RCM musicians participate in sit-in schemes with London’s top orchestras

Thursday 15 November 2018

This year, many Royal College of Music musicians will take part in sit-in schemes with some of London’s top orchestras. From the RCM Strings Faculty, four players have been chosen for the London Symphony Orchestra’s (LSO) String Experience scheme, and a total of 30 musicians from across the College will participate in the BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBCSO) Pathways and English National Opera’s (ENO) Evolve programmes.

String players from the RCM compete against London’s other conservatoires for places on the LSO String Experience scheme. This year’s successful musicians are violinists Zachary Spontak and Emily Turkanik, cellist Tamaki Sugimoto and bassist Philip Nelson. Through the scheme, they will gain valuable rehearsal and performance experience in a world-class professional setting. They will perform alongside LSO players over the course of the year, benefitting from the experience of section mentors and making long-lasting industry contacts.

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Royal College of Music alumna Sarah Quinn took part in the scheme during her time at the RCM and is now sub-principal second violin with the LSO. She commented: ‘The LSO String Experience scheme gives the next generation of talented orchestral players invaluable experience of rehearsing and performing with a world class orchestra, soloists and conductors.’

The RCM also enjoys successful partnerships with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and English National Opera, offering sit-in schemes exclusively to RCM students. Students on the BBCSO Pathways scheme will join the orchestra and conductor Martyn Brabbins in rehearsals at Maida Vale Studios ahead of their concert at the Barbican on 30 November. ENO Evolve musicians will join the orchestra for rehearsals of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Iain Bell’s Jack The Ripper, receive lessons from their ENO tutors and participate in an auditions masterclass with ENO members.

Find out more about studying at the RCM here.