Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Conservatoire Rìoghail na h-Alba), formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Scottish Gaelic: Acadamaidh Rìoghail Ciùil is Dràma na h-Alba[2]) is a conservatoire of dance, drama, music, production, and film in Glasgow, Scotland.[3] It is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools.[4]
Former name
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
1993 – granted degree-awarding powers
1847 – Glasgow Athenaeum
Nicola Benedetti (Honorary)
Jeffrey Sharkey
1,220 (2019/20)[1]
900 (2019/20)[1]
320 (2019/20)[1]
Founded in 1847, it has become the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland with over 500 public performances each year. The current principal is American pianist and composer Jeffrey Sharkey. The patron is King Charles III.
International ranking
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has been consistently ranked among the best schools in the world in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)'s Performing Arts ranking since the latter was established in 2016. The Conservatoire has been in the top 10 five out of six years, reaching 3rd place in 2017[13] and 2021.[14] In 2022, RCS ranked fifth in the world for Performing Arts Education. [15]
Facilities
The Whittaker Library is housed in the Renfrew Street campus. It contains one of the largest collections of sheet music, scripts and other performing items in both the United Kingdom and the world.[16]
In 2010, RCS opened its second campus near Cowcaddens, now known as the "Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks".[17] This building was designed by Malcolm Fraser. It opened predominantly to house the Modern Ballet and Production courses, as the Renfrew Street campus was struggling to accommodate the combination of new courses and higher intake levels. In 2014, a £2 million extension to this second campus was built, creating even more rehearsal spaces and improved facilities for the students.
