Royal College of Music in London

[chopinista11]

Hello,

Does anyone know a lot about this school? I know it has a really top reputation, but I don't know how it figures comparatively against U.S. schools. The reasons I'm asking is because I have an audition and would like to know their expectations ahead of time. My program is: Chopin B Minor Sonata, Bach French Suite 4, Prokofiev Toccata, Beethoven op 110 and a Chopin etude. I am a good but not great pianist. I doubt I could get into Juilliard... maybe some lower-ranking conservatories... so I don't want to embarrass myself at my audition. Help!

Oh, and I'm applying for Master's.

[cranston53]

Hi,

I did not study at the Royal College of Music but have many friends who did (I was at Trinity).

It is simply outstanding; alongside the Royal Academy, the pre-eminent UK conservatoire. A beautiful setting and a wonderful place to study. Like a lot of these places, it used to be a little stuffy, but it will offer you everything you need.

Best of luck!!

[lousyplayer]

It's really good. But nowadays they might accept you even though you're not a piano genius. UK universities are very money driven, so as long as you got the scholarship or way to pay your fees, you just gotta tell them that at the audition!! Make sure you do cause it's the most important for them.

[cey444]

The Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music are among the top conservatoires in the United Kingdom. If you are from a non-EU country and paying international fees then you have a higher chance of getting in, having said that they are very competitive and prestigious, I'm not entirely sure how they would compare with the US music schools, however bear in mind that most of the Masters of Performance students from these places have done their undergraduate at conservatoires and music schools. If you are unsure then you have an option to have a consultation lesson from one of the piano teachers there, and you can get their opinion on your playing abilities and whether you should apply or not.