Woodwind
The Woodwind Faculty, under the leadership of Keith Bragg, 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, Meyrick Alexander, Laurent Ben Slimane, William Bennett, Emily Beynon, Roger Birnstingl, Maurice Bourgue, Wissam Boustany, Samuel Coles, Gareth Davies, Paul Edmund-Davies, Andrea de Flammineis, Martin Frost, Simon Haram, Daniel Jemison, Jonathan Kelly, Maxence Larrieu, Marco Lugaresi, Andrew Marriner, Lorna McGhee, Patrick Messina, Alexei Ogrintchouk, Robin O’Neill, Antony Pay, Robert Plane, Julie Price, Graham Sheen, Helen Simons, Jacques Tys, Matthias Zielger 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)
Open Day: 2012 dates will be made available when known. If you missed the 2011 open day, please do come along to any of our free public events, all of which can be found at www.ram.ac.uk/events
