RCM Brass Faculty welcomes renowned musicians as Visiting Professors
Wednesday 26 March 2025
Three distinguished musicians join the Royal College of Music (RCM) Brass Faculty as Visiting Professors this month: Sarah Willis, horn player with the Berlin Philharmonic; Clare Farr, principal bass trombone of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra; and Jens Bjørn-Larsen, tuba player with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
Amos Miller, Royal College of Music Head of Brass, commented: ‘I'm thrilled and honoured to welcome these three wonderful musicians to the Royal College of Music Brass Faculty. They are all trailblazers in their fields, as well as being wonderful, inspiring and generous teachers.’
As part of their appointments, each Visiting Professor will lead multi-day residencies, working with RCM brass students in classes, one-to-one lessons and ensemble coaching, offering students invaluable insights and the opportunity to build international connections.
Sarah Willis is an internationally acclaimed horn player and has been a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra since 2001. She has appeared as a guest with many of the world’s leading orchestras and is also a prominent television and digital presenter, bringing classical music to audiences around the globe. In recognition of her services to the promotion of classical music, she was made an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Clare Farr has been Principal Bass Trombone of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra since 2013. She has held long-term positions with the Oslo Philharmonic and Norrköping Symphony Orchestras, while also performing with numerous European ensembles. Active as a conductor, teacher, and adjudicator, Clare is a key figure in Norway's brass and wind band community.
Jens Bjørn-Larsen joined the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in 2010 after holding the principal tuba position with the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years. His career was launched after winning First Prize at the Concours International d’Exécution Musicale in Geneva in 1991, and he has since been awarded numerous accolades. In 2002 Jens Bjørn-Larsen was appointed professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Hannover, becoming the only full-time distinguished tuba professor in Europe.
Find out more about studying at the RCM Brass Faculty where students are actively supported to find the career that best suits them as a player. Students benefit from opportunities to perform in a wide variety of ensembles, working with world-class conductors, masterclass leaders and visiting artists, receiving mentorship from some of the finest players in the world.
