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Music

In the music department here at RWCMD, the focus is on you and the musician you want to be. We'll help you to develop your skills as an individual, a collaborative artist and as a musician who will contribute to society.

Captions for this video are available in English and Welsh.

Why study music at RWCMD?

  • We boast small class sizes with one-to-one teaching, providing our students with a bespoke education that is best suited to their needs.
  • We have our own arts centre on campus which presents 500 plus performances each year allowing you the opportunity to witness world class performers on campus and to perform at live events yourself.
  • We are a multicultural institution, with students from 40 different countries.
  • Our teaching staff are internationally renowned artists, collaborators and educators.
  • Creative collaboration across all our departments which draws together staff and students from across the college.
  • An iconic setting - the College's stunning architecture includes an acoustically excellent chamber music recital hall, a beautiful courtyard theatre, state of the art studios and an impressive foyer space.
  • Our audition process focuses on showing you at your best.
  • The campus is located in the very centre of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, and is under two hours by train to central London.
  • Cardiff is the 'Most Cost-effective City' in the UK for Students, according to the Natwest Student Living Index 2022.
  • Our campus hosts major events such as BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, World Stage Design, World Harp Congress and BBC Young Musician of the Year.
  • We are the only Steinway-Exclusive Conservatoire in the world, and every acoustic piano at the College is a Steinway. All music students will now have access to a Steinway when they practice, when they are examined, and when they perform.
  • The College is the first UK conservatoire to achieve a gold standard level of quality assurance across Music, Drama and Under 18s in the recent international MusiQuE, Music Quality Enhancement review. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the College's approach to the individual student experience, multidisciplinary collaboration, and overall ambition, citing RWCMD as a shining example of best practice across European conservatoires, and reflecting the College's exceptional people and unique community.
'What is so central to life at the RWCMD is the idea that the music that we make is not just what you play, it's about who you are and what you bring to it.'
Elizabeth BonsellBMus Student
'If you have the talent, the dedication, if you have the motivation to be the best musician you can possibly be, you’re welcome here. We believe in you from the moment you arrive.'
Tim Rhys-EvansDirector of Music

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Brass

Gain unparalleled training experience, alongside performance and collaboration opportunities with your fellow students and some of the world’s best brass musicians.
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Composition and Creative Music Technology

Develop a confident and distinctive personal voice through specialist training covering the full range of compositional techniques and approaches,
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Conducting

Our postgraduate programme in conducting allows musicians to specialise in either orchestral, choral or brass band conducting, to develop your conducting style, technique and leadership strategies.
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Guitar

Awaken your musical creativity and curiosity to become a versatile guitarist with a powerful artistic identity and the skills to thrive in today’s professional world.
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Harp

With world-class training and a wide variety of opportunities to perform, you’ll gain all the skills you need to flourish as a professional harpist.
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Historical Performance

A historically informed approach to differing musical styles is an essential prerequisite for all musicians entering the profession today. Students at RWCMD benefit from tuition and mentoring which promotes and develops a practical understanding of performance styles from Renaissance to 19th century through a comprehensive, world-class programme of study.
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Jazz

Immerse yourself in tailored, professional training with some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. You’ll study in small groups with unrivalled opportunities to perform and become part of a thriving jazz scene.
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Piano

Delve into a rigorous curriculum that offers a mastery of keyboard technique, performance opportunities and the practical skills to succeed in today’s music industry.
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Percussion

Push your boundaries with expert-led, intensive training in solo, orchestral and ensemble playing that evokes a spirit of creativity and collaboration. The central ethos of the department is team spirit, unity and collaboration, working alongside the teachers as fellow professionals.
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Strings

Take advantage of a wide variety of opportunities to perform, collaborate and experiment – all in a supportive learning environment that builds your professional skills and imaginative approach, to prepare you for a career in the music industry.
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Vocal

Work with industry-leading performers and vocal coaches to become the best singer you can be, while learning all the skills you need to thrive in the professional world.
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Woodwind

Train under the guidance of distinguished professional musicians from the UK’s leading orchestras – all in a supportive environment that fosters your creativity, innovation and collaboration to help you become the best musician you can be.
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Opera

Storytelling through music and drama is at the heart of this intensive, personalised training, shaped by hands-on industry experience and guided by eminent teachers, performers and practitioners from the international world of opera.
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