Strings

• From your very first term here you’ll perform and create, in solo, chamber or orchestral projects. You’ll explore different stylistic approaches, supported by specialist teachers.
• Our string faculty includes some of the greatest names in solo, chamber and orchestral playing. No other college offers a more exciting range of professors.
• Partnering with Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, we offer placements, side-by-side experiences and mentoring with leaders and section principals, most of whom teach and coach here as well. Many of our students go on to work with both orchestras - some even whilst still students.
• You’ll learn in small workshops and masterclasses and take part in tailored, one-to-one coaching from industry professionals in a highly personalised approach that allows you to develop as a versatile and employable musician. 
• You’ll be taught by internationally-renowned visiting artists from all kinds of professional backgrounds including orchestral leaders, chamber musicians and soloists, covering genres from early music to jazz.
• Strings students are in at least one chamber ensemble, selected and coached by our two amazing ensembles in residence, the Carducci String Quartet and the Fibonacci String Quartet, as well as by the many eminent chamber musicians on our faculty.
• Our wide range of orchestral projects, including symphony, opera, sinfonia, music theatre, contemporary and early music ensembles, theatre productions and string ensembles mean our students have class-leading opportunities to be involved in a variety of projects each year.

Today’s music profession demands versatility, confidence and a wide range of practical experience.

At RWCMD, our approach to string training is built around that reality. Every student receives high‑level coaching across multiple styles of music to broaden your expertise, and increase your employability. You’ll work in string ensembles alongside leading professionals, receive chamber‑music mentoring from some of the UK’s finest ensembles, and perform in musical theatre, opera and symphony projects, including opportunities to perform side‑by‑side with Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales players.

You will learn how to approach specialist styles such as working with historical instruments, working in a studio, playing baroque, jazz, folk and contemporary music, learning with the very best performers in each area. Violinists are offered the chance to learn viola, and all students have the opportunity to learn the viola da gamba as a free extra study.

Dr Simon Jones, Head of the String Performance, is an acclaimed violinist who has performed and recorded internationally as an orchestral leader and chamber musician for nearly 40 years. He has also taught, lectured and led projects at conservatoires and universities all over the world for nearly 30 years, and is both a senior fellow of Advance HE and one of the few people to be awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for his work developing string mentorship projects.

Drawing on this experience, he has designed a programme that develops imaginative, adaptable and highly employable musicians. who are well prepared for the demands of today’s music industry.