The RAM should face the music

The Sunday Times has reported that the Royal Academy of Music has instituted a “widening participation” programme that excludes private-sector school pupils even if they are the best qualified. Or even the most talented.

The RAM says it wants to increase what it calls “under-represented” 18-20 year-olds.

The academy said the course was intended for “talented young musicians who have previously faced significant obstacles”, particularly those who had lost out from “decades of decline in state music education”.

None of this is surprising. It is in tune with the general tweaking of university and tertiary education towards disadvantaged applicants, with the criterion of merit taking a lower order of importance.

If that’s where college life is going, so be it. Prospective students and parents should recognise that they have choice. Avoid the RAM until you can be assured that excellence is once again prioritised. Switch instead to RCM (London), RNCM (Manchester), RCS (Glasgow) or to one of the better university music departments.

If you find the UK is totally screwed, go abroad. The Liszt Academy (Budapest, pic) and Sibelius (Helsinki) are outstanding. Both offer English tuition. And less social engineering.

Many German conservatoires, desperate to balance their state-sponsored Chinese intake, offer generous scholarships.

You won’t have to deal with a levelling-down agenda.

You will make brilliant international connections, essential for a music career.

Who needs the Royal and Ancient? Get with the real world.

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This has been republished from Slipped Disc