The Course
The Academy was the first British conservatoire to introduce teaching for the classical accordion. The specialist curriculum complements other courses and includes master-classes, performance practice, accordion history, repertory, instrument maintenance and art of teaching classes.

The accordion is thoroughly integrated into the life and work of the Academy through a strong and wide-ranging chamber music programme. The response of contemporary composers to the instrument's emergence is reflected in continuing collaborations with composition students and established composers.

Apart from many concert opportunities within the Academy, accordion students have performed at leading music festivals in the UK and abroad. In 1998 the entire accordion department made its Proms début with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2006, three students and Owen Murray were invited by Gyorgy Kurtág to perform at his 80th birthday celebration concert in Budapest. Academy accordion students have enjoyed considerable success in major competitions. Distinguished accordionists who have given concerts and masterclasses at the Academy include Inaki Alberdi, Friedrich Lips, Matti Rantanen, Mie Miki, Viascheslav Semionov, Oleg Sharov, Peter Soave and Mika Vayrynen.

‘I was especially impressed by the extent to which the young players managed to get under the skin of Pärt’s scores’ The Independent, April 2000

‘Murray is an inspirational teacher’ The Times, January 2007

The Derek Butler Prize is contested by postgraduate students nominated by each of London’s four conservatoires. Milos Milivojevic won the 2008 final at Wigmore Hall:

‘Milivojevic’s artistry on the humble button accordion took the breath away — indeed, his coruscating transcription of an organ chorale by Mendelssohn made one almost wonder whether we actually need those thundering giants. I’d put money on this brilliant young performer opening a whole range of new musical worlds.’ The Independent, March 2008

2008–2009 Students’ Highlights
> Joint First Prize in Friends of the Royal Academy of Music’s Wigmore Award: Ksenija Siderova
> Recommended Artist under Making Music’s Philip and Dorothy Green Award Scheme: Ksenija Siderova
> Finalists in Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music Competition: Ksenija Siderova and the Brooks Quartet
> Collaboration with Institute of Musical Research on new work by Stefano Gervasoni, performed at Sussex University and Paris University: Ksenija Siderova
> Performance for Park Lane Group’s Contemporary Music Series: Rafal Luc
> World première of accordion concerto by Algirdas Bruzas, broadcast on Lithuanian television: Martynas Livickis
> Première performances of works by four composers at City University
> Two successful Accordion Showcase concerts at the Academy
> Collaborations with Academy percussionists resulting in two Duke’s Hall performances
> Collaboration and performances with Academy guitarists
> Masterclass with visiting Professor, Professor Friedrich Lips
> Masterclass with Professor Matti Rantanen
> Workshop with Motion Trio from Poland
> Several other world and UK première performances, including works by Artem Vassiliev, Sefano Gervasoni, Algirdas Bruzas and Giles Swayne