The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School to Participate in Inaugural Sir Elton John Global Exch
The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School to Participate in Inaugural Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme
Published on December 10, 2021
Launched by London’s Royal Academy of Music, this new program with 12 of the top music education institutions in the world, will promote global mobility and international collaboration between deserving and talented young musicians.
Students of The Glenn Gould School with Trevor Pinnock at the Royal Academy of Music.
The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School is among the 12 leading music education institutions in the world participating in the new Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme, launched today by the Royal Academy of Music and endorsed by Sir Elton John.
Dr. Peter Simon, President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory, said, “We are thrilled that Sir Elton John has extended his ongoing and already considerable support for young musicians through this creative new program. We extend to him and to Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, the visionary Principal of The Royal Academy of Music, our thanks and gratitude. This program will foster a global perspective and change the lives of many young artists to whom we look to extend the frontiers of our art form. The Royal Conservatory is honoured to be among this group of exceptional schools of music and part of this global network.”
The program, developed by the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, England, goes live in September 2022 and will enable students from these top music conservatories in the world to take part in educational exchanges with the Academy.
Said Sir Elton John, a RAM alumnus: “This programme allows us to celebrate collaborations with international partners, which always bring so many benefits and joys, in projects large and small. I'm delighted to see so many wonderful and world-renowned conservatories joining us to offer these unique, hands-on, experiences to young musicians.”
The 12 exchange institutions include:
The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto;
The Juilliard School, New York;
mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna;
Hanns Eisler Academy, Berlin;
Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris;
University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich;
Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, Helsinki;
Reina Sofia School of Music, Madrid;
Shanghai Conservatory of Music;
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts;
Sydney Conservatorium of Music;
Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Music and Graduate School of Music.
Up to 20 participants a year from the Royal Academy and its partner conservatories will benefit from short, collaborative projects, a single term, or a full year of tuition at their host institution.
The Academy’s Principal, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, said: “In a rapidly changing global landscape, conservatories must evolve to meet future needs and create fresh opportunities for young artists. Central to this is the free exchange of ideas without regard for international boundaries – which is why we have set up this network from a selection of the finest music schools in the world.”
The impact that comes from international collaborations is profound, as was so clearly illustrated by the partnership between GGS and the Royal Academy of Music in 2018-2019, when an inspiring project, Music in Exile, included a recording featuring GGS students that was broadcast by CBC Radio to some 250,000 listeners in Canada. Subsequently, the BBC in London broadcast the concert across the UK and Europe, reaching over 3 million listeners. This collaboration brought together the best young performers from both sides of the ocean.
Elton John unveiling the Elton John / Ray Cooper Organ at the Royal Academy of Music,
credit: Royal Academy of Music
"My passion is to help nurture the next generation of global artists," said Sir Elton. "Music can and should transcend borders, and I am delighted to be supporting a scheme which offers high-level, tangible opportunities to talented young musicians coming together from many different countries."