MA Timpani and Percussion

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

This programme will prepare you for the technical challenges of professional performance, help you broaden your stylistic range and give you the opportunity to work with national professional orchestras and world-renowned, respected musicians.

Overview

The Timpani and Percussion department offers an extensive curriculum to allow students to experience and study as much related material as possible.

A carefully balanced curriculum of one-to-one lessons and repertoire classes, playing in various ensembles, and frequent visits from our distinguished roster of international clinicians produce a structure and foundation for student learning and engagement. Additionally, students gain lots of practical performing experience through a variety of opportunities: symphonic, chamber, opera, and wind and brass ensembles.

You will have one-to-one lessons on your principal study with our highly acclaimed staff, supplemented by regular three-hour orchestral repertoire classes. To further equip you for the profession, we offer specialist tuition from leading performers and educators featuring Drum Kit, Latin American and ethnic percussion, and Marimba.

We are fortunate to have Eric Sammut (Orchestre de Paris and Conservatoire de Paris) as our International Marimba Consultant. Eric visits four times each academic year, for two days at a time, allowing Marimba students lots of opportunities to learn from his expertise.

Dave Hassell, session musician and renowned clinician, also makes six visits per academic year, for two days at a time. RCS offers successful mentoring schemes with Scotland’s leading orchestras where students experience the realities of the professional environment.

You will also benefit from three large fully equipped studios for the sole use of timpani and percussion students. Additionally, you will receive regular performance opportunities in the Royal Conservatoire’s professional venues, as well as in some of Scotland’s major concert halls.