RCM vs RAM

[briannaspark]

Hello,

I'm a pianist living in USA-- I did my undergrad here, but I recently got accepted to both RCM & RAM for Master's program. (For now, I do not know if any of these schools are offering financial assistance)

However, I do not know anything about these schools.. Could you guys help me out?
(Teachers, student life, performance opportunities, facilities, etc.)

Thank you

[thalbergmad]

The RAM has the better library. Not sure if that comes into consideration.

Thal

[g_s_223]

I've had one Guildhall and two RCM postgrad's as piano teachers, from Poland, Portugal and France respectively. All really liked their studies there. IMO RCM in South Kensington by RAH is an absolutely top place.

I'm afraid financial assistance is unlikely in the UK - we are taxed mercilessly so the state can hand out what it thinks fit.

[briannaspark]

How about facilities..? Which school has better practice rooms..?
I think I need to do more research on teachers...!

Thank you

[g_s_223]

Just one snippet: the French postgrad said that, compared to her previous time in a Paris conservatoire, the RCM encouraged significant involvement of pianists in collaborative music-making, i.e. chamber music, lieder accompaniment, opera/oratorio répétiteur, and so on. Personally, I think that's great.