"What with individual lessons, orchestra and lectures it’s going to be a really invigorating couple of years for anyone choosing to study at the RCM. However, making the most of your time here depends on much more than simply juggling your academic studies with rehearsing, gigging across London or even landing yourself a job.
Coming to London to study music is an amazing experience. Perhaps you’ll have just finished school or maybe find yourself away from home for the first time – whatever the situation, you’ll definitely find the independence to make of College what you will. Alongside all the practice and performance opportunities you’ll undoubtedly be immersed in, you should also have the opportunity to enjoy a full-on university experience. And that’s where the Students’ Association (SA) comes in!
Our job is to make sure that College life really is buzzing. How do we do that? Well, first of all we offer you support and advice to make sure you have as happy a time as possible. Then we add in some social events to help you get to know everyone (this also works well as an accompaniment to networking). Finally we throw in a pinch of live music and a twist of new ideas (currently we’re trying to get ourselves a regular happy hour in the bar – yes, we have one!) and voila – there you have it – a thriving social scene!
On joining the RCM, you will automatically become a member of the SA. It all starts with an action-packed Freshers’ Week followed by monthly parties and even an annual Association of London Colleges Of Music and Drama (ALCOMD) event such as this year’s ALCOMD Winter Wonderland Ball. Then there’s RAG (Raising And Giving) Week in February where we try to raise as much money for charity as possible... and have fun in the process, obviously. The video challenge is my particular favourite – how are you at leading a sing-song aboard a double decker bus?!
Amongst the smaller events such as pub quizzes, open mic nights and pool tournaments we also try our hand at football and netball and even have our own Student Podcast (downloadable from iTunes).
So, if making music and having a good time sound like an arrangement made in music college heaven then we hope to see you in September!"
Ed Hallinan, President of the Students' Association 2009-10 Further information about Students' Association activities can be found on their Facebook page. A copy of the Students' Association Constitution can be downloaded via the link below.