£2m project delivers new music rooms at arts venue
YOUNG musicians are to benefit from new £2million facilities at the The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Unveiled as part of the university’s 170th anniversary celebrations, the purpose-built learning and teaching complex will increase practice space by 50 per cent.
The project has created 27 acoustically separated rooms for individual practice and one-to-one teaching and two large ensemble rehearsal spaces.
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the RCS, said: “Students are at the heart of everything we do at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and we’re thrilled to hand over this wonderful learning and teaching complex that will support them on their journey with us.
“An inspiring environment is crucial to the student experience and this purpose-built space gives our talented students and lifelong learners a place to grow and develop as performers.”
Twins and trainee music teachers Hannah and Morgan Charleston, from Larkhall, helped open the facility.
The18-year-old violinists are in the first year of a BEd degree.
Hannah said: “The new practice rooms will be extremely beneficial – it’s great that these extra spaces are here.”
Morgan added: “Everyone is really excited about the rooms. I’ll use them a lot during the week when I have gaps between classes or if I have time before choir at night.”
The launch of the Creative Campus comes at the start of the 170th anniversary year of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Established in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the world’s most multidisciplinary conservatoires, offering specialised teaching across dance, drama, music, production and screen.
It is ranked sixth in the world for performing arts education and number one in Scotland for graduate employability, endorsing its status as a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts.
The Creative Campus project has been financed through a fundraising campaign with support from trusts, foundations and individuals including The Robertson Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Sackler Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Wolfson Foundation and W A Cargill Charitable Trust.
Lesley Macdonald, head of Giving at The Robertson Trust, said: “The Robertson Trust is pleased to support the Creative Campus project at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“By providing a platform for young people who face barriers to achieving their goals, the Royal Conservatoire is recognised both nationally and internationally.”