Mark Knopfler at the RCM

Friday 15 April 2016

The Royal College of Music was delighted to welcome legendary guitarist and songwriter Mark Knopfler for an exclusive masterclass for RCM students, staff and invited guests.

Best known as lead singer and guitarist for the renowned British rock band Dire Straits, but also as songwriter, producer and film composer, Mark gave a fascinating insight into his own approach to performance, song writing and composition, recording and guitar playing. He was joined on the stage of the RCM’s Britten Theatre by a stellar line-up of commercial rock, pop, jazz and folk musicians, and delighted the captivated audience with a number of his own solo hits, including Sailing to Philadelphia and Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero).

The audience included many RCM composition students who, as part of their course, have the option to study song writing in pop music. The RCM’s composition faculty offers an eclectic range of module options, preparing students for diverse portfolio careers. The RCM Composition for Screen course in particular attracts the most talented young film composers from all around the world, with many former students now scoring the biggest movies in Hollywood and Europe.