Introduction
As a trumpet player you will receive high level instrumental training alongside the opportunity to get involved in a huge variety of performance opportunities, from the more traditional symphony orchestra and brass band to chamber groups, improvisation workshops, rock and jazz bands. You will be challenged to discover and pursue your own fields of interest whilst building a foundation of technical and musical excellence.
Teaching
Your generous allocation of individual Principal Study lessons will allow you to study with some of the best musicians in the world. Additional small group tuition and instrument-specific classes will enable you to further develop your skills. You may also elect to study a related, period, jazz or doubling instrument such as cor anglais, or another discipline to complement your specific interests.
Weekly Departmental classes support your Principal Study and equip you for the diverse world of professional music-making. Classes cover a host of topics, including repertoire, technique, style, genre, performance, transposition, sight reading, recording studio techniques, doubling, period instruments and combating performance anxiety.
You will be encouraged to utilise the diverse collaborative opportunities at your doorstep within the conservatoire environment, developing key ensemble skills through weekly chamber music classes. Our outstanding coaching will provide you with invaluable opportunities to hone your individual voice within a small group context.
The Department holds a large collection of modern and period brass instruments that students may borrow, often on long-term loan. This includes piccolo trumpets; E-flat trumpets; cornets and natural trumpets.
Performance
We encourage you to take every opportunity to refine your skills as a soloist, ensemble and chamber performer, from playing in large ensembles, to exploring chamber repertoire and improvisation-based work. Our ensembles include symphony orchestra, brass ensemble, chamber orchestra, opera orchestra, contemporary music group, and musical theatre band.
Under the direction of our acclaimed teaching staff, you will benefit from regular chamber music coaching which encompasses both standard groups such as quintets and dectets as well as more unusual combinations. We also encourage you to work with students from other genres, including cross-discipline groups, mixed media, and improvisation.
Masterclasses
Our masterclass programme is second to none and gives you the chance to learn from leading artists, including principals from leading orchestras. Recent visitors include Nikolaj Viltoft (Principal Trumpet of the Royal Danish Opera), Philip Cobb (Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra), Thomas Hooten (Principal Trumpet of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra) and John Wallace (Former Principal Trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra).
Location and Facilities
Our truly magnificent location – the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich – is the envy of the world.
We are just a short journey from the centre of London, one of the leading musical centres of the world, yet situated within the “village” atmosphere of Greenwich, allowing for an escape from the busy city.
Our exceptional facilities include numerous well-equipped practice rooms, a suite of recital spaces, a recording studio, an award-winning library and extensive IT.