, image_name = Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.jpg , image_size = , motto = , established = 1949 , type =

Public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociology, sociological concept of the ''Öf ...

, staff = , vice_chancellor = , students = 779 (2017/18) , undergrad = 514 (66%, 2017/18) , postgrad = 265 (34%, 2017/18) , city =

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a ...

, state = , country =

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

, coor = , campus = Urban , colours = , affiliations = Conservatoires UK,

European Association of Conservatoires The European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) is the main association of colleges and university schools of music in Europe and represents the interests of institutions that are concerned with training for the music profession. It is abbrevi ...

Federation of Drama Schools The Federation of Drama Schools functions to facilitate vocational drama training in the UK. It was formed in June 2017. History A formal organisation for drama training in the UK was first established with the Conference of Drama Schools (CDS) i ...

, University of South Wales , website
www.rwcmd.ac.uk
NATO Foreign Ministers' dinner September 2014

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama ( cy, Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru) is a

conservatoire A music school is an educational institution specialized in the study, training, and research of music. Such an institution can also be known as a school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department (of a larger ins ...

located in

. It includes three theatres: the Richard Burton Theatre, the Bute Theatre, and the Caird Studio. It also includes one concert hall, the Dora Stoutzker Hall. Its alumni include

Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. One of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins has received many accolad ...

Aneurin Barnard Aneurin Barnard (; ; born 8 May 1987) is a Welsh actor and musician. He is known for playing Davey in ''Hunky Dory'', Claude in '' The Truth About Emanuel'', Bobby Willis in '' Cilla'', Tim in '' Thirteen'', King Richard III in '' The White Que ...

and

Rob Brydon Robert Brydon Jones (; born 3 May 1965) is a Welsh actor, comedian, impressionist, presenter, singer and writer. He played Dr Paul Hamilton in the Australian/British comedy series ''Supernova'', Bryn West in the BBC sitcom '' Gavin & Stacey'' ...

History and description

The college was established in 1949 as Cardiff College of Music at

Cardiff Castle Cardiff Castle ( cy, Castell Caerdydd) is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top ...

, but has since moved to purpose-built accommodation within the castle grounds of

Bute Park Bute Park and Arboretum () is a park in Cardiff, Wales. It comprises of landscaped gardens and parkland that once formed the grounds of Cardiff Castle. The park is named after the 3rd Marquess of Bute, whose family owned the castle. History an ...

near

Cardiff University , latin_name = , image_name = Shield of the University of Cardiff.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms of Cardiff University , motto = cy, Gwirionedd, Undod a Chytgord , mottoeng = Truth, Unity and Concord , established = 1 ...

. In 1970 it changed its name to the Welsh College of Music & Drama before being awarded its Royal title in The Queen's

Golden Jubilee A golden jubilee marks a 50th anniversary. It variously is applied to people, events, and nations. Bangladesh In Bangladesh, golden jubilee refers the 50th anniversary year of the separation from Pakistan and is called in Bengali ''"সু� ...

in 2002, making it the fifth conservatoire to be awarded this title. From 1973, the college's degrees were awarded by the

University of Wales , latin_name = , image = , caption = Coat of Arms , motto = cy, Goreu Awen Gwirionedd , mottoeng = The Best Inspiration is Truth , established = , , type = Confederal, non-member ...

and in 2004 the College became part of the federal university. In 2007, however, it left the university and agreed to a merger (referred to as a "strategic alliance") with the

University of Glamorgan , image_name = University of Glamorgan arms.png , image_size = 220px , caption = University of Glamorgan coat of arms , motto = Success Through Endeavour , established = , closed = , administrative_staff = , chancellor = John Morris ...

. The University of Glamorgan merged with the University of Wales, Newport in 2013 to form the University of South Wales, so RWCMD is now part of the University of South Wales Group. The college provides education and training in the performing arts and technical theatre, with approximately two-thirds of its 550 students studying

music Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspe ...

-related courses and the rest studying

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

and technical theatre related courses. It was the first, and is one of only two All-Steinway conservatoires in the UK, along with Leeds College of Music. A £22.5m expansion of the college was opened in 2011, including two new performance venues (Richard Burton Theatre and Dora Stoutzker Hall), a new front of house area and rehearsal studios. In 2010, as part of the college's 60th anniversary celebrations, students from the College performed in a gala concert at

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...

, attended by the college's Patron the Prince of Wales. A second gala evening was presented at Buckingham Palace in 2016 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the college's new facilities. It is a member of the

Undergraduate degrees

The college offers

undergraduate Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and before postgraduate education. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, in the United States, an entry-le ...

degrees in the following areas: * BMus (Hons) Music * BMus (Hons) Jazz *

BA (Hons) Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...

Acting * BA (Hons) Stage Management & Technical Theatre * BA (Hons) Design for Performance * BA (Hons) Musical Theatre * Foundation Degree Scenic Construction

Postgraduate degrees

The college also offers

postgraduate Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree. The organization and ...

degrees in the following areas; * MA Acting for Stage, Screen & Radio * MA Advanced Opera Performance * MA Arts Management * MA Design for Performance * MA Jazz * MA Musical Theatre * MA Opera Directing * MA Repetiteur Studies * MA Stage & Event Management * MMus Brass Band Conducting * MMus Choral Conducting * MMus Collaborative Piano * MMus Composition * MMus Historical Performance * MMus Music Performance * MMus Multi Instrument Woodwind Performance * MMus Orchestral Conducting * MMus Orchestral Performance * Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Professional Practice *

Postgraduate Diploma A postgraduate diploma (PgD, PgDip, PGDip, PG Dip., PGD, Dipl. PG, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma. Countries that award pos ...

in Brass Band Conducting * Postgraduate Diploma in Choral Conducting * Postgraduate Diploma in Collaborative Piano * Postgraduate Diploma in Composition * Postgraduate Diploma in Historical Performance * Postgraduate Diploma in Jazz * Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance * Postgraduate Diploma in Multi Instrument Woodwind Performance * Postgraduate Diploma in Orchestral Conducting * Postgraduate Diploma in Orchestral Performance

Alumni

Anthony Hopkins Centre (former stable block of Cardiff Castle)

: ''For a full list, see :Alumni of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama'' * Zahra Ahmadi * Jan Anderson *

Rakie Ayola Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayola (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress known for her work in theatre and television. Ayola has appeared in television shows including '' Black Mirror'', '' Noughts + Crosses'', ''Doctor Who'', ''Silent Witness'' and ''EastEn ...

Remy Beasley Remy Beasley is a Welsh actress best known for playing Beyoncé Evans in the Sky1 TV comedy drama series ''Stella''. She comes from Chepstow Chepstow ( cy, Cas-gwent) is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border ...

* Joe Blackman *

Edward Bluemel Edward Bluemel is an English actor best known for his portrayal of Marcus Whitmore in Sky One's adaptation of ''A Discovery of Witches'' (2018), based on the book of the same name by Deborah Harkness. Bluemel was also featured in ''The Halcyon ...

* Anthony Boyle *

* Hamish Clark *

Alun Cochrane Alun Cochrane (born 8 February 1975) is a Scottish comedian. He was born in Glasgow and raised in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. Career Stand-up comedy In 2004 Cochrane's first Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, ''My Favourite Words in My Best ...

Richard Elis Richard Elis (born 1975) is a Welsh actor. He was brought up in the Amman Valley, Wales. He trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and graduated in 1996, aged 21 Days before he graduated, Elis was asked to audition for London casting ...

Jean Fergusson Jean Fergusson (30 December 1944 – 14 November 2019) was a British television and theatre actress, who was best known for playing the part of Marina on the British situation comedy ''Last of the Summer Wine'' from 1985 until it was cancelled in ...

Bradley Freegard Bradley Freegard is a Welsh actor from Pontypridd, Wales. Early life Freegard was born 13 December, 1976 in Pontypridd, Wales. He studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Career Freegard plays the regular role of Steffan Jones in t ...

Lucy Gaskell Lucy Gaskell (born 10 July 1980) is a British actress. She studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 1998. Career Gaskell made her professional stage debut in the Oxford Stage Company's production of ''The Cherry Orchard'' which ...

* Paul Hilton *

* Peter Karrie * Julian Lewis Jones * Ruth Jones * Jo Joyner * James Loye *

Tony Maudsley Tony Maudsley (born 30 January 1968) is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke in the hit ITV sitcom ''Benidorm'', a role he played from 2011 to 2018. His other notable credits include Martin in t ...

Eve Myles Eve Myles (born 26 July 1978) is a Welsh actress. She is best known for her television roles portraying Ceri Lewis in the long-running BBC Wales drama series '' Belonging'' (2000–2009), Gwen Cooper in the BBC science-fiction series ''Torchw ...

Steven Meo Steven James Meo is a Welsh television actor from Coelbren in the Swansea Valley, Wales. He is known for playing Dwayne Hoffman in BBC Wales sitcom '' High Hopes'' (2002–2008), Grant in the BBC Three series '' Grownups'' (2006–2009), and Owe ...

* Andrew Harwood Mills *

Adrian Lewis Morgan Adrian Lewis Morgan (born 15 February 1973) is a Welsh actor, known for portraying the role of Jimmi Clay in the BBC soap opera '' Doctors''. Having appeared since 2005, he is the longest serving cast member on ''Doctors''. Early life Morgan w ...

Olivia Morris Olivia Kathleen F. Morris (born 29 January 1997) is an English language, English actress. She is known for her roles in the Indian film ''RRR (film), RRR'' (2022), the BritBox series ''Hotel Portofino'' (2022–), and the second season of the HB ...

Kimberley Nixon Kimberley Nixon (born 24 September 1985) is a Welsh actress. Nixon is known for her role as Sophy Hutton in the BBC One period drama '' Cranford'', and appearances in various films such as '' Wild Child'' and '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snoggi ...

Naomi Radcliffe Naomi Radcliffe (born 1971) is an English actress. She was born in Oldham, Lancashire to Albert Radcliffe—a Canon of Manchester Cathedral—and Petrina, a teacher. She was educated at The Blue Coat School in Oldham and the Royal Welsh College ...

Erin Richards Erin Richards is a Welsh actress, director and writer, best known for playing Molly Hughes in the television series '' Breaking In'' and Barbara Kean in the television series '' Gotham''. Life and career Richards was born in Penarth, Wales. ...

Ieuan Rhys Ieuan Rhys (born 24 December 1961) is a Welsh actor. His television work has included thirteen years in the BBC Cymru soap opera ''Pobol y Cwm'', Seargent Tom Swann in the last series of ''A Mind to Kill'' (for Fiction Factory/ Channel 5) and six ...

Dougray Scott Stephen Dougray Scott (born 25 November 1965) is a Scottish actor. He has appeared in the films ''Ever After'' (1998), '' Mission: Impossible 2'' (2000), ''Enigma'' (2001), ''Hitman'' (2007), and ''My Week with Marilyn'' (2011). Early life Sc ...

Ben Slade Benjamin Rory Slade (born 22 April 1976)UWIC , image_name = Shield of Cardiff Metropolitan University.svg , image_size = 150px , motto = cy, Gorau Meddiant Gwybodaeth , mottoeng = The most valuable possession is knowledge , established = 2011 – Car ...

) * James Sutton *

David Thaxton David Thaxton (born 12 May 1982) is a Welsh singer, actor and musical theatre and opera performer. He starred in the Donmar Warehouse's '' Passion'', for which he won the 2011 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musica ...

Alexander Vlahos Alexander Vlahos (born 30 July 1988) is a Welsh actor, writer, and director best known for playing Philippe, Duke of Orléans, in the Canal+ television series ''Versailles''. In 2012, Vlahos took over from Asa Butterfield in the role of Mordr ...

* Victoria Wicks *

Katy Wix Katy Victoria J Wix (born 28 February 1980) is a Welsh actress, writer, author and artist. She is best known for her television roles as Carole in ''Stath Lets Flats,'' Mary in ''Ghosts'' and Jules in '' Big Boys''. She has also appeared as a s ...

* Mary Woodvine *

Royce Pierreson Royce Pierreson (born 1 April 1989) is a British actor and narrator. Royce is best known for his roles as DC Jamie Desford in the fourth series of ''Line of Duty'' and as Reece in ''Murdered by My Boyfriend.'' He has since appeared as Dr Jam ...

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama University of South Wales Drama schools in the United Kingdom Music schools in Wales Education in Cardiff Educational institutions established in 1949 1949 establishments in Wales Music in Cardiff Organisations based in Wales with royal patronage