Royal College of Music
The College was founded by charter in 1882 under the patronage of the Prince of Wales, and built by Sir Arthur Blomfield on Prince Consort Road — directly behind the Royal Albert Hall, so that the distance between the practice room and the stage is measured in footsteps. Its charter's mission was the training of performers for the nation's music life; its graduates have filled it.
The composition department's alumni alone — Holst, Vaughan Williams, Britten, and later film composers from John Ireland's line — would constitute a national style. The College's museum keeps instruments by Stradivari and Amati, several still in student use; the graduation ceremonies, naturally, are held next door.
Field notes
- The RCM Museum's Strads are lent to students — some of the world's costliest instruments are, by policy, played.
- Holst and Vaughan Williams met here as students and remained friends for fifty years.
- Britten studied composition here under John Ireland, having arrived from Suffolk at sixteen.
Notable connections
In brief — from the field guide
Founded by royal charter beside the Royal Albert Hall — its students rehearse a few steps from where they will debut. Holst, Vaughan Williams and Britten are the alumni triumvirate.
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