The Constant & Kit Lambert Junior Fellowship is held for one year and is only available to students on the Artist Diploma (ArtDip) in Performance and Artist Diploma (ArtDip) in Composition programmes.
All fellows are expected to develop musical and communication skills by undertaking further intensive study, working with students internally and doing all they can to raise the profile of the RCM externally. They play a full and active part in the musical life of the RCM as well as functioning as RCM ambassadors. They have full use of the RCM Library with its wealth of material and work in close contact with the Creative Careers Centre, the RCM’s centre for professional skills and publicity services.
Applications for 2023-24 are now open. The application deadline is 3 February 2023.
Born in France, Maxence Bretel completed his Bachelors and Masters studies at the Royal College of Music, benefitting from the guidance of Radu Blidar for the last six years. As both an orchestral player and soloist, Maxence has played with some of the most notable musicians and conductors, such as Maxime Vengerov, Antonio Pappano, Nicola Benedetti, and the late Bernard Haitink. He has also enjoyed performing at both national and international venues such as the Barbican Centre, The Royal Albert Hall, Abbey Road Studios, Shanghai Symphony Hall, and Paris’ Cite de la Musique.
Maxence enjoys a wide-ranging repertoire, believing each period of time to complement each other well. In this respect, many of his concerts will include late-Baroque compositions alongside contemporary and experimental music. In particular, Maxence has developed a strong interest in contemporary violin repertoire, recently performing masterpieces such as Luciano Berio’s Sequenza VIII and Pierre Boulez’s Anthèmes 1. Alongside his solo and orchestral work, Maxence is an active chamber musician, playing at festivals such as Festival de Saint-Denis in Paris, and around the UK with the Occam quartet, which he co-founded in 2020.
A highlight of the 2022/2023 season for Maxence will be a production of Pierre Boulez’s Anthèmes 2 in partnership with the RCM Studios team, as well as a solo appearance in Astor Piazzolla’s Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas.
The funding for the junior fellowships includes a substantial sum to be put towards the course fees, usually the full Home fees, plus a bursary in the region of £5,000. These figures should be taken into account when planning your budget.
The programme of study for junior fellows is determined by the structure of the Artist Diploma in Performance and Artist Diploma in Composition courses, which are based on one-to-one provision and practical project work, tailored to your particular career aspirations.
Junior fellowship funds may also be used for tuition in related areas of study, such as masterclasses, coaching, language study, related instruments and costs associated with starting out in the profession.
As a junior fellow working with other RCM students you will be required to:
Applicants should already have successfully completed formal studies at a level equivalent to a postgraduate diploma or degree or be completing these studies in the academic year in which the application is made. Applications will be considered from those with equivalent experience.
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate substantial successful experience in their specialism, the motivation and determination to continue intensive studies, and the desire to develop their skills by working regularly with other musicians within and outside the RCM.
If you are not a UK resident, you must obtain permission to be in the UK from the UK Border Agency in order to hold a fellowship. Students on the Artist Diploma programme at the Royal College of Music are eligible for Student Visas.
Find out more about visa applications
These conditions are set by the UK Government and can change. Please ensure you visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
Applications for 2023-24 are now open for the Constant & Kit Lambert Junior Fellowship. The application deadline is 3 February 2023.
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio supported by a letter of application, which should indicate your suitability for the fellowship and your readiness to present yourself as an emerging professional.
Your application should contain:
Find out more about portfolio contents
Applicants interested in this junior fellowship must complete a two-part application process, which consists of:
Plus:
Applicants who have not applied for both components by the closing date will not be considered for this junior fellowship.
Full-time students going into their second year of study may also apply, and will need to specify in their application that they are applying for their second year of the programme.
Please note that the junior fellowships for students on the Artist Diploma in Performance and Artist Diploma in Composition programmes are not renewable, and may be held for one year only.
You should submit your portfolio online using a single combined PDF through the RCM submission portal. The information you upload to the portal does not constitute your entire application, but does form an integral part of it. You should ensure you have provided everything that is required. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
When using the submission portal you will be asked to create a user name and password, and to provide an email address. You should select 'junior fellow' from the list of programmes and the appropriate principal study instrument. There are no restrictions to the file size or type.
If you experience any problems uploading your portfolio please contact Lizzie Sambrook.
Assistant to the Artistic Director, Director of Programmes & Events Coordinator
020 7591 4370
Shortlisting for junior fellowships will take place once the RCM’s audition process is complete. Only students offered a place on the Artist Diploma in Performance will be considered.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 5th April 2023.
Should you be invited to interview, you will be required to bring original documentation (visa, passport or leave to remain in the UK) confirming that you have permission to be in the UK.
In your interview you will be required to:
Results will be conveyed as soon as possible after the interviews have taken place.
If you are expected to perform on the day of the interview, you will be notified in advance.
Interviews will be held at the Royal College of Music in London.
As a Junior Fellow you will be expected to:
Royal College of Music
Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BS
United Kingdom
