The Course
The Woodwind Faculty provides a thorough and broad-based training in all significant aspects of preparation for entry to the music profession. Teamwork is a key element in the department and students are free to work with more than one professor. Because the approach to instrumental teaching is broadly similar, there is little or no danger of contradiction and confusion.

Individual lessons for Principal Study and related instruments are complemented by intensive training in orchestral studies, art of teaching, reed-making and basic instrument maintenance. There are fifteen classes each year where students are led by one of a team of eminent soloists, which gives an opportunity to experiment and to explore communication skills in performance.

Chamber music for wind and for mixed ensemble is a major part of the department's programme. Concerts are frequent; all ensemble work is coached and the standard of performance is very high.

Recent masterclasses have been given by Emanuel Abbuhl, William Bennett, Roger Birnstingl, Henri Bok, Maurice Bourgue, Michael Collins, Robert Dick, Paul Goodwin, Ingo Goretzki, Michael Heitzler, Eckhart Hübner, Jonathan Kelly, Maxence Larrieu, Andrew Marriner, Sabine Meyer, Frank Nolan, Alexei Ogrintchouk, Antony Pay, John Price, Helen Simons, Christian Wetzel, Dominik Wollenweber and Jacques Zoon.

‘It’s a magnificent performance, but all four works here are superbly and spontaneously played by eager musicians from the Royal Academy of Music who provide wonderful blending and a superbly polished, professional ensemble under their fine conductor, Keith Bragg’
Gramophone, January 2008

2008– 2009 Highlights
> Performances of significant chamber works given with Academy professors, both at the Academy and in venues outside
> Performances by Academy Symphonic Wind including major works by Vaughan Williams, Holst and Schoenberg
> Academy Symphonic Wind performances of Mozart’s Gran Partita and Strauss’ Sonatine in F ‘The Invalid’s Workshop’ at Kings Place

Recent Student Successes
Recent graduates play with Berlin Philharmonic, BBC orchestras, CBSO, English National Opera, Gothenburg Opera, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Swedish Opera and others. Adam Walker (graduating 2009) has been appointed Principal Flute in the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Ensembles include Galliard and Mobius.