IT’s time for philanthropy it seems. Policy might be moving away from austerity but taxpayer resources through national and local government remain stretched. Recently on Confidential we’ve looked at the generosity of Norman Stoller at Chetham’s (here) and Neil McArthur in Irlam (here). Now the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has created a campaign marking the role of philanthropy big and small.
It means that essential time and energy can be focused on the things we, as performers, want to invest in the most
The RNCM was founded in 1973 through the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music and Northern School of Music, and has around 320 teaching staff and over 800 students from 60 different countries. Each year the College presents in excess of 400 live performances, ensuring RNCM students receive matchless opportunities to perform regularly to public audiences and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists.
Now it’s launched a campaign celebrating the vital role supporters and donors play in ensuring every talented young musician can access a conservatoire education.
From the high level funding of established trusts and foundations to the financial support of individual music lovers, the appeal, entitled With You, highlights the difference people and organisations make to the lives of many gifted musicians, regardless of nationality, financial circumstance or economic background.
Suzie Thompson, Director of Development at the Manchester-based College, says, “Training to be professional musician is a long and expensive journey impossible without financial support. The RNCM is proud of its position as a world-leading conservatoire and remains dedicated to ensuring that every talented musician, wherever they are in the world and whatever their financial circumstance, has the opportunity to study with us.’
In the RNCMTo date RNCM scholarships and bursaries have supported a large number of outstanding young musicians.
Mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge who, within 12 months of graduating in 2011 had secured leading roles with Glyndebourne, Opera North and English National Opera, says, “The opportunity to be a beneficiary of funding as a student is not only an exciting prospect, it also means that essential time and energy can be focused on the things we, as performers, want to invest in the most: music, collaboration, honing our skills as musicians…into everything we are passionate about.
"I am a huge football fan. We openly speak in football conversations about how much the supporters mean to the game and how much the fans can influence a match. As fans we celebrate the history of the club and we hope to make more history. We unite together in good times and bad. It’s a great feeling to belong to a team, to a family like that, and I feel the same way about my music…If I had my time again to pick a club to play for, a place to study, a team to belong to.”
In today’s climate, with tuition fees at a minimum of £9000 each year and the yearly cost of living approximately £14,700, undergraduates can expect to enter their finals with an average debt of £60,000, with further study a requirement for many.
The essential financial support raised from With You will ensure that the RNCM continues to attract the brightest, most creative, young musicians who – for whatever reason – might not afford to take up their place.
Visit http://www.rncm.ac.uk/with-you/ for more information about With You
With You is appealing
Vykantas Civas of the RNCM
