and pursue their dreams by studying their chosen performing art form at the highest level.

Transcription

1 Company of Donors / SPRING 2015 Coming up... Crerar Hotels Trust supports the Junior Conservatoire Crerar Hotels Trust has generously donated 4000 to the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. Director of Drama, Dance, Production and Screen Hugh Hodgart was presented a special cheque at Crerar Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa in Inveraray in February. The donation will be used as a scholarship fund to benefit talented Scottish students between the ages of who face financial barriers in their education and skills development. Hugh said: These funds will enable us to help support young people from across Scotland to fulfil their potential In February RCS awarded alumnus Matthew McVarish an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding international efforts to raise awareness of child sexual abuse. In May 2013, Matthew, star of CBeebies show Me Too, embarked on a 10,000-mile Road to Change campaign on foot to challenge governments across Europe to strengthen laws supporting the rights of child victims of sexual abuse. He was awarded the honorary doctorate at a surprise celebration held in the Stevenson Hall on the eve of his return to Glasgow. Among the and pursue their dreams by studying their chosen performing art form at the highest level. Chief Executive of Crerar Hotels and Chairman of Crerar Hotels Trust Paddy Crerar said supporting the development of the younger generation is a core value of the trust. Investment in the future of young Scottish individuals is key to all of our futures To help these youngsters find inspiration, and to acquire new skills and confidence in the performing arts is something we are delighted to support. Matthew McVarish awarded many guests at the star-studded event were Makar Liz Lochhead, Tom Urie, Councillor Bailie James Scanlon, and Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue. Matthew s epic journey has taken him to more than 30 countries. On the way the talented actor himself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse - was invited to speak at the United Nations, received a personal audience with Pope Francis and met the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. Matthew was awarded Top Scot 2014 at the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards, an award which was presented to him after his doctorate at RCS. BBC Radio 3: Poulenc 50 Years On with Pascal Rogé Fri 17 April / 1pm / Stevenson Hall Pascal Rogé exemplifies the finest in French pianism, characterised by its elegance, beauty and refined phrasing. With a recording output covering the great French repertoire, it is a pleasure to have him here to conclude this series of lunchtime recitals for BBC Radio 3, celebrating the distinctive music of Francis Poulenc. Plug Festival Tue 5 Fri 8 May Our festival of new music from RCS composers is a celebration of potential. Guest artists at this year s festival include: Ilya Gringolts and Sinae Lee, the Red Note Ensemble, Glasgow New Music Expedition and Drake Music Scotland. Opera Bus Wed 13 May / New Athenaeum The RCS Opera department completes its operatic/shakespearean Merry Wives/Falstaff trilogy with Vaughan Williams colourful and lyrical Sir John in Love. Travelling between Charlotte Square in Edinburgh and RCS in Glasgow by luxury coach, the Opera Bus makes the journey a little easier for those in and around our capital city. The coach will depart from West Register House, Charlotte Square, at 4.45pm to arrive at RCS in time for a pre-concert reception with drinks and canapés at 6.00pm. As well as enjoying a night at the opera, you will also be supporting our students, with all profits from the evening going directly to the Opera Fund. If you would like to find out more or to book, please contact development@ or call Edinburgh Series: A Taste of Russia Tue 19 May / 7pm Reception, 7.30pm Concert / Scottish Arts Club A Taste of Russia: songs by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev with cello music by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. If you would like to find out more or to book, please contact development@ or call Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB

2 Company of Donors Spring 2015

3 Company of Donors / SPRING 2015 Welcome to the Company of Donors spring newsletter. Spring is in the air at RCS, and we have had a busy few weeks since the last newsletter. We all enjoyed the eclectic performances of Bridge Week, and seeing our students, staff and alumni perform across the city as part of Celtic Connections.. Annual Thank You Earlier in the year many of you braved the snowy conditions to join us for our Annual Thank You. This year we saw a fantastic production of Le nozze di Figaro conducted by our own Timothy Dean. The performance was in the New Athenaeum Theatre and included preperformance and interval canapé receptions in the Jack Bruce Space. Our Annual Thank You evening was our opportunity to thank our friends and patrons for their support of our work, our students and our vision. Guests have the opportunity to meet fellow supporters, staff, Governors and Trustees alongside a number of our scholarship students who directly benefit from the support of our guests. Musical Memories of Martyn Bennett Despite the wintery weather RCS alumni have kept busy with Celtic Connections taking over the city in January. The festival opened with a concert celebrating and commemorating alumnus Martyn Bennett (1993, DRSAMD Performance) who sadly passed away in The concert goers were lucky enough to witness the world premiere of Martyn s final composition, Grit. Piper, fiddler, composer, endless experimenter - Martyn was one of Scotland s most prodigiously gifted and beloved of musicians until his untimely death at the age of 33. On January 30 RCS held its own commemorative fundraising concert to mark the tenth anniversary of his death. The night was introduced by Martyn s mother: singer, folklorist and author Margaret Bennett. She was joined by a cast of players and singers, including the legendary Cathal McConnell, who was one of Martyn s great idols. Together they presented a collection of memories and music as well as previously unreleased recordings. The concert raised over 750 which will go towards the scholarship fund set up in Martyn s name. Drama at 60 Scholarship The Drama at 60 Scholarship, which has been running since 2010, supports talented performers and producers of theatre, film and television gain essential skills and experience as they work towards formal training. The funds for the scholarship were raised to celebrate 60 years of drama training at RCS. This scholarship offers up to three promising theatre or screen practitioners 1000 to invest in a range of training activities each year and allocates successful applicants a mentor to help tailor their development. Past scholars have gone on to study degrees at RCS, including current student Amy Conachan who is in her final year of the BA Acting programme. Amy has already garnered many plaudits for her performances inside RCS as well as in the industry in Wendy Hoose at the Tron Theatre, Skeleton Wumman at Oran Mor as part of A Play, A Pie and A Pint, and most recently Blood Wedding with Dundee Rep. If you know any theatre or screen practitioners who would benefit from this scholarship, please pass on these details or contact shortcourses@

4 Company of Donors / SPRING 2015 Afternoon Tea Each year our Company of Donors are invited to afternoon tea hosted by our Principal a hugely popular event that includes entertainment provided by RCS students, and tea and scones of course! This year the event was held in the Ledger Recital Room and was based on the theme A taste of given 2015 is Scotland s Year of Food and Drink. 75 donors attended and were joined by Principal Jeffrey Sharkey for an afternoon of performances by a range of students from our music and drama programmes. Our BA Acting students had just returned from their London showcase, which is aimed at introducing graduates to agents and industry contacts. They performed extracts from A Few Good Men, Once, Sight Unseen and Things You Shouldn t Say Past Midnight. Musical recitals included works by George Gershwin and Gerald Finzi, as well as a collection of lute pieces performed by student Eric Thomas. Ambassador Billy Boyd Bridge Week We are delighted to announce that actor and alumnus Billy Boyd (1995, DDA) has agreed to act as ambassador for the Transitions 20/40 project in order to help spread the word about RCS ground-breaking widening acess and participation project to all corners of Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the Transitions 20/40 programme seeks out and develops potential performing and production arts talent from the most deprived Scottish postcode areas. It offers successful applicants tuition fee and travel support to take part in Royal Conservatoire workshops, classes and short courses in preparation for audition or interview for training at a higher education level. The Glaswegian, who is best known for playing hobbit Pippin in The Lord of the Rings films, said: If I had this chance as a kid, it would have been a perfect start for me and allowed me to become an actor earlier. I had so many great memories of my time at the then RSAMD and feel truly inspired after meeting T20/40 students at RCS. It s an exciting place to be and has evolved into a dynamic, beautiful arts hub representing Scotland. Bridge Week returned for the third time in early February and this year there were more student collaborative performances and projects than ever. New for 2015 was the Bridge Week Fringe, taking place at SLS. This Fringe project was titled A Room to Share. Bridge week allows students the space to put on collaborative cross art-form pieces and test new ideas. Performances ranged from an open rehearsal of La cambiale di matrimonio by Rossini, to a piece of new writing by musical theatre students Katie Barnett and Megan Hughes set on Glasgow s subway. The first Bridge Week project started following a visit by our Deputy Principal, Maggie Kinloch, to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. They piloted a version of this in schools there and the project received excellent student feedback. Following this trip, as part of a Curriculum Reform, a week of free space was agreed between Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. This week, which bridges the Trimesters, took on the name of Bridge Week and the project was born with the promise of all available resources to be available to the students during this week. By freeing the students from assessment for that week and allowing collaborations which do not normally happen in the curriculum, the students have the opportunity to create a different kind of new and inspiring work of their own.

5 Supporters News / SPRING 2015 Coming up... Crerar Hotels Trust supports the Junior Conservatoire Crerar Hotels Trust has generously donated 4000 to the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. Director of Drama, Dance, Production and Screen Hugh Hodgart was presented a special cheque at Crerar Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa in Inveraray in February. The donation will be used as a scholarship fund to benefit talented Scottish students between the ages of who face financial barriers in their education and skills development. Hugh said: These funds will enable us to help support young people from across Scotland to fulfil their potential In February RCS awarded alumnus Matthew McVarish an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding international efforts to raise awareness of child sexual abuse. In May 2013, Matthew, star of CBeebies show Me Too, embarked on a 10,000-mile Road to Change campaign on foot to challenge governments across Europe to strengthen laws supporting the rights of child victims of sexual abuse. He was awarded the honorary doctorate at a surprise celebration held in the Stevenson Hall on the eve of his return to Glasgow. Among the and pursue their dreams by studying their chosen performing art form at the highest level. Chief Executive of Crerar Hotels and Chairman of Crerar Hotels Trust Paddy Crerar said supporting the development of the younger generation is a core value of the trust. Investment in the future of young Scottish individuals is key to all of our futures To help these youngsters find inspiration, and to acquire new skills and confidence in the performing arts is something we are delighted to support. Matthew McVarish awarded many guests at the star-studded event were Makar Liz Lochhead, Tom Urie, Councillor Bailie James Scanlon, and Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue. Matthew s epic journey has taken him to more than 30 countries. On the way the talented actor himself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse - was invited to speak at the United Nations, received a personal audience with Pope Francis and met the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. Matthew was awarded Top Scot 2014 at the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards, an award which was presented to him after his doctorate at RCS. BBC Radio 3: Poulenc 50 Years On with Pascal Rogé Fri 17 April / 1pm / Stevenson Hall Pascal Rogé exemplifies the finest in French pianism, characterised by its elegance, beauty and refined phrasing. With a recording output covering the great French repertoire, it is a pleasure to have him here to conclude this series of lunchtime recitals for BBC Radio 3, celebrating the distinctive music of Francis Poulenc. Plug Festival Tue 5 Fri 8 May Our festival of new music from RCS composers is a celebration of potential. Guest artists at this year s festival include: Ilya Gringolts and Sinae Lee, the Red Note Ensemble, Glasgow New Music Expedition and Drake Music Scotland. Opera Bus Wed 13 May / New Athenaeum The RCS Opera department completes its operatic/shakespearean Merry Wives/Falstaff trilogy with Vaughan Williams colourful and lyrical Sir John in Love. Travelling between Charlotte Square in Edinburgh and RCS in Glasgow by luxury coach, the Opera Bus makes the journey a little easier for those in and around our capital city. The coach will depart from West Register House, Charlotte Square, at 4.45pm to arrive at RCS in time for a pre-concert reception with drinks and canapés at 6.00pm. As well as enjoying a night at the opera, you will also be supporting our students, with all profits from the evening going directly to the Opera Fund. If you would like to find out more or to book, please contact development@ or call Edinburgh Series: A Taste of Russia Tue 19 May / 7pm Reception, 7.30pm Concert / Scottish Arts Club A Taste of Russia: songs by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev with cello music by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. If you would like to find out more or to book, please contact development@ or call Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB

6 Supporters News Spring 2015

7 Supporters News / SPRING 2015 Welcome to the Supporters News spring newsletter. Spring is in the air at RCS, and we have had a busy few weeks since the last newsletter. We all enjoyed the eclectic performances of Bridge Week, and seeing our students, staff and alumni perform across the city as part of Celtic Connections.. Annual Thank You Earlier in the year many of you braved the snowy conditions to join us for our Annual Thank You. This year we saw a fantastic production of Le nozze di Figaro conducted by our own Timothy Dean. The performance was in the New Athenaeum Theatre and included preperformance and interval canapé receptions in the Jack Bruce Space. Our Annual Thank You evening was our opportunity to thank our friends and patrons for their support of our work, our students and our vision. Guests have the opportunity to meet fellow supporters, staff, Governors and Trustees alongside a number of our scholarship students who directly benefit from the support of our guests. Musical Memories of Martyn Bennett Despite the wintery weather RCS alumni have kept busy with Celtic Connections taking over the city in January. The festival opened with a concert celebrating and commemorating alumnus Martyn Bennett (1993, DRSAMD Performance) who sadly passed away in The concert goers were lucky enough to witness the world premiere of Martyn s final composition, Grit. Piper, fiddler, composer, endless experimenter - Martyn was one of Scotland s most prodigiously gifted and beloved of musicians until his untimely death at the age of 33. On January 30 RCS held its own commemorative fundraising concert to mark the tenth anniversary of his death. The night was introduced by Martyn s mother: singer, folklorist and author Margaret Bennett. She was joined by a cast of players and singers, including the legendary Cathal McConnell, who was one of Martyn s great idols. Together they presented a collection of memories and music as well as previously unreleased recordings. The concert raised over 750 which will go towards the scholarship fund set up in Martyn s name. Drama at 60 Scholarship The Drama at 60 Scholarship, which has been running since 2010, supports talented performers and producers of theatre, film and television gain essential skills and experience as they work towards formal training. The funds for the scholarship were raised to celebrate 60 years of drama training at RCS. This scholarship offers up to three promising theatre or screen practitioners 1000 to invest in a range of training activities each year and allocates successful applicants a mentor to help tailor their development. Past scholars have gone on to study degrees at RCS, including current student Amy Conachan who is in her final year of the BA Acting programme. Amy has already garnered many plaudits for her performances inside RCS as well as in the industry in Wendy Hoose at the Tron Theatre, Skeleton Wumman at Oran Mor as part of A Play, A Pie and A Pint, and most recently Blood Wedding with Dundee Rep. If you know any theatre or screen practitioners who would benefit from this scholarship, please pass on these details or contact shortcourses@

8 Supporters News / SPRING 2015 Afternoon Tea Each year our Company of Donors are invited to afternoon tea hosted by our Principal a hugely popular event that includes entertainment provided by RCS students, and tea and scones of course! This year the event was held in the Ledger Recital Room and was based on the theme A taste of given 2015 is Scotland s Year of Food and Drink. 75 donors attended and were joined by Principal Jeffrey Sharkey for an afternoon of performances by a range of students from our music and drama programmes. Our BA Acting students had just returned from their London showcase, which is aimed at introducing graduates to agents and industry contacts. They performed extracts from A Few Good Men, Once, Sight Unseen and Things You Shouldn t Say Past Midnight. Musical recitals included works by George Gershwin and Gerald Finzi, as well as a collection of lute pieces performed by student Eric Thomas. Ambassador Billy Boyd Bridge Week We are delighted to announce that actor and alumnus Billy Boyd (1995, DDA) has agreed to act as ambassador for the Transitions 20/40 project in order to help spread the word about RCS ground-breaking widening acess and participation project to all corners of Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the Transitions 20/40 programme seeks out and develops potential performing and production arts talent from the most deprived Scottish postcode areas. It offers successful applicants tuition fee and travel support to take part in Royal Conservatoire workshops, classes and short courses in preparation for audition or interview for training at a higher education level. The Glaswegian, who is best known for playing hobbit Pippin in The Lord of the Rings films, said: If I had this chance as a kid, it would have been a perfect start for me and allowed me to become an actor earlier. I had so many great memories of my time at the then RSAMD and feel truly inspired after meeting T20/40 students at RCS. It s an exciting place to be and has evolved into a dynamic, beautiful arts hub representing Scotland. Bridge Week returned for the third time in early February and this year there were more student collaborative performances and projects than ever. New for 2015 was the Bridge Week Fringe, taking place at SLS. This Fringe project was titled A Room to Share. Bridge week allows students the space to put on collaborative cross art-form pieces and test new ideas. Performances ranged from an open rehearsal of La cambiale di matrimonio by Rossini, to a piece of new writing by musical theatre students Katie Barnett and Megan Hughes set on Glasgow s subway. The first Bridge Week project started following a visit by our Deputy Principal, Maggie Kinloch, to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. They piloted a version of this in schools there and the project received excellent student feedback. Following this trip, as part of a Curriculum Reform, a week of free space was agreed between Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. This week, which bridges the Trimesters, took on the name of Bridge Week and the project was born with the promise of all available resources to be available to the students during this week. By freeing the students from assessment for that week and allowing collaborations which do not normally happen in the curriculum, the students have the opportunity to create a different kind of new and inspiring work of their own.