Royal Birmingham Conservatoire blog

Working in Sport with my Stage Management degree

Amy Regan is a Stage Management graduate that has gone on to work on events such as t he  Women’s Champions League F...

Why study acting at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire?

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a prestigious and historic institution that is the home of acting courses at BCU,...

Why study music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire?

With limitless collaboration opportunities for staff and students, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham ...

What is an Experimental Performance degree?

We caught up with students, James Mcilwrath and Tanna Chamberlain, for an insight into their experience on the course.

How to prepare for your Master's degree in Music

If you’re eager to get a head start with your studies, have a look below at the different tips and resources you can st...

How to prepare for your Master’s degree in Acting

If you’re eager to get a head start with your studies, have a look below at the different tips and resources you can st...

Reasons To Study At Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ’s £57 million teaching and performance space is the first of its kind in the dig...

5 reasons you should come to a Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Open Day

From campus tours to a chance to ask all your burning questions, find out why you shouldn't miss a Royal Birmingham Con...

What can I do to prepare for my music degree?

If you're nervous about starting a music course with us in September and want to get prepared, here are our top ways yo...

What can I do to prepare for my Acting and Theatre degree?

If you're nervous about starting an Acting and Theatre course with us in September and want to get prepared, here are o...

Applied Theatre students making an impact in the community

As part of their Community Project module, Applied Theatre students have been delivering drama and theatre workshops w...

A year in the life of a stage management graduate

Within just a year of graduating, stage management alumna Afua Nuamah worked on West End shows like Hamilton and been h...

Seven famous alumni you didn't know graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

From  soap stars to award-winning songwriters , Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is brimming over with famous alumni. ...

Birmingham-born actor Nigel Boyle wins big with Line of Duty at this year's National TV Awards

This year, the NTA's Special Recognition Award went to the cast and crew of popular crime series Line of Duty. Among th...

Major new survey suggests institutional racism is still widespread for actors in British entertainment

The study has revealed the extent of institutional racism performers of colour continue to face in the industry.

How networking whilst studying can lead to a choice of industry opportunities

Janeel Brown explains how connecting with industry professionals in Birmingham theatres led to him being offered not o...

Making an impact with Applied Theatre

Recent graduate Janeel Brown initially applied to study Computer Science at BCU, before he realised that he could use ...

Our tribute to Light It In Red

Ruth Porter is a current BA (Hons) Stage Management student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Ruth was put in char...

My experience of Applied Theatre at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Emaleigh Conn is a final year student of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire studying on the BA (Hons) Applied Theatre c...

Inspiring the Next Generation: YiLing Chaing

Inspiring the Next Generation: Kieran Lynch

Welcome to a weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Chloe Pardoe

Welcome to our weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music educati...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Benjamin Hill

Welcome to our weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music educatio...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Rachel Roberts

Welcome to our weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music educatio...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Terezija Štimec

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Stavroula Thomas

Stavroula studied for a Master of Music (Specialist Performance, First Study: Solo Piano) from 2009-2011 and an Advanc...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Simon McCullough

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Reflecting on the global Symposium event

Antonio Daprile is a third year student who is currently studying BMus (Hons) Composition at the Royal Birmingham Conse...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Sam Wyne

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Hannah Woollacott

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Rosie Rushton

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Dan Milverton

Welcome to our weekly series highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education

Inspiring the next generation: Ben Jones

Our weekly feature highlighting the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education. This week we...

Inspiring the next generation: Rob Jones

This weekly feature highlights the great work  that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education. 

Inspiring the Next Generation: Jay Hall

Reflecting on our adventures with the School of Acting

Nadav Burstein  BA Acting  student, Hollie Westwood  BA Applied Theatre  student and Myra Bonnici  BA Stage Management ...

Inspiring the Next Generation: Arjun Jethwa

Welcome to our brand new weekly feature where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of mu...

Inspiring the next generation: Fran Barsby

Welcome to our brand new weekly feature where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of mu...

Top tips on how to apply to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for Acting

Aine O'neill-Mason is a current student of  Acting  at the  Royal Birmingham  Conservatoire . She looks back to when ...

Inspiring the next generation: Gina Baker

Welcome to our brand new weekly feature where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of mu...

These are a few of my favourite things about studying at the RBC…

Rebecca Lee is a third-year student at the  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire  who is currently studying  BA (Hons) A...

A day in the life of a music student: COVID-19 edition

Lydia Bruton is in her third year of studying  BMus (Hons) Music  at  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire .  She d...

A day in the life of an Applied Theatre student

Molly McDermott is a current student of the  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire  who studies  BA (Hons) Applied Theatre...

Top tips on how to apply to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Lydia Bruton is currently studying  BMus (Hons) Music  at  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire . She reflects back ...

Passing the Baton: Ella Lee and Lyle Bignon

In the final episode of this series, MMus Piano student and Events Assistant Ella Lee talks to Senior External Relatio...

My musical journey at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Emily Hopper is currently studying BMus (Hons) Music (Harp) at  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire . She describes to us...

Student life in lockdown: BMus edition

Tom Bennett joined the   Royal Birmingham Conservatoire   in 2018 and is currently studying   BMus (Hons) Mus...

My favourite things about studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Richard Thomas is currently  studying Advanced Postgraduate Diploma Music (Professional Performance) at  Royal Birmin...

Why I chose Music Technology at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Joseph Ockford is a current  MMus Music Technology  student at the  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire . Here Joseph refle...

Passing the Baton: Ruth Wootton and Ella Lee

In Episode 7, RBC International Relations Manager Ruth Wootton talks to MMus Piano student and Events Assistant Ella L...

My typical Tuesday routine as a Music student

Katherine Hackman  joined  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire  in 2019 and is currently studying BMus (Hons) Music (V...

Why I chose to study Music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Helena Townsend joined  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire  in 2016 and is currently studying Vocal Performance. 

Passing the Baton: Maisy Neale and Ruth Wootton

In Episode 6, BMus 2 clarinettist Maisy Neale talks to RBC International Relations Manager Ruth Wootton.

Passing the Baton

RBC Early Music Tutor and Instrument Curator Martin Perkins talks to BMus 2 clarinettist Maisy Neale.

Passing the Baton: Lise Olson and Martin Perkins

Lise Olson, Course Director, MA in Acting, talks to Early Music Lecturer and Instrument Curator Martin Perkins. This i...

Passing the Baton: Gina McDonald and Lise Olson

BMus pianist Gina McDonald talks to MA Acting Course Director Lise Olson. This interview was conducted before the seco...

Meet our Vice Principal and Head of Acting, Stephen Simms

Stephen Simms is our Vice Principal and Head of Acting at  Royal Birmingham Conservatoire  who has an abundant amoun...

Passing the Baton: Dani Blanco and Gina McDonald

In Episode 2, PhD student, composer Daniel Blanco Albert talks to BMus 3 pianist Gina McDonald.

Passing the Baton: Lyle Bignon and Dani Blanco

Lyle Bignon, BCU Senior External Relations Officer and Visiting Tutor in Music Industries, talks to PhD student, compos...

Mastering the Professional Voice Practice

Ellie Forrest chose to return to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 to complete her in MA Professional Voice Pr...

Passing the Baton: Paul Wingfield and Michael Wolters

This week, we come full circle as Paul Wingfield passes the baton back to Deputy Head of Composition Michael Wolters. ...

From Junior Conservatoire to touring the world: Elaine Ackers interviews Max Ruisi

Visiting Lecturer Elaine Ackers interviews former Junior Conservatoire student Max Ruisi about touring the world, recor...

Welcome to my Workspace - David Mayne, Performance Department Assistant

David has been balancing working from home with home-schooling his children, while enjoying easy access to the garden ...

Passing the Baton: Connor Wilcox and Paul Wingfield

Welcome to the ninth instalment of the second series of ‘Passing the Baton’.  This week MMus pianist Connor Wilcox tal...

Welcome to my Workspace - Richard Shrewsbury, Head of Learning and Participation and Senior Lecturer in Music Education

Richard enjoys having quick access to a range of musical toys to experiment and create with, while having a deeper app...

Passing the Baton: George West and Connor Wilcox

This week 2020 BMus Composition graduate George West talks to MMus pianist Connor Wilcox.

Welcome to my Workspace - Duncan Fielden, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Music)

Duncan enjoys the flora and fauna in his beautiful back garden, with a family of seven long-tailed tits visiting daily ...

Passing the Baton: Josh Landsburgh and George West

This week BMus Jazz multi-instrumentalist Josh Landsburgh talks to 2020 BMus Composition graduate George West.

All the way from NYC to RBC

Our Postgraduate student, Dara Silverman, decided she wanted to come and join Royal Birmingham Conservatoire all the wa...

Passing the Baton: Bill Hunt and Josh Landsburgh

This week RBC Research Student and early strings specialist Bill Hunt talks to BMus Jazz saxophonist Josh Landsburgh. ...

Passing the Baton: Jack Parry and Bill Hunt

This week MMus tenor Jack Parry talks to RBC Research Student and early strings specialist Bill Hunt.

Passing the Baton: Salomé Chitaia and Jack Parry

This week 2020 Advanced Postgraduate Diploma pianist Salomé Chitaia speaks to MMus tenor Jack Parry.

Passing The Baton: Connor Christie and Salomé Chitaia

In the latest edition of the second series, BMus 3 Hearing Film Module Leader Connor Christie speaks to Pianist Salo...

My first year experience in BA (Hons) Acting

Kiara Pillai  tells us how caring and supportive her tutors were in her first few months studying Acting at RBC, how ...

Passing the Baton: Nathan Isaac and Connor Christie

Welcome to the second instalment of a new series of Passing the Baton. This week 2020 BMus (Hons) graduate and clarine...

My first year experience in BA (Hons) Stage Management

Jasper Mattel joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Stage Management. They ...

My first year experience in Acting

Edward Conroy joined Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Acting. He tells us wha...

My first year experience in Music

Ruby Thorne  shares with us what her first few months studying Music were like. Find out about her experience singing...

Passing the baton: Michael Wolters and Nathan Isaac

In a new series of Passing the Baton, Deputy Head of Composition Michael Wolters speaks to BMus (Hons) graduate and cl...

My acting career highlights

10 years on from graduating from Birmingham School of Acting, Philip D McQuillan reflects upon a career which started r...

Passing the Baton: Sam Walker and Daniele Rosina

This week we have come full circle and Sam Walker passes the baton (appropriately) to RBC Resident Conductor, Daniele R...

Passing The Baton: Daniel Tong and Sam Walker

This week, Head of Piano in Chamber Music, Daniel Tong talks to BMus 4 trumpeter Sam Walker.

Passing the Baton: Naomi Sullivan and Daniel Tong

This week, RBC Head of Saxophone Naomi Sullivan talks to Head of Piano in Chamber Music, Daniel Tong  about the Intern...

Passing The Baton: Thomas Pilsbury and Naomi Sullivan

This week, second year MMus Trombone student  Thomas Pilsbury talks to RBC Head of Saxophone, Naomi Sullivan.

Passing The Baton: Thomas Pilsbury and Caroline Pether

This week, RBC Violin Tutor Caroline Pether talks to second year MMus Trombone student Thomas Pilsbury.

Passing The Baton: Andy Ingamells and Caroline Pether

This week, RBC Composition Tutor Andy Ingamells talks to Violin Tutor Caroline Pether.

Passing The Baton: Andy Ingamells and Mark Ashford

RBC Head of Guitar Mark Ashford asks Composition Tutor Andy Ingamells how he’s been occupying himself during quarantin...

Passing The Baton: Daniele Rosina and Mark Ashford

In the first instalment of our brand new series,  Passing The Baton,  RBC Resident Conductor Daniele Rosina chats with ...

Your wellbeing as a musician

How to look after your mental health at university

How to get ahead in Applied Theatre

Course Director Peter Wynne Willson explains why the connections we have to over 60 theatre companies all over the cou...

Travelling the world as a Stage Manager

Always remember why you love to perform

Khalid explains how progressing from youth theatre to completing his training at RBC set him on the path to a varied c...

A busy term for Stage Management

2020 was another busy term for the stage management students and production department, with eight shows in five weeks...

Applied Theatre students raise awareness about genetic disease

Applied Theatre students use  theatre to create change and exploring what it means to be human. 

BA Acting Showcase 2020

BA Acting student Bobbi Blaza talks about her experience performing in her final year showcase.

What happens at an RBC Open Day?

On Thursday 23 January we hosted another successful open day at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire!

Postgraduate actors' study trip to Shakespeare’s Globe

In early November a group of postgraduate actors visited Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London for a study day host...

Continuing as a postgrad at RBC

RBC composer Emily Abdy explains what her experience has been like as both a continuing student, and a ‘new’ postgradu...

A career in film and TV composition

Conservatoire graduate Lindsay Wright studied BMus (Hons) Music Technology and built up an impressive portfolio before...

Taking the lead

We caught up with Eleanor Homer and Henry Charnock in January 2020, both students in their third year of our BA (Hon...

Brass band conducting student takes up the baton

Tom Stoneman, the first student to gain a place (with scholarship) on Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's new MMus course...

Invaluable advice from acting graduate Corey Campbell

Corey Campbell (graduated BA Acting, 2013) is the founder and Creative Director of Strictly Arts, a physical theatre c...

Why study acting at a Conservatoire or drama school?

Deciding where to train and which course is best for you can feel like a very daunting task – there are so many instit...

Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship recipient Aaron Price

Since 2018 The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has funded a scholarship at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire which is award...

The Big F.A.T. Weekend

In March 2019, our final year students of the  BA Applied Theatre  course crafted their own theatre piece in just tw...

Meet our Head of Percussion, Toby Kearney

Discover more about Toby's role, his career highlights and his thoughts on what makes a successful musician.

My first year as a Stage Manager

During the summer leading up to starting it didn’t really sink in that I was going to university, and it wasn’t until I...

Conservatoire students’ sport and physical hobbies

Conservatoire students are very dedicated; practise, study and performance takes up a lot of time. However it’s also i...

Conservatoire students’ creative hobbies

It's important for students to have some time away their studies to help them relax and unwind. Have a look at some of ...

My first year experience at RBC

I’m Phoebe – I’m a trumpet player from Northamptonshire, and I’ve just completed my first year on the BMus course at R...

Lifting the Lid - devised by first year Applied Theatre students

My name is Elena Yianni and I am studying for a degree in Applied Theatre at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. At the en...

Meet the Course Director of BA Stage Management, Jacqui Findlay

Jacqui Findlay is the Course Director for our BA (Hons) Stage Management course. Find out about Jacqui's background and...

What can I experience at an RBC Open Day?

Choosing where to study as an aspiring musician, composer or music technologist is a big decision. I recommend attendi...

A year in our Eastside Venues

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to audition to represent the school...

Meet the Course Director of BA Applied Theatre, Glenn Noble

Glenn Noble is the Course Director of our  BA (Hons) Applied Theatre course. Find out what makes Glenn love his job an...

Meet the Course Director of BA Acting, Danièle Sanderson

Danièle Sanderson is the Course Director for our BA (Hons) Acting . Find out about Danièle's background and the top ti...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Sam Wanamaker Festival

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of th...

Stage Management presents…Until Proven Guilty

Each year, RBC’s third year Stage Management students stage an immersive theatre project, the aim being that the audie...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Sondheim Competition

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of t...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: Alan Bates Award

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to represent the school in any of t...

Graduating actors compete for top prizes: The BBC Carleton Hobbs Competition

During the final year of RBC’s BA (Hons) Acting degree, all actors have the chance to audition to represent the school...

Healthy and happy musicians

Amos Miller has been Head of Brass at RBC since September 2018, having spent the previous 23 years as a freelance trom...

First show to final show – what I’ve learnt

Final year BA (Hons) Acting students spoke to us about their first show on the course compared to their final show bef...

Hidden in Plain Sight showcased at the MAC Theatre

Our BA (Hons) Applied Theatre graduate, Maisarra Margubul, outlines how her keen interest in a rt, that is both chall...

Landing my professional acting job, before graduation!

My name is Seb Yates Cridland. I grew up in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire and found a love for theatre at an early ag...

What I’ve learned studying at a Conservatoire

Final year composition student, Emily Abdy, tells us about the main things she's learned whilst studying at Royal Birmi...

BA Acting Showcase 2019

When you start training at any drama school, everyone is very much aware of the importance of showcase in their final ...

Expansion of the Elmhurst Ballet Piano Scheme

Following a successful pilot in 2017, we are pleased to see the expansion of our Ballet Piano Scheme for piano student...

Stage Management celebrates 10th Birthday

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s BA (Hons) Stage Management course celebrated its 10-year birthday in October 2018. The...

Meet the course director of MA Acting, Lise olson

Previous to her role as Course Director of MA Acting at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Lise trained actors for a decad...

Meet Alex Taylor, Head of Postgraduate study (Acting)

We spoke to Alex Taylor, Head of Postgraduate Studies (Acting) for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Alex, also Course Di...

A trip to Abbey Road

On the 26 October composer Rosie Tunley and a band of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire musicians featuring Kai Chareunsy,...

Applied Theatre students in Seoul

Follow our applied theatre students on their trip to Seoul.

Audition tips from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

We've compiled an audition FAQ blog below to help answer your queries and any worries you have  ahead of  your music...

Meet our Head of Music Technology, Dr Simon Hall

Take a look at how Simon thinks prospective students can look forward to when they join.

Meet our Head of Composition, Professor Joe Cutler

Discover Joe's career highlights so far and his favourite thing about working for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Meet our Head of Woodwind, Jenni Phillips

Learn what Jenni looks for in musicians auditioning to join her department and her main responsibilities.

Meet our Head of Vocal, Paul Wingfield

Learn more about Paul's role, his team, and what he looks for in students auditioning to join the Vocal Department. 

Three types of drama school student

Take a look at how drama school offers much more more than you might expect.

MIAGI Europe tour

Postgraduate viola student Tony Holden shares the best bits of the six-week orchestral tour around Europe.