Strings

• From your very first term here you’ll perform and create, in solo, chamber or orchestral projects. You’ll explore different stylistic approaches, supported by specialised teachers.
• Our unique strings placement schemes, partnering with Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, provides placements, side-by-side experiences and mentoring with the section principals, and leads to some students getting on to the extra lists with both orchestras. WNO and BBCNOW leaders and many principal players teach and coach here.
• You’ll learn in small classes and take part in tailored, one-to-one coaching from industry professionals in a highly personalised approach that allows you to develop as a versatile and employable musician. Core strings staff include Lucy Gould, Alice Neary.
• You’ll be taught by internationally renowned visiting artists, all with contemporary careers performing at the highest level, from all kinds of professional backgrounds including orchestral leaders, chamber musicians and soloists, covering genres from early music to jazz.
• Recent visiting artists have included Nicola Benedetti, Rachel Podger, Timothy Ridout, Lawrence Power, Peter Wispelwey and Daniel Muller-Schott.
• You will be part of a chamber music ensemble, each with its own mentor chosen from the many chamber musicians on our staff, mentoring and guiding you throughout the year.
• Our wide range of orchestral projects, including musical theatre, opera, acting showcases, as well as symphony orchestra and string ensembles, means that you’ll be involved in orchestral projects every term.

Our unique approach to historically-informed performance, guided by the expertise of Dr Simon Jones, means that every student has a rigorous training in a variety of styles, ranging from baroque to contemporary, and including working with harpsichords and fortepianos. Being historically aware and informed is a key part of a string players portfolio and much sought after by ensembles. Every student gets the chance to play a baroque instrument and to take taster lessons on the viol. For those that wish, this can then be taken as a free extra study.

Teachers include Rachel Podger and Jonathan Manson and recent graduate ensembles include Arculo, formerly The Royal Welsh Consort of Viols.

Dr Simon Jones, Head of the Strings department, is an acclaimed violinist who has performed and recorded internationally as an orchestral leader and chamber musician for nearly 40 years. He has taught, lectured and led projects at conservatoires and universities all over the world and is both a senior fellow of Advance HE and one of the few people to be awarded a National Teaching Fellowship.

His combined professional experience, spanning nearly four decades, has allowed him to shape a programme that equips students with the skills to become inventive, adaptable and employable musicians.