Welcome to all singers!
We receive hundreds of applications in the vocal department every year, and there are always more people wanting to study than we can accommodate, so the first thing to say is “well done” for being accepted into the college. We are very much looking forward to you starting at the RWCMD in September.
The first term is always very “full on”, so this is a small introduction to help you acclimatise.
As you begin your studies, it’s important to tell you of our ambitions in the department. We want all our students to feel supported and challenged in their learning, and balancing those two things is our priority. We want our students to be curious and collaborative, and free to explore every aspect of a singers’ training- vocal and musical skills, performance, language and text, drama, movement – creatively and with an open mind.
In the first week of the Autumn term there will be a brief audition for all Undergraduate and Post Graduate vocal students. This is so that we can take a snapshot of the voices of returning students as well as our new intake. Please bring a song of your choice that you know well, so that we can get a sense of your vocal and performance personality.
From these auditions we will decide on the cohort for the Chamber Choir for the first term, though this group might change in ensuing terms, to give as many people as possible an opportunity to discover this vocal ensemble repertoire. All singers will be expected to be in College Chorus, which usually leads to at least one major concert in the first term.
Other auditions -for concerts, workshops, masterclasses, opera chorus and small-part casting – will happen through the year.
You will also make first contact with your 1-2-1 singing teacher and vocal coach from our team of dedicated and highly experienced tutors. You may already have had a consultation with these teachers or they may be new to you. You will be given the details of how to arrange your lessons, and the allocation of teaching hours. Beginning to work with a new teacher is exciting but can also be challenging: try to be open to any new methodologies you might encounter.
Wherever possible we will cater for different levels of experience and ability in language teaching. Undergraduates will begin with Italian for their first year, but post-graduates will have classes all three of the major singing languages (Italian, German and French) from the start. There will be dedicated classes on IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) to enable all students to engage with and utilise this invaluable learning tool.
For all Opera Students, your term will begin with an introduction to the operatic world, with masterclasses, lectures and workshops covering all aspects of a singers’ journey in this wonderful genre. There will also be an opportunity to sing to your cohort, so please bring a selection of arias that you are comfortable with to perform in the first week. From there you will move quite quickly into a set of operatic scenes, which will be rehearsed and performed in the first part of the Autumn term. James Southall, Music Director of the David Seligman Opera School will be in touch with more details.
For all singers, RWCMD provides many opportunities, both on and off-site, but above all, we want you to develop as confident, skilled, and curious singers able to pursue your own ideas and ambitions. We want you to be the best singer that you can be, and to meet the challenges that all professional singers can be presented with. Welcome to the adventure!
I look forward to seeing you all in September. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions before term starts.
Mary King
Head of Vocal Studies | Pennaeth Astudiaethau Lleisiol
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama | Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru