First jazz conservatoire gains Royal approval

The Queen's granted royal approval to Birmingham Conservatoire, the only performing arts institution of its level with a permanent jazz space. 

From today students are turning up for classes at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, as the college joins a select list with permission to use the title.

Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Plowden, says:

“The Royal title not only indicates the Birmingham Conservatoire’s national and international repute but also its transformative impact on people’s lives. It has both nurtured the talent of many household names and developed a programme of widening music participation that has benefited thousands of young people and their families from diverse communities across England, much like the University of which it is part."

Jazz FM broadcast live from Birmingham Conservatoire to celebrate the opening of its new £57m facilities; the UK's first purpose-built music college in 30 years.

Alongside a 500-seat concert hall, a 150-seat recital hall and a 100-seat organ studio, the state of the art building includes the only permanent jazz space of any UK conservatoire - the 80-seat Eastside Jazz Club.

It's open to the public, with performances highlighting different strands of the jazz repertoire, from contemporary to big band, Afro-Cuban, folk, gypsy and swing.

Internationally-acclaimed guests are already lined up for the first few months, including Canadian sisters Christine and Ingrid Jensen, winner of the Montreux jazz guitar competition Gilad Hekselman, and saxophonist Stan Sulzmann. 

You can find out more at www.bcu.ac.uk/concerts