SCHOOL OF WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION: Ensemble Allocations
Wind allocations will be made by the Head of Woodwind and Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion - Kevin Gowland
Saxophone allocations will be made by Senior Tutor in Saxophone and Deputy Head of Chamber Music (Wind Brass and Percussion) – Rob Buckland
Brass allocations will be made by the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion – Nicholas Thompson
Percussion allocations will be made by the Director of Percussion and Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion – Simone Rebello
Allocations will be made after consultation (where required) with individual tutors.
New students have the opportunity to play to a member of the SWBP team early in the Autumn Term. All allocations for the Autumn and Spring terms will be made by the relevant Head of Department. This will be based on each individual student’s experience and ability, which will be monitored throughout the year.
Students may request (either to the above staff or Orchestra Office) to be involved in a particular ensemble or particular concert, and where possible these requests will be accommodated. However, there is no guarantee that a request will result in an allocation, and requests will not be granted on a first-come, first served basis.
Where possible, all students will be allocated into the following ensembles throughout the year:
UG 1
Year 1 Orchestras.
UG 2
Two SHORT PROJECTS, and one EXTRA ensemble.
UG 3 & 4
One EXTENDED PROJECT, two SHORT PROJECTS, and one EXTRA ensemble.
PG
Two EXTENDED PROJECTS, two SHORT PROJECTS and one EXTRA ensemble.
If you have any queries about this or your allocations throughout the year, please discuss it with a member of the Orchestras Team or your Head of School.
NB Please note that any requests (as outlined above) which are honoured, will form part of the above profile i.e. they will not be ‘extra’ opportunities.
SAXOPHONES
Due to the nature of Saxophones in ensembles, the guarantees made above cannot be applied to saxophones. There are regular opportunities in the Wind Orchestras, Big Bands and Jazz Collectives. There are also opportunities with other ensembles where saxophone is required.
BRASS BAND INSTRUMENTS
Due to the nature of Brass Band instruments in ensembles, the guarantees made above cannot be applied to Euphoniums, Tenor Horns and Baritone Horns. The RNCM does have a performing Brass Band and a repertoire Brass Band, which rehearses every week. You will all be involved in this during the year.
WHAT ARE SHORT, EXTENDED AND EXTRA PROJECTS?
Each ensemble will be labelled as a short, extended or extra project. This decision will be made based on the length of rehearsal period required, the profile of the event and the amount of preparation required by the student. Each project will be assessed individually, although an approximate breakdown of what would usually be short, extended or extra projects is listed below:
EXTENDED PROJECTS
Symphony Orchestra
Wind Orchestra
Opera Orchestra
New Ensemble
Big Band
Brass Band
SHORT PROJECTS
Concert Orchestra
Brand New Orchestra
Brass Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Session Orchestra
Sinfonietta
EXTRAS
Composers’ Lab
Wind and Brass Repertoire
Wind Repertoire
Conductors Ensemble
Big Band Repertoire
DOUBLING INSTRUMENTS
Students may be allocated doubling instruments in ensembles after consultation with their individual tutors. If you have an interest in playing your doubling instrument in an RNCM ensemble, please let a member of the Orchestras and Ensembles Team know, along with your Head of School.
AUDITIONS
The School of Wind, Brass and Percussion will hold Orchestral Auditions during the Autumn and Spring Terms (dates to be advised by the School). These auditions will be screened, and staffed by two teachers of your instrument. The results from these auditions will be used to inform the seatings for the following projects:
Symphony Orchestra Concert in March (Jac van Steen) [25 Feb - 7 Mar]
Brass Band for the Festival of Brass [27 Nov – 27 Jan]
Symphony Orchestra Concert at the Bridgewater Hall (Conductor: Elim Chan) [17 – 28 June]
PERFORMANCE PROFILE
Students may request a copy of their performance profile from the Orchestras Office. This lists all projects which students have been involved in.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SCHEMES
You may also be selected to take part in Professional Experience Schemes which happen throughout the year. For wind and brass this includes those that have already been advertised (Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Opera North), as well as ensembles such as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, and the Academy of Ancient Music.
FEEDBACK / COMMENTS
If you have any feedback regarding allocations, you are encouraged to talk to any of the SWBP staff or the Orchestras Office, and your comments will be treated confidentially. If you feel unable to talk to a member of staff, please contact a member of the Students’ Union. You may also make a request via your Head of School to see the spreadsheets which show the allocations for all ensembles, for all students.
Please do not wait until the end of each term to voice any concerns: by then, changes cannot be made!
School of Wind, Brass Percussion &
Orchestras and Ensembles
14 September 2018