchaikovsky and Elgar.

Opera

Our opera singers present Barnum’s Bird by Libby Larsen, directed by Ella Marchment, which tells the incredible story of Jenny Lind, the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, and her extraordinary success touring America with the great showman, PT Barnum. Jenny Lind was later central to the creation of the vocal department here at the Royal College of Music when the College was founded in 1882.

Festivals and more

There is further variety with our annual Composition for Screen Showcase, the Festival of Percussion featuring Jojo Mayer – culminating in a performance by the RCM Jazz Orchestra led by Peter Long – and John Blow’s Venus and Adonis, presented in collaboration with the Hochschule für Künste in Bremen. FestivALL, our student-curated celebration of composers from underrepresented backgrounds, also returns as part of this year’s Great Exhibition Road Festival. This two-day street festival brings together neighbouring institutions in South Kensington in a vibrant celebration.

Something for everyone

Drop in, too, to enjoy regular chamber music concerts and organ recitals in one of our beautiful performance spaces, both intimate and large-scale. With our annual Super String Sunday celebration, spectacular concerts by brass and wind ensembles, masterclasses from Maxim Vengerov, Angela Gheorghiu, Jean-Yves Thibaudet and more, inspiring performances from our Junior Department musicians, and a special Messiaen performance at Wigmore Hall, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this Summer Season.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Royal College of Music.

Stephen Johns
Artistic Director
Two people in the RCM Museum next to instruments, looking up at the artwork

22 May 2023 - 07 July 2023

Book your ticket online or just turn up on the day. Explore our unique collection of instruments, artworks and manuscripts. We're open Tuesday - Sunday.

A little girl smiling and playing on a blue violin with other out of focus children in the background

30 May 2023, 10:30am

Discover the wonderful world of musical instruments in this fun exploratory session for ages 2–5 in the Royal College of Music Museum.

A close up of the lozenge detail on the Celestini virginal painting

30 May 2023, 12:00pm

Come and visit our musical menagerie of animal-inspired instruments in the RCM Museum during this special tour for young learners.

A close up of the lozenge detail on the Celestini virginal painting

30 May 2023, 2:00pm

Come and visit our musical menagerie of animal-inspired instruments in the RCM Museum during this special tour for young learners.

The entrance doors to the RCM Museum

31 May 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy a tour of the RCM Museum led by our knowledgeable team.

A little boy being held by his father in the RCM Museum and looking at the guitars

29 May 2023 - 02 June 2023

Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities in the Royal College of Music Museum this half term.

A man with short brown hear wearing a black t-shirt performs on a trombone in the Royal College of Music Museum

02 June 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy polished chamber performances amongst a beautiful collection of historic artefacts and instruments.

The interior of St Mary Abbots church in Kensington

02 June 2023, 1:05pm

Enjoy a varied programme of chamber music from talented RCM musicians at this lunchtime concert.

A close up of the lozenge detail on the Celestini virginal painting

02 June 2023, 3:00pm

Come and visit our musical menagerie of animal-inspired instruments in the RCM Museum during this special tour for young learners.

A young woman from the Junior Department performing on a flute

03 June 2023, 5:30pm

Experience the talent of exceptional musicians from the Royal College of Music Junior Department as they compete at the highest level for coveted RCM prizes.

A man with blond hair wearing a suit against a plain yellow background

04 June 2023, 11:00am

Enjoy an inspirational performance of music performed by RCM pianist Paul Mnatsakanov in the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room.

The entrance doors to the RCM Museum

07 June 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy a tour of the RCM Museum led by our knowledgeable team.

The interior of an ornate room with parquet flooring, red chairs, a mirror on the wall and a grand piano at the back of the room

07 June 2023, 7:30pm

Musicians from the RCM join violinist Emily Sun and pianist Joseph Havlat in recital at the intimate 1901 Arts Club on London’s South Bank.

Two violinists and a cellist sitting down and performing in the Royal College of Music Museum

09 June 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy polished chamber performances amongst a beautiful collection of historic artefacts and instruments.

The interior of St Mary Abbots church in Kensington

09 June 2023, 1:05pm

Enjoy a varied programme of chamber music from talented RCM musicians at this lunchtime concert.

A clarinet player wearing a light green t-shirt performs on her instrument

10 June 2023, 5:30pm

Join us for a vibrant programme of contemporary music featuring works by RCM Junior Department composers.

The entrance doors to the RCM Museum

14 June 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy a tour of the RCM Museum led by our knowledgeable team.

Three violinists performing in the Royal College of Music Museum

16 June 2023, 12:30pm

Enjoy polished chamber performances amongst a beautiful collection of historic artefacts and instruments.

The interior of St Mary Abbots church in Kensington

16 June 2023, 1:05pm

Enjoy a varied programme of chamber music from talented RCM musicians at this lunchtime concert.

A close up portrait of a female singer from the Junior Department in the middle of singing

17 June 2023, 5:30pm

Singers from the RCM Junior Department showcase their dazzling solo voices in a varied programme including Mozart and Schumann.

The exterior of the Wigmore Hall entrance hall at night time against a warm glow

17 June 2023, 7:30pm

Musicians from the RCM String Faculty return to Wigmore Hall for their annual performance.

A couple of girls clapping during a Sparks event

18 June 2023, 10:30am

Join our friendly team of musicians for a morning of feel-good music-making, where total beginners, rusty returners and experienced players can feel comfortable playing together.

Someone performing on stage to a crowd in the sun on Exhibition Road

17 June 2023 - 18 June 2023

Expect music, art, science and culture with a huge range of family friendly workshops, talks and performances in the Great Exhibition Road Festival.

A close up image of two people looking over musical scores

18 June 2023, 11:00am

Students from the Royal College of Music's Composition Faculty join forces with RCM musicians to present some of their most innovative works for FestivALL.  

A sepia headshot of composer Florence Price

18 June 2023, 1:00pm

Join vocalists from the RCM Vocal and Opera Faculty as they showcase the impact of three women songwriters across the centuries.    

A painting of composer Louise Farrenc

18 June 2023, 2:00pm

This concert explores compositions for fortepiano by some of the best-known women composers of their day.

A man looking out of a window with trees in the distance

18 June 2023, 2:00pm

RCM students come together to explore a span of 20th and 21st Century Japanese works.

A headshot of composer Valerie Coleman smiling at the camera

18 June 2023, 3:00pm

Hear works inspired by North and South America from Amy Beach, Coleridge-Taylor and Valerie Coleman.

Cellists and violinists perform on the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall stage

18 June 2023, 4:00pm

Ever wondered how a symphony orchestra rehearses? Want to have a peek behind the scenes? Come and watch a short open rehearsal with the RCM Symphony Orchestra to get a unique insight into the rehearsal process.

Two violinists sitting down and performing in the Royal College of Music Museum

18 June 2023, 4:00pm

Enjoy performances of works by underrepresented composers amongst a stunning collection of historic artefacts and instruments in the RCM Museum.

An abstract image of old Microsoft folders interspersed with images of anime characters

18 June 2023, 4:00pm

Explore evocative ideas in music during this concert for FestivALL, a celebration of works by diverse and underrepresented composers across the classical music sector.

A photograph of historical instruments placed on top of electronic equipment

18 June 2023, 6:30pm

RCM ensemble Consort 21 presents a diverse concert of new works by RCM composers performed on period instruments.

Pianist Ilana Vered sitting on a velvet sofa next to some flowers, wearing a white dress and looking into the camera

20 June 2023, 10:00am

Acclaimed concert pianist Ilana Vered makes her debut visit to the Royal College of Music to share her expertise in a masterclass with Keyboard Faculty students. 

Three violinists performing

20 June 2023, 1:05pm

Enjoy a wide range of chamber music from a variety of ensembles of RCM musicians at this lunchtime concert.

Rodrigo Moro Martin standing in front of a plain grey background wearing a black suit and holding his double bass

20 June 2023, 6:00pm

Rodrigo Moro Martín – newly appointed Principal Double Bass of the London Symphony Orchestra – shares his international experience with current students. 

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