Historical Performance | Royal Academy of Music

Further your musicianship, historical awareness and individual creativity in our vibrant department

Many of the outstanding performers in the current generation of historical performance specialists are graduates of our Historical Performance Department.

'The Historical Performance Department is full of musicians I grew up listening to, and it is incredibly humbling to learn from them'

Undergraduate student

As a student here, you too will learn how to forge your career path in this exciting part of the professional music world.

Our department has a lively atmosphere and collaborative approach. Undergraduate and postgraduate students work alongside world-class professors and performers on a wide range of repertoire (including contemporary repertoire for recorder players) and participate in a variety of activities including continuo, dance and education workshops, to develop an in-depth understanding of historical performance practice.

The department has a high profile across the Academy. Performance opportunities include the acclaimed ‘Bach the European’ concert series, Baroque opera, orchestral projects, chamber music and consort playing. This invaluable performance experience will equip you to meet the demands of the professional world.

The Academy houses an extensive collection of fine historical instruments and specially commissioned modern copies, which are available for students to use.