The Academy’s outstanding tradition of training string players of the highest calibre is given testimony by the number of alumni pursuing careers as soloists or principals in orchestras and ensembles world-wide. Through a programme of solo, chamber and orchestral performance, the Academy comprehensively prepares students for a professional career. Many students perform with the European Union and Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestras.

Chamber music is a major component of all students’ work, and international quartets are invited each term to work with student ensembles. Top players audition annually to join the Royal Academy Soloists, an elite string ensemble of fourteen players directed by Clio Gould who perform around the UK.

‘Gripping performances left me mentally exhausted but full of admiration for these awe-inspiring young players’ The Strad, May 2004

The Strad reviews Royal Academy Soloists, September 2009:
'...an ensemble which plays with the attention to detail one would expect from a string quartet, and the character and unanimity of its performances were a constant joy... the quality of the playing, precision and intonation were astonishing.'

Instrument Collection
The Academy has 'one of the premier and most accessible collections in the world' (The Strad, March 2006). Many of the 250+ stringed instruments are available to students. The staff of the on-site workshop advise students on maintenance of their own instruments, and a bow specialist visits regularly for rehairs and repairs.

Recent Student Successes
Recent string graduates perform with all the major UK orchestras, and many orchestras and ensembles internationally.

Some recent students:
Thomas Gould (graduated 2006), soloist and leader of Britten Sinfonia
Simone Lamsma (2005), first prize winner in both China International Violin Competition and Benjamin Britten International Violin Competition
Clare Duckworth (2003), principal second violin, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Louisa Tuck (2006), principal cello, Northern Sinfonia
Rachel Helleur (2004), cello, Berlin Philharmonic
Dominic Seldis (1992), principal double bass, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Georgina Poad (2007), double bass, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Badke String Quartet (2005), first prize winners, Melbourne International String Quartet Competition 2007

2008–2009 Highlights
> Violin masterclasses by Thomas Brandis, Sergey Kravchenko, Tasmin Little, Jasna Maksimovic,
   Aleksandar Pavlovic, Sylvia Rosenberg, Zvi Zeitlin, Max Zorin
> Viola masterclasses by Steven Dann, Jerzy Kosmala, Tatyana Masurenko and Hartmut Rohde
> Cello masterclasses by Colin Carr, Robert Cohen, Steven Doane and Martijn Vink
> Double bass masterclasses by Matthew McDonald, Peter Pühn and Dominic Seldis
> Visits by the Vanbrugh and Skampa quartets
> Royal Academy Soloists concerts, directed by Clio Gould
> A busy programme of recitals and chamber music