Chamber Music
Chamber music sits at the heart of what it means to be a musician. It sharpens listening and awareness, builds communication and ensemble skills, deepens stylistic understanding, and develops technique in ways solo playing cannot. These are the same skills that will define your career, whatever shape it takes: professional orchestras look for flexible players with strong ensemble instincts, pianists collaborate constantly throughout their working lives, and communication is at the core of teaching. That's why chamber music holds a central place in life at the Conservatoire.
In addition to a large volume of student ensemble activities, a defining feature of chamber music at RBC is our commitment to side-by-side playing, bringing staff, visiting artists and students together to make music. Our Side-by-Side festivals have won praise from students and audiences alike, and the chance to play regularly and closely alongside experienced professionals gives our students a level of hands-on development that's hard to find anywhere else in the UK.
Student Ensembles
Every string player at RBC is supported in forming their own chamber ensemble, with regular mentoring, coaching and performance opportunities built into their time here. Pianists are also encouraged to form lasting duo partnerships and other chamber music groups. Students begin performing in a low-pressure, internal setting, then progress through public performances at RBC to concerts in distinguished venues and festivals across the UK and abroad.
Our staff includes some of the most experienced chamber musicians and coaches in the country and beyond and all of our staff our dedicated to helping our student get the most out of their experiences.
Visiting Ensembles
Alongside regular tuition from staff and tutors, our student ensembles benefit from coaching and masterclasses from visiting professional ensembles and artists. Over the past three years, this has included the Castalian Quartet, the Kuss Quartet, Qu
Quatuor Agate, the Solem Quartet, the Villiers Quartet, the Narratio Quartet and the Fibonacci Quartet. Where possible we also aim to support local students from nearby schools and organisations by offering them opportunities to be involved in these visits.
Side-by-Side Opportunities
Throughout their time at RBC, every string student will take part in side-by-side playing with staff, instrumental tutors and/or visiting artists. Our regular side-by-side performance and festivals bring staff and students together, creating a shared sense of collaboration and a warm atmosphere across the Conservatoire.
In 2024, our Fauré and his World festival featured 79 side-by-side performances in one week, given by 102 RBC students alongside staff and visiting artists. In 2025, a group of our students played Mendelssohn’s Octet internally and externally alongside the Villiers Quartet and other side-by-side performances have included international artists from France, Germany, Korea, China as well as our own regular staff and tutors.
Auditions
Find out more about the audition process and requirements for the department.
Our courses
Undergraduate
The BMus (Hons) degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will help you to realise your potential and prepare you for a career in the music profession.
Apply for undergraduate
Postgraduate
Specialist support in principal study areas and career management, designed to provide you with the experience, skills, and knowledge needed for a musical career.
Apply for postgraduate
Ensembles
Associate ensembles and ensembles in residence help students with their development as chamber musicians.
Our ensembles
Tutorial staff
We have a variety of tutors who provide specialist teaching and advice within the Chamber Music department at RBC.
Our tutorsStaff spotlight
Oliver Wille is International Chair in Chamber Music and 2nd Violin the The Kuss Quartet.
He is the vice president and artistic advisor of the Chamber Music Society Hannover, and works as artistic director at a new string quartet festival in Frankfurt.
Music courses
We offer a wide range of music performance degree courses and programmes at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at undergraduate, postgraduate and short course level.
More music coursesOpen Days
When possible, the best way to explore what's on offer is to come and see us in person, and we host a number of Open Days throughout the year. Come and be taught by our trailblazing academics and study in our innovative facilities.
Open DaysPerformances
We give our students lots of opportunities to develop their performance skills in front of a public audience.
Come along to an RBC performance to see our current students in action, alongside some of the biggest names in classical and contemporary music.
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