As we come to the end of the academic year we thought we’d take a look back at the past year in our Eastside venues – The Bradshaw Hall, The Lab, Eastside Jazz Club and our Organ Studio – and pick out a few of the highlights…and some of the more surprising events that have taken place!
November
The Bradshaw Hall
Orchestra in residence
This year saw the introduction of our first ever orchestra in residency, with the Orchestra of the Swan. The partnership included a series of five concerts, each including the OOTS musicians and a celebrity performer, and featuring a new work from an RBC composition student. In the opening concert of the residency, Tai Murray was conducted by our Principal Julian Lloyd Webber
A Festival of Children's Literature: The Three Laureates
A sell-out literature event which featured Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson and Chris Riddell, with a guest appearance from the Gruffalo!
The Snowman live and Paddington’s First Concert
A unique family treat where BBC Radio 4's Zeb Soanes narrated the story of Paddington Bear’s adventures whilst a chamber orchestra played the live score by Hubert Chappell. Following that Howard Blake's famous The Snowman score was played whilst watching the iconic film.
The Organ Studio
Double Bass Extravaganza - ARCO Fundraiser
Tim Cobb (principal double-bass New York Philharmonic Orchestra) joined RBC’s wonderful Bass department in a showcase concert of virtuoso Bass repertoire. Our fundraising for this concert supported ARCO’s very own double bass student Njabulo Nxumalo to attend the course!
December
Eastside Jazz Club
Courtney Pine and Omar gig
Multi-instrumentalist Courtney Pine CBE is a British born jazz giant. For his latest project, Black Notes from the Deep (Freestyle Records) he returned to the tenor saxophone for the first time in a decade, the gig also featured the vocal talents of UK soul star Omar.
The Recital Hall
Vice Chancellor’s Gospel Recital
Our festive Vice Chancellor’s Recital featured AMC Professional Gospel Choir, led by RBC Alumni Audrey Mattis alongside students from BCU.
February
The Bradshaw Hall
Sir Lenny Henry in conversation with June Sarpong
Birmingham City University presented an exclusive evening with Sir Lenny Henry, in celebration of his tenure as the institution’s Chancellor. Sir Lenny discussed his career as a writer, comedian, actor and activist, and his role at the University so far. He was joined in conversation by broadcaster, author and charity ambassador June Sarpong.
Eastside Jazz Club
Tin Men and the Telephone
Unique participatory performance with the highly-acclaimed Amsterdam-based Tin Men and the Telephone where random words become lyrics and everyday sounds become melodies, as performers create compositions in real-time based on your smartphone suggestions.
March
The Recital Hall
Lauren Zhang recital
Since her huge win, BBC Young Musician winner and RBC Junior Conservatoire student Lauren Zhang has been invited to perform at the BBC Proms with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Proms in the Park with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and is in demand as soloist throughout the UK and further afield. We were delighted to have her return to RBC to play this intimate recital.
May
The Bradshaw Hall
Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble
The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble’s energetic and powerful live sets are legendary, featuring an 18-piece horn section, five cellists, seven percussionists and five electric guitarists, plus fiddles, flutes, clarinets, euphonium, and accordions! They also all sing too! This gig took place just before they embarked on one of their epic annual festival tours.
The Lab
Birmingham Record Company Day
Birmingham Record Company Day was a special one day festival launching an exciting partnership between BRC and the internationally acclaimed NMC Recordings, featuring performances and works from many of the conservatoire artists associated with the label, which was founded and is based at RBC.
Eastside Jazz Club
Soweto Kinch
To celebrate the fantastic news that award-winning saxophonist, composer and well-known BBC presenter Soweto Kinch is joining the Jazz Department’s tutorial team, Soweto presented two student bands he’s been working with since the beginning of the summer term in this special gig.
