In December 2023, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) launched its Woolcott Residency Programme with the twin aims of widening inclusion and keeping the arts in the heart of communities.
The initiative supports student collaborations with public venues. Since its inception, these have included partnerships between the Bute Quartet and Cardiff Bay's Norwegian Church; recent RWCMD alumni and Penarth Pavilion; and RWCMD guitar students with the cycling charity Pedal Power.
Pedal Power partnership
Pedal Power is dedicated to making cycling accessible to everyone, particularly those with physical and neurological disabilities. With a thriving partnership now established between the charity and RWCMD's guitar department, students play weekly at Pedal Power's café in Cardiff 's Bute Park.
Helen Sanderson, head of guitar performance, says the residency is not just a recital opportunity: ‘For me, it's about the power of connection that music brings. I was excited about students experiencing conversations with the audience, and how that would develop their approach in the future.’
Sanderson is passionate about bringing music into community spaces. But at first, not everyone wholeheartedly welcomed the project. ‘I used to do that sort of thing all the time and get paid for it,’ student Luke Bartlett admits, ‘so I was very sceptical.’ But he soon changed his mind, coming to enjoy the autonomy of the initiative, and the welcome break from the rigours of his final year which the café vibe provided.
Diverse audience
Sanderson highlights the importance of embracing non-traditional settings. She believes organisations like Live Music Now and the Lost Chord project were instrumental to her own development: ‘I think that was the first time I'd ever had a two-way conversation with an audience. That's not generally how it works in formal concerts.’
Pedal Power's senior officer, Anna Bevan, notes that many people can't attend traditional arts venues because of financial or physical constraints. ‘Inclusion and collaboration are at the heart of both RWCMD and Pedal Power beliefs,’ she says. ‘Our two organisations are very different, but barriers are being broken by having live music performed in our café. The impact on our customers and carers is huge.’
Space to experiment
Tom Vine, who has already participated in the Pedal Power partnership, feels it gave him space to experiment: ‘It's a diverse audience and it gives you a platform to try out things that you wouldn't feel comfortable with in a more formal setting. People are running around, [with] all sorts of energies coming through. They interact with you while you're trying to play. All positive, but unconventional to say the least.’
Course-mate Eosaph Caimbeul agrees: ‘Creating a relaxing atmosphere yet engaging with the audience was an important skill to learn.’ Second-year Beth Cooper valued how audience members interacted with her during a set: ‘Connecting with people through music is really special. I have experience with people with disabilities, and it's important to me to treat everyone as equals. The community is always happy to see us, and very supportive.’
Choosing appropriate repertoire is another challenge for the performers, and the students learn to combine new repertoire with pieces that are easy to listen to. Once, Luke Bartlett forgot a piece midway: ‘I had to improvise the rest. That was a good experience!’
Lasting impact
The residency has left a lasting impact on the students. Conservatoire training focuses on developing a powerful artistic identity. But, says Sanderson, ‘flexibility is a key component of a thriving professional career – probably more so today than ever before.’ And the students found it ‘immensely rewarding’, ‘a unique and memorable opportunity’, and ‘a great way to build confidence.’
Tom Vine sees the appeal of a regular residency: ‘It feels good to be part of something regular and see it grow, and make friends with the people.’ And Pedal Power's Anna Bevan tends to agree: ‘It brings spirit and creativity to our community space. Long may this relationship continue.’
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's Woolcott Residency Programme is made possible by a grant from the Anthony G. Woolcott Charitable Trust. rwcmd.ac.uk/news/enriching-and-improving-lives-rwcmd-launches-woolcott-student-residencies
