RNCM marks its 50th anniversary looking to the future of music

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with a bold mission: to define the future of music. It’s a position reflective of a journey that has seen it continually striving for excellence from its founding in 1973 into the organisation it is today, standing as one of the world’s most forward-thinking conservatoires.

Professor Linda Merrick, Principal, said: ‘This is a very exciting time for the RNCM. At 50 years young our journey is still very much beginning, but we already have so much to celebrate. We continue to be recognised as one of the world’s leading and most progressive conservatoires, inspiring young musicians to develop the skills and creativity needed to establish successful and sustainable careers across today’s music industry. We are also proud to be at the heart of music-making in Manchester, from our unique public venues to the work we do transforming lives in the wider community. I know that our staff, students and alumni are looking forward to sharing this anniversary year with you all. It is going to be something truly special.’

The celebrations planned launch in September 2022 and reach their climax in June 2023. Every element is designed to express the values of the College, with the student and staff community at the heart of everything and its home city of Manchester echoed and explored throughout. The celebrations also seek to highlight the important role that music can play in the lives of all, the opportunities that it creates and the huge contributions it makes to society as a whole.

Manus Carey, Deputy Principal (Performance and Programmes), added: ‘So much of what we do at the RNCM is based on collaboration and this was something that we really wanted to show within our 50th public performance programme. Throughout the year you’ll see lots of special events that bring our students together with international musicians and composers, as well as some of the amazing professional partners we work with on a regular basis. We are also planning some very special events for young people and our local communities, which we can’t wait to share with you.’

New work has always been a part of the College’s pioneering spirit and is therefore a strong thread that will run through its anniversary year. Upward of 25 premiers by professional composers and 50 by student composers, music creators and song writers will showcase new and contemporary work. These will sit alongside a programme that features multiple performances with partners that include Manchester Camerata, Opera North, BBC Philharmonic, Edward Grieg Kor, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Manchester Collective.

There will be three artists in residence, all RNCM alumni, who will be taking audiences and students on an exciting programme of performances and public masterclasses. These artists will be joined by international guests who will be making special appearances throughout the year.

Next summer, a new festival – the RNCM Big Weekender – will connect directly to the city’s youth and community, filling the College’s performances spaces with music and creativity. The event will also launch the RNCM’s new Soundcheck initiative, providing free tickets to 14 – 18-year-olds and a 50% price deal for students in the city.

In leading the charge to secure a bright and vibrant future for music, the RNCM has used its anniversary year to establish the RNCM50 Fund, with the aim of supporting children and young people to purse their musical ambitions.

There is lots to look forward to in the RNCM50 programme over the coming months, across a range of genres and settings. A number of highlights have been picked out to give a sense of the excitement that lies ahead.
RNCM Opera: Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus
Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 December 2022

You are invited to the glamourous champagne-filled New Year’s Eve party of Prince Orlofosky, but all is not what it seems in a comedy that is filled with deceit, betrayal, revenge and mistaken identity.

Bringing Strauss’ work to life for an unforgettable night of drama, laughter and spell-binding music are the College’s vocal and orchestral students.

Tickets are £25 / £12.50 for under 26s and students and can be booked.

RNCM Session Orchestra: 50th Anniversary Edition
Saturday 25 February 2023

Seeing RNCM’s legendary Session Orchestra play is a special experience, made even more so on the occasion of the College’s 50th anniversary. More details will follow, but expect incredible hits performed by an amazing line-up of musicians.

Tickets go on sale soon.

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at The Bridgewater Hall
Sunday 12 March 2023

History will be made with the presentation of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass to Manchester audiences for the very first time. And, having been commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy to inaugurate the John F Kennedy Centre in 1971, the spectacle will bring its own sense of history to The Bridgewater Hall.

Audiences will be thrilled as RNCM singers and musicians bring to life a monumental piece of work that is at once classical and popular in its blurring of lines, and which is revered for its catchy tunes, captivating harmonic progressions and gripping rhythmic patterns.

Tickets go on sale soon.

Made in Manchester
Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 May 2023

A festival to celebrate the amazing breadth of new music created at the RNCM, Made in Manchester will also be a nod to the city’s own musical heritage, past and present. The three days will be bursting with performances, installations and new pieces by staff and students at locations throughout the College.

Tickets go on sale soon.

RNCM 50th Birthday Celebration
Thursday 22 June 2023

This will be the party of all parties, with five decades of outstanding music to rejoice in and staff and students from across the years to lead the celebrations.

Tickets go on sale soon.

Opera Gala
Wednesday 28 June 2023

A night at the opera and very special date in the College’s 50th anniversary programme, with the return of RNCM alumni who are now performing at companies including ENO, the Royal Opera House, and Glyndebourne. Performed with The Orchestra of Opera North this dazzling display of arias will pick out favourite operatic moments.

Tickets go on sale soon.

RNCM Big Weekender
Friday 30 June to Sunday 2 July 2023

The anniversary programme ends with the spotlight strongly shining on young people and the community in a weekend that will feature a range of diverse performances from the RNCM’s Young groups and Junior School. It’s all about participation with lots to get involved in, live music to enjoy, creative activities and much more.

More information coming soon.
To find out more about RNCM50 visit rncm.ac.uk/rncm50. Keep up to date with the latest RNCM news by subscribing here or by following RNCM on social media: Twitter @rncmlive, Facebook @rncmlive, and Instagram @rncmlive.