Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association
Become a member and help students in need to pursue their dreams at RBC
RBCA then and now
Established in 1981 and formerly a registered charity, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association (RBCA) is officially part of, and wholly administered by the RBC. We are honoured to have Professor George Caird HonFRBC as our President, Jeremy Patterson as our Chairman Emeritus, and Professor Julian Lloyd Webber as our Patron.
RBCA’s plans for 2022/23
Since its inception, the RBCA has provided invaluable financial support for students in need.
In 2021, its 40th year, the RBCA Committee decided to offer ‘RBCA Awards’, annual bursaries of £2,000, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might otherwise be deterred from applying to the Conservatoire due to their financial circumstances. The RBCA Award is given, on the basis of their financial need, to students who otherwise meet or exceed the entry standards for RBC, and is paid to them for each year of their course at the Conservatoire, subject to satisfactory reports about their work and effort.
As the scheme develops, our aim is to give at least £10,000 per year in RBCA Awards. We also intend to support other students with one off payments, and continue to fund the RBC Fee Waiver Scheme, which pays the audition fees of applicants to the Conservatoire suffering financial hardship.
Every pound received in members’ subscriptions and donations goes to support the students of RBC. In addition, the money that the RBCA invests in the RBCA Award scheme will be matched by the RBC, doubling its value and impact.
Join today and make a difference
The RBCA is open to everyone. Whether you are an alumnus of the Conservatoire, a current or former member of staff, a parent or friend, or if you simply enjoy music and would like to be involved in supporting the work of the Conservatoire, please join us and help students in need!
Membership benefits:
While generously supporting RBC students, members are entitled to an outstanding programme of benefits.
- A complimentary digital copy of the RBCA Magazine, ‘Fanfare - RBCA Members’ News’, published biannually
- Subscription to RBC This Week – a weekly e-newsletter from the heart of RBC
- Invitation to the RBCA Annual Meeting and other events that take place during the year at the Conservatoire
- 25% discount on ticket prices as published for concerts given by RBC
- Complimentary membership of BCU’s library, which now incorporates the music library (Life membership only)
- Complimentary membership of your online community, RBCA Together:
- Connect – Join likeminded people at social events
- Develop – Grow professional links through CPD sessions, masterclasses and lectures
- Experience – Get behind the scenes with special members’ events with RBC staff and students
- Give – Discover more about our funding priorities
Members’ News is published twice a year as an online, digital magazine. However, members with sight impairment or other issues in accessing the online versions may request a hard copy.
2023/24 Rates:
Annual membership (1st May to 30th April)
- Individual £25
- Joint £35
Life Endowment membership
- £500
To join today or renew an existing membership, please complete the form here.
Committee Members:
The activities of the RBCA are overseen by a Committee, comprising three ex-officio members (the Interim Principal, Vice-Principal for Acting and the Director of University Development) and at least four members elected from within the membership of the RBCA, one of whom shall Chair the Committee.
Ex-officio Members
- Stephen Maddock OBE HonFRBC (Principal)
- Prof Shirley Thompson (Vice-Principal, Music)
- Robin Leonard (Director of University Development)
Elected Members
- Tony Bridgewater (Chair)
- Jane Williams (Vice-Chair)
- Robert Allan
- Norman Ashfield
- Paul Carr
- John Gripton
- Jonathan Hill
- Rosemary Phillips
- Audrey Lawrence-Mattis
Honorary members:
RBCA Honorary Members include Honorary Fellows, as well as those individuals on whom an Honorary Fellowship or Honorary Doctorate of Birmingham City University/Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has been conferred.
Contact:
If you have any further questions please contact Mariya Kauser, Development Officer.