Welcome by Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood:

Since it was founded back in 1822, the Royal Academy of Music has become one of the most recognisable names in music.

Great traditions do not guarantee future success, but at the Academy they do inspire us to achieve an especially happy blend of continuity and cutting-edge work. Cherish as we do our distinguished alumni, fine teachers and enterprising study programmes, at the Academy we never simply rest on our reputation.

Every day we question the quality and effectiveness of our work, reappraising our primary goal: how to realise the potential of each and every musician at the Academy. Remaining the most stimulating, dynamic and friendly musical environment, we want every student — wherever they come from —
to make their individual mark and to leave equipped for the realities of professional life.

Exploring a musical personality, at the same time as ‘toughening up’ for a career, is an exciting collaborative challenge for students and staff alike. I myself thrive on it. There is no dogmatic ‘school of teaching’ at the Academy; our staff represent many different pedagogical and creative lineages for students to embrace as they choose.

But there is one ‘Academy way’. It is where young 21st-century musicians are expected, as never before, to communicate their art with a blend of passionate advocacy and entrepreneurial purpose. Music will only keep on being a central part of people’s lives if it is closely allied to the many other cultural shifts which we see around us.

All of this happens at the Academy in a seemingly endless range of activities. Orchestral and chamber music, ‘period’ and contemporary music, musical theatre, opera, music for new media: all are guided
by some of the world’s greatest musicians. We also draw increasingly on our technological resources, our museum, our archives and our peerless stringed instruments from Cremona.

Through Open Academy, students engage in ground-breaking community projects as part of the core curriculum. No-one needs persuading that such activities are central to the task of building important and
fulfilling careers.

Happy and productive studentships, and successful professional placements, contribute to our consistently exceptional ratings in national student surveys and education league tables.

We have tried very hard to ensure that our website accurately reflects what happens at the Academy.  But a website can only tell you so much. Come and see the Academy for yourself, arrange consultation lessons with our professors, come to concerts and events, talk to current students — and ask all those difficult questions!

You will receive a warm welcome.