THE Royal Conservatoire of Scotland begins celebrating its new name on 1 September 2011 with 30 days of events taking place all over Scotland.
The RSAMD has officially changed its name to reflect the range of disciplines it teaches better.
The newly-named Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is unique in the UK in its offering of specialist training in the five disciplines of the performance arts.
Dance, screen, production arts, as well as music and drama, are all part of the Royal Conservatoire’s portfolio.
And to mark this historic milestone, the Royal Conservatoire will present 35 events over 30 days throughout the country.
From as far afield as Uist and Skye to Dumfries and Galloway and with many railway stations and ferry ports in between, musicians, singers and other artists from the Royal Conservatoire will perform at a diversity of locations during September including the Scottish Parliament and the Pitlochry Highland Games.
Musicians will even take to the water on board the Govan Ferry and the Falkirk Wheel and there will be a whistle stop tour of ScotRail stations as well.
Commenting on the name change, principal, John Wallace CBE, said: “The name change is a once in a generation event. This has been Scotland’s national conservatoire for many years, all but in name. Now it’s official and I am delighted to be part of this momentous event.”
After a lengthy consultation involving staff, students, alumni and industry professionals, the new name was approved by the Royal Conservatoire’s Patron, The Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, the Conservatoire’s president, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and, finally, the Scottish Parliament.
“The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was chosen as the new name because it reflects who we are and positions us internationally as Scotland’s national conservatoire with a reputation that is second to none,” said Professor Wallace.
“We have always attracted the finest staff and best students from around the UK, Europe and beyond. Our alumni reach the very top of their chosen professions. The introduction of modern ballet, musical theatre, jazz and digital film and television over the past few years has opened up a new set of opportunities and we continue to set the bar and build upon our success.”
The Royal Conservatoire’s many orchestras, ensembles and productions are also renamed in this process. From 1 September 2011 they will be known as the Royal Conservatoire Brass, the Royal Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and Royal Conservatoire Productions.
The celebrations culminate with an academic procession through the streets of Glasgow from the Old Athenaeum on Buchanan Street to the main campus on Renfrew Street on Monday, 3 October 2011.
The cost of the name change has been met through private donation.
For more information contact Katie Bell on 0141 270 8387 or email k.bell@rcs.ac.uk
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NOTES TO EDITORS
A full list of celebratory events taking place around Scotland during September 2011 is below. (Dates for the performances on ScotRail Property are listed; however, there will be more than one performance taking place on each date).
Names that have been used since 1847
- 1847 – Glasgow Athenaeum (launched in Glasgow by Charles Dickens)
- 1929 – Scottish National Academy of Music
- 1944 – Royal Scottish Academy of Music
- 1955 – College of Dramatic Art
- 1968 – Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
- 2011 – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
ENDS
31 August 2011
Programme of Name Change Events
Thursday September 1 – Name change event at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Pipers and jazz quartet. Pipers at St Enoch Centre and subway stations
Friday September 2 – Choral workshop, Uist (evening)
Saturday 3 September – New works (8pm,Tron, Glasgow): MA CCT students
Sunday 4 September- Scotland’s Countryside Festival (Glamis Castle, Angus): Cherry Grove, Scottish Music Ensemble
Monday 5 September – Western Islands tour: Crianlarch, Fort William, Mallaig and Sabhal Mor Ostaig with Barluath, Scottish Music Ensemble
Tuesday 6 September – Western Islands tour: Broadford Primary School and AROS Heritage Centre with Barluath, Scottish Music Ensemble
Wednesday 7 September – Western Islands tour: Uig – Tarbet ferry and Stornoway – Ullapool ferry with Barluath, Scottish Music Ensemble
Thursday 8 September – Drinks and canapé reception Scottish Parliament. Screening of RCS film, acoustic musical theatre, modern ballet and jazz quartet
Friday 9 September – Lighthouse, Glasgow: piper playing from tower
Saturday 10 September – Pitlochry Festival Theatre(11.30am) and Pitlochry Highland Games (5pm): Barluath, Scottish Music Ensemble
Sunday 11 September – Linlithgow Folk Festival (2.30pm, Linlithgow): Barluath, Scottish Music Ensemble
Monday 12 September – NEOS at Banff Castle (7.30pm): duet, vocal ensemble
Tuesday 13 September – Musical theatre showcase (7.30pm, Chandler Theatre, RCS)
Wednesday 14 September – Percussion and flute open space performance (CCA, Glasgow)
Thursday 15 September – Westbourne music recital (12.45pm, Merchant Hall, Glasgow)
Friday 16 September – Govan Ferry (Scots song). Plus Victorian evening, Caithness, with a graduate pianist
Saturday 17 September – MA CCT New works (8pm,Traverse, Edinburgh). Plus percussion and flute ensemble in the Borders
Sunday 18 September – Cathedral of the Isles Sunday recital series (3pm, Millport): tenor recital
Monday 19 September – Performance across major Scottish Railway Stations. CCT students and bagpiper. Plus Traquair Castle: guitarist playing for visitors
Tuesday 20 September – Performance across major Scottish railway stations involving CCT students and bagpiper. Plus mid-morning reception for Glasgow cab drivers at RCS
Wednesday 21 September – Lammermuir Festival (7.30pm Dunbar Parish Church): RCS Stevenson Winds. Plus Announcement of finalist for Big Guitar Weekend International competition
Thursday 22 September – Scottish Ensemble (7.30pm Perth Concert Hall): Arion Quartet playing in foyer as audience arrive.
Friday 23 September – Para Handy (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness): Barluath playing in foyer as audience arrive Plus Forth and Clyde Canal celebrations (press launch): Cherry Grove, Scottish Music Ensemble
Saturday 24 September – Forth & Clyde Canal celebrations (launch at Speirs Wharf): Cherry Grove, Scottish Music Ensemble. Plus Norman Beedie Concert (7.30pm, Aberfeldy): Barluath, Scottish music
Sunday 25 September – Forth & Clyde Canal celebrations (Falkirk Wheel): brass trio
Monday 26 September – RSNO collaboration with brass trio. Concert from back of the RSNO lorry
Tuesday 27 September – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Organ recital (1pm): involving student and staff organists
Wednesday 28 September – University of St.Andrews lunchtime concert (1.15pm, Younger Hall): soprano recital
Thursday 29 September – The Briggait (1pm, Glasgow): Shakespeare scenes
Friday 30 September – St.Mary’s Cathedral (7.30pm, Glasgow): Choral quartet with organ
Saturday 1 October – Junior Conservatoire concert (4pm, RCS)
Sunday 2 October – Students’ Union party night for new and returning students: nine-piece funk band
Monday 3 October – Academic Procession (RCS, Renfrew Street): All RCS specialisms represented and students performing in the building.
ENDS
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Contact: Katie Bell
Phone: 0141 270 8387
Email: k.bell@rcs.ac.uk
Website: http://www.rcs.ac.uk
