Senior Administrator: Helen Wills BA, Hon ARAM
Outreach and Musem Support Administrator: Alexandra Clarke BA, MA
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Telephone 020 7873 7442 / Email openacademy@ram.ac.uk
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Event and project partners are drawn from a wide social demographic and age range. Many come from catchment areas where the majority of people do not have English as a first language and where access to any instrumental music making is limited. Open Academy is about sharing the highest quality musical experiences, opening minds and ears and allowing people of all ages to explore and grow.
The Academy's mission has always been to provide musical training at the highest level. Open Academy expands the 'market' for this training beyond enrolled Academy students and out into the fullest range of society - challenging preconceptions of what music conservatoires do. Academy students also benefit directly by engaging in innovative education projects.
The changing profession
The Academy is acutely aware that performers now make their living in a wider pool of opportunity than ever - or certainly since the 18th century! The traditional concert hall is now only one of many different places where students gain experience of an evolving profession. Apart from recording studios, students are regularly involved in music-making in pubs and clubs, parks, stations, shopping centres, at weddings, corporate events and many other functions. As part of our Music in Community programme, students are obliged to present music and perform in many community settings such as hospitals, old people's homes and schools.
Whilst access to these opportunities is one thing, learning how to approach dozens of different performance situations is under-pinned by 'Open Academy', an outreach programme which introduces them to the many skills used by music animateurs in real-life situations. Students have opportunities to perform in the total of around 250-300 paid outside engagements every year which are organised by the Academy's External Bookings Manager, who also gives students guidance on how to present themselves and their music. These events include full evening concerts, lunchtime recitals and background music at functions.
In fact, this is a world that never stops expanding. Who was that splendid trumpet player who appropriately played the last post for the Barmy Army in Australia in early 2007 after the Ashes debacle? An ex-Academy student paid for by the travelling cricket supporters. It's all part of the rich tapestry!
Photograph: an education day at the Wigmore Hall