Royal College of Music

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Royal College of Music. London mus. college, successor to National Training School of Music. Founded by Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1882 and opened 1883, when it received Royal charter. Orig. housed in building occupied by Nat. Training Sch., new building in Prince Consort Road, S. Kensington, was opened 1894. Large concert-hall added 1901 and later an opera th. (Parry Theatre) which was replaced in 1986 by Britten Theatre. Further extensions 1964 and 1973. Has superb mus. library and valuable coll. of historical instr. Governed by pres. and council, with dir., board of professors, graduates, and donors. Dirs.: George Grove 1883–94; Hubert Parry 1894–1918; H. P. Allen 1918–37; G. Dyson 1937–52; E. Bullock 1953–60; K. Falkner 1960–74; D. Willcocks 1974–84; M. Gough Matthews 1984–93; Janet Ritterman from 1993. In 1990 the opera course of the RAM was merged with that of the RCM and known as The London Royal Schools’ Vocal Faculty.

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