Royal College of Music unveils newly transformed entrance
Wednesday 18 September 2019
The Royal College of Music has unveiled its newly transformed Entrance Hall and Foyer Hall. The College’s entrance has been made more open and accessible and its historic mosaic floor renovated and preserved.
The RCM’s Grade II listed Blomfield Building has sat opposite the Royal Albert Hall on Prince Consort Road since 1894. Generations of world-famous musicians have crossed its threshold in the intervening years, embarking on musical journeys towards international success.
This summer’s transformation ensures that the RCM’s entrance will be fit to welcome musicians and visitors for years to come. Significant improvements include a new Box Office and Reception and a more open and accessible space in which to enter and navigate through the Entrance Hall and Foyer Hall.
The celebrated mosaic floor in the Entrance Hall, emblazoned with the initials of the RCM’s original benefactor, Samson Fox, received special attention during the transformation and has been preserved. It was Samson Fox’s generous donation to the College that allowed the iconic Blomfield Building to be built nearly two centuries ago.
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The works were funded by donations to the More Music: Make an Entrance Appeal. The Appeal was part of the More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music Campaign, which has a philanthropic target of £40 million to support the construction of new facilities and the expansion of the RCM’s scholarship provision, outreach programmes and digital capabilities.
RCM Director, Professor Colin Lawson, comments: ‘I am thrilled by the transformation of the College’s entrance. We have preserved both the RCM’s illustrious heritage and ensured the building is fit for the future. It is wonderful to see a new cohort of students enjoying the new space as we enter the new academic year and I would like to thank everyone who supported the Make an Entrance Appeal so far.’
The RCM has £4 million left to raise as it enters the final stages of the More Music building development. Two new performance spaces, new practice rooms, social spaces and a new RCM Museum will open at the heart of the RCM campus in 2020.
To find out more about the Make an Entrance Appeal or make a gift, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/makeanentrance.
