Unveiling The Carne Room

Wednesday 23 November 2022

The Royal College of Music is delighted to announce the unveiling of the newly named Carne Room in recognition of nearly two decades of support from Philip Carne MBE HonRCM.

Philip Carne and his wife, Christine, are both passionate advocates for the performing arts and have supported the RCM and its students since 2004, both through The Carne Trust and in a personal capacity.

To date, Philip and Christine’s financial commitments to the Royal College of Music total £1 million in support of the College's building development, as well as countless scholarships and fellowships for almost every principal study.

Philip's particular passion is chamber music and ensuring that it is accessible to a wider audience; masterclasses scheduled to take place in The Carne Room this Autumn Term will contribute towards this aim.

Philip Carne comments: ‘It was visiting the Royal College of Music for the first time that set me on the road to becoming a philanthropist in the arts. Over the past nearly two decades I have been able to support a wonderful array of talented musicians, many of whom keep in touch as they pursue their careers.'

‘The RCM is like a spiritual home, and I look forward to many more years of supporting its fantastically talented students and its inspiring musical programmes.’

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Both Philip and Christine have received honorary fellowships from their various partner organisations, including the Royal College of Music. They were also recipients of the prestigious Prince of Wales Award for Philanthropy in the Arts.

In 2018, Arts and Business Wales awarded Philip the Robert Maskrey Award for Philanthropy in the Arts in Wales. Philip was also appointed an MBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List, in recognition of the Trust’s philanthropic work with young artists.

The Carne Room is the first of three rooms to be dedicated to significant supporters of the Royal College of Music on the top floor of the Blomfield building.

RCM Director, Professor Colin Lawson, says: ‘The Royal College of Music holds its longstanding relationship with Philip and Christine Carne in the highest esteem.'

'Their outstanding philanthropy has touched the lives of innumerable RCM students and I am delighted that we can recognise their dedication by naming this space in their honour. Their support is truly inspirational and will have a significant impact on the future of the performing arts.'

For more information on supporting the RCM’s mission to provide access to musical excellence, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/support.