THE Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) unveils a new purpose-built learning and teaching complex today (Wednesday, January 25) as part of its 170th anniversary celebrations.
The Creative Campus project, an investment of more than £2million, has introduced a contemporary two-level rehearsal facility, increasing practice room provision by 50 per cent.
The exciting new addition provides students of Scotland’s national conservatoire with essential practical resources as they develop their potential.
The project has created 27 acoustically separated rooms for individual practice and one-to-one teaching and two large ensemble rehearsal spaces. The facility will support performers of all ages and backgrounds, from undergraduate students and the young performers of the Junior Conservatoire to lifelong learners who study at the Royal Conservatoire at evenings and weekends.
Helping to officially open the complex are twins and trainee music teachers Hannah and Morgan Charleston from Larkhall, 18 year-old violinists who are in the first year of a BEd degree.
The launch of the Creative Campus comes at the start of the 170th anniversary year of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
A new tartan has been created to celebrate the occasion which is modelled by Scottish actor and Conservatoire graduate, Kevin Guthrie, who stars in this summer’s World War II movie, Dunkirk.
Established in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the world’s most multi-disciplinary conservatoires, offering specialised teaching across dance, drama, music, production and screen.
It is ranked sixth in the world for performing arts education and number one in Scotland for graduate employability, endorsing its status as a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts.
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “Students are at the heart of everything we do at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and we’re thrilled to hand over this wonderful learning and teaching complex that will support them on their journey with us.
“An inspiring environment is crucial to the student experience and this purpose-built space gives our talented students and lifelong learners a place to grow and develop as performers.
“Not only will it be a hugely beneficial practical resource, it will also further enhance our dynamic culture of creativity, collaboration and innovation.”
The Creative Campus project has been financed through a fundraising campaign with support from trusts, foundations and individuals including The Robertson Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Sackler Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Wolfson Foundation and W A Cargill Charitable Trust.
Professor Nick Kuenssberg, OBE, chair of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “We believe exceptional talent and tuition deserve the finest facilities and our new learning and teaching complex, which increases individual rehearsal space by 50 per cent, is an outstanding new addition to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“Our facilities are among the best in Europe and creating them wouldn’t be possible without the very generous support of our donors. We deeply thank those who play a vital role in nurturing the performing arts at the Royal Conservatoire – a top ten world conservatoire that Glasgow and Scotland can be proud of.”
Lesley Macdonald, head of Giving at The Robertson Trust, said: “The Robertson Trust is pleased to support the Creative Campus project at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“By providing a platform for young people who face barriers to achieving their goals, the Royal Conservatoire is recognised both nationally and internationally for the work it does in widening access to the arts.
“We hope that our support will help the Royal Conservatoire continue and expand on this work and we believe the campus will be a real asset to the students.”
Dr Kenneth Chrystie, chair of The Hugh Fraser Foundation, said: “As a long-standing supporter, it’s a pleasure for The Hugh Fraser Foundation to play our part in enabling the Conservatoire to enhance and optimise the learning and teaching experience for all students.
“The practical design to increase space is creative and productive and I have every confidence this will be a well-used and much valued asset.”
Music students Hannah and Morgan Charleston said there is a buzz around the opening of the new facility: “The new practice rooms will be extremely beneficial – it’s great that these extra spaces are here,” said Hannah.
Morgan adds: “Everyone is really excited about the rooms. I’ll use them a lot during the week when I have gaps between classes or if I have time before choir at night.”
Helen Lucas, of Helen Lucas Architects, who led on the Creative Campus project, said: “This effective intervention into the lively and bustling building is designed to accommodate spaces for both social interaction and the singular dedicated pursuit of improvement which is the lifeblood of the Conservatoire.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Before and after shots are available upon request.
- A series of special events and performances will take place throughout 2017 to celebrate the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s 170th anniversary including gala performances of Chess, Die Fledermaus and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Gleneagles Gala Concert. Find out more at rcs.ac.uk/boxoffice
- Photographs of Kevin Guthrie wearing the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland tartan are available upon request.
About the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is ranked sixth in the world for performing arts education and is ranked number one in Scotland for graduate employability, endorsing its status as a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts.
- In 2017, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is celebrating its 170th birthday. During its existence, it has built on its roots as a national academy of music to become one of Europe’s most multi-disciplinary performing arts higher education centres, offering specialised teaching across music, drama, dance, production and screen. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is encouraging trans-disciplinary learning throughout its innovative curriculum.
- Around 1,100 students are currently pursuing degrees at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland across its specialisms. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland works in partnership with the national companies, including the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and BBC Scotland, to provide students with the very best learning experiences the Scottish landscape has to offer.
- Based in the heart of Glasgow, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is also a busy performing arts venue; it hosts more than 500 public performances each year and issues around 64,000 tickets from its box office annually. Additionally, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland teaches over 3000 part-time learners every year through its Junior Conservatoire and Lifelong Learning departments.
- Find out more at www.rcs.ac.uk
Media contact:
Linda Robertson – Communications Officer
Tel: +44 (0)141 270 8291
M: 0775 380 5824
Email: L.Robertson@rcs.ac.uk
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