🚨MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
@sysmus.bsky.social is dedicating 2 extended talk slots to the authors of this year’s highest‑scoring abstracts
Congratulations 🥂 to the Student Award winners:
Dan Baczkowski @rncmresearch.bsky.social &
Abbigail Fleckenstein @unioslo-ritmo.bsky.social
#musicpsych #ECR #PHD
Front cover of the publication: Ferdinant Ries Grand Concert Pour le Pianoforte First version of Piano Concerto No.6 in C Major, Op.123 Edited by Adam Swayne
Flyer of the new publication, with the following additional information : This edition presents the first version of Ferdinand Ries's earliest piano concerto, the Grand concert pour le pianoforte (1806), which has gone untouched for over two centuries. Composed upon Ries's return to Bonn after his time as Beethoven's piano pupil, secretary, and copyist, this ambitious and expansive concerto shows the undeniable influence of his former teacher. Following extensive revision, the concerto was eventually published as the Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, op. 123, but Ries's preservation of his original autograph supports the idea that he regarded the first iteration of the concerto as not just an early draft but an important score in its own right. This edition not only facilitates comparison with the work's later version, which illuminates stylistic shifts within the piano concerto genre in the context of a single work, but also explores Ries's earliest foray into one of the most significant areas of his compositional output. Dr. Adam Swayne is Deputy Head of Keyboard Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. He has undertaken research into Ferdinand Ries as a Fulbright Scholar at Northwestern University. Alongside nineteenth-century concertos, contemporary music has been the primary focus of his performing career, following the example of his teacher at Northwestern, Professor Ursula Oppens. He cofounded the London-based Riot Ensemble, which won the inaugural Ernst von Siemens Ensemble Prize in 2020. He has recorded two solo albums with Coviello Classics that address societal issues in the United States. He was the only artist to be nominated in two categories at the 2019 Opus Klassik awards in Germany. The BBC have recommended his performances in print, broadcast, and online. The Times described him as "a pianist of formidable technique and high intelligence," and the Evening Standard as "an ideal blend of panache and subtlety."
A long‑lost 19th-century piano concerto by Beethoven’s pupil Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838) - re-discovered, edited, and premiered by Dr Adam Swayne (@adamswayne.bsky.social) - has recently been published for the first time in history by A-R Editions 🎶🎹 🎵
Full story:
🔗 www.rncm.ac.uk/news/long-lo...
For the final Research Forum of this year's series, Dr Morag Atchison will visit from the University of Auckland to present a lecture recital, Art Song of Aotearoa New Zealand. Join us for excellent music and lively discussion: it's open to all and free to attend.
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
For this week's Research Forum, our own Prof. Jennie Henley will deliver the talk Enacting Change through Inclusive Pedagogy and launch her new book, Inclusive Pedagogy in Music Education. If you'd like to join us to celebrate, the event is, as ever, open and free.
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
What an honor to be invited to deliver the keynote talk at the Dutch-Flemish Society for Music Theory this weekend in The Hague.
Here’s to collaboration, sharing of ideas, and working across boundaries - disciplinary and geographical.
@rncmlive.bsky.social
@rncmresearch.bsky.social
The RNCM is thrilled to receive a prestigious Archives Revealed Cataloguing Grant @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy to help index parts of the Henry Watson Music Library’s Special Collection, part of the 'Connecting Manchester’s Music Archives' project.
Details:
🔗 www.rncm.ac.uk/news/rncm-re...
Join our Research Forum tomorrow to hear Tebogo Monnakgotla speak about some of her recent compositions that centre on environmental themes. As ever, it's free to attend and open to anyone – see you there!
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
This week's Research Forum promises to be fascinating: Dr Samuel Wilson will present on two (apparently) opposed impetuses within recent music – turns towards advanced technology and towards magic – and how they address 'the contemporary'. More details via the link.
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
Join us for tomorrow's Research Forum, Country House Legends: Imagining Unsung Voices at Erddig, in which our Director of Research and colleagues from the Hearing History project will take us through Erddig Hall through performances of new music and creative writing.
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
I enjoyed my tenure as Reviews Editor at 'Eighteenth-Century Music'. It was a wonderful experience, and I learned a lot from that role and my amazing colleagues. It was a difficult decision to step down, but I look forward to supporting the journal in this new capacity!
And congrats, Annika!
Side-by-side collage of headshots of Dr Annika Forkert (left) and Dr Austin Glatthorn (right)
Two RNCM researchers, Dr Annika Forkert & Dr Austin Glatthorn (@glatthorn.bsky.social), have recently taken up prominent editorial roles for internationally renowned music journals, strengthening the RNCM’s global impact on music scholarship & research innovation 👇
🔗 www.rncm.ac.uk/news/rncm-re...
📣 Call for Expressions of Interest 👇
The RNCM invites proposals from international early‑career researchers, particularly those addressing wind & brass band music, for the @britishacademy.bsky.social International Fellowships 2026.
📆 EoI deadline: 17 February 2026
🔗 www.rncm.ac.uk/news/call-fo...
Stimulating week on this BPM Rehab research project with DJ Mark One, Dr Penny Trayner & Charlotte Naylor
The project explores how immersive training environments influence DJ education for individuals with neurodisability or neurodivergent profiles
@rncmlive.bsky.social @rncmresearch.bsky.social
Next up on the Research Forum roster, it's film time: a gang of film-makers and academics (including our very own Dr Robert Gardiner) will share More than Music, a documentary about the work of the music education charity Olympias Music Foundation. Details below:
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
Our first Research Forum of the spring is tomorrow: Dr Anna Détári will be sharing a Participatory Action Research study of neurodivergence in musicians with us. As ever, it's open to anyone and free to attend, so please do join us! www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
🚨Job alert! We are looking for a researcher to work across the RNCM to help evaluate and understand the impact of a variety of our projects and initiatives, including all philanthropically funded projects. More details and how to apply👇 #jobs #research #music
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQA335/i...
Background: a researcher-technologist operating MaxMSP, a music coding software for sound synthesis and live electronics. Foreground: large text showing 'RNCM Research: Defining the Future of Music'.
📆 Deadline reminder | Wednesday 14 January 📆
▶️ For all applications for starting a PhD project at the RNCM in September 2026
▶️ Including any applicants already shortlisted for the Crafting Care Doctoral Focal College (CCDFC) awards
🔗 Guidelines and full information:
www.rncm.ac.uk/research/pro...
On the left is a picture of the RNCM building in the snow and under a clear blue sky. On the right is text announcement reading: Full Research Degree Awarding Powers: The RNCM has been authorised by the Office for Students to grant Research awards, with Full Degree Awarding Powers up to and including Level 8. Read more: rncm.ac.uk/news
On the left is a picture of Professor Wiebke Thormählen, RNCM's Director of Research. On the right is Wiebke's comments following the announcement of this exciting news: "RNCM's vibrant research culture is central to the institution's ethos and learning environment. The authorisation of Full Degree Awarding Powers is a key piece in upholding and continually enhancing the music industry training that we provide for students across all levels of study".
Our Spring Term has just begun and we're kicking off 2026 with some exciting news!
The RNCM has been authorised by the Office for Students (OfS) to grant Research awards, giving us Full Degree Awarding Powers up to and including Level 8.
Read the full announcement:
🔗 www.rncm.ac.uk/news/rncm-se...
Our final Research Forum of the year will be this Wednesday, 10 December. Dr Michelle Assay (King's College London and University of Toronto) will present 'When Puppets Sing in Tehran’: Reconfiguring Iran’s ‘National’ Opera. Join us for this great end to the series!
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
Dr Winnie Huang is our guest speaker at this week's Research Forum, where she'll be presenting The Performing Body: The Site of Possibilities. Join us for this at 16:15 on Wednesday 26 November – it will be fascinating! As ever, it's open to everyone. Details below.
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
We're delighted to have Dr Kristl Kirk present our Research Forum this week: Instrumental Music Teaching with Dyslexic Students. As ever, this will be open to anyone, so do consider joining us at the RNCM at 16:15 on Wednesday 19 November. More details via the link!
www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/...
Huge congratulations to our colleagues at the RNCM Library for winning #THEAwards (aka 'the Oscars of higher education') Outstanding Library Team 2025! 🎉🍾🌟
@rncmlive.bsky.social
@rncmresearch.bsky.social
@wiebket.bsky.social
@timeshighered.bsky.social
www.rncm.ac.uk/news/rncm-wi...
Royal Northern College of Music wins #THEAwards Outstanding Library Team 2025. The judges were impressed by RNCM library’s innovative and student-centric approach that placed collaboration, well-being and community engagement at its heart 🍾
Congratulations to the RNCM's Library team for last night's win of the THE Awards 2025 "Outstanding Library Team of the Year" - wonderful to see all your great work honoured in this way! @rncmlive.bsky.social @rncmresearch.bsky.social @rncmprism.bsky.social @timeshighered.bsky.social
🎉 Many congratulations to the @rncmlive.bsky.social's Library staff, who last night won the @timeshighered.bsky.social Award for 'Outstanding Library Team of the Year'! 🎉👏
We’re excited to announce the launch of the RNCM Research Portal — showcasing the groundbreaking work of our researchers, performers, and composers.
Explore the latest projects, publications, and creative outputs: research.rncm.ac.uk
Tearjerkers is Buff's first album on IAN records & an original release produced especially for immersive audio. It was created in Germany & UK, most notably at Abbey Road Studios, at msm-studios & at Real World Studios.
Check out Buff's recent Q&A w/Immersive Audio Album:
youtu.be/A971q06UrKg?...
Tearjerkers, a 3D music experience for spatial & headphones produced, recorded & mixed by RNCM doctoral researcher Hans-Martin Buff, is nominated for a 2026 GRAMMY Award Best Immersive Audio Album category.
Buff previously won a 2025 GRAMMY Award for producing Peter Gabriel's 'i/o (In-Side Mix)'.
On Mon 24 Nov at King's College London, Prof Emily Howard (Director PRiSM & Head of Artistic Research) will join speakers from mathematical, engineering, performance & composition backgrounds to explore how creativity connects music & maths in new & inspiring ways:
🎟️ marc.kcl.ac.uk/2025/11/seei...
Our Director of Research @wiebkethormahlen.bsky.social and Head of Research Management @glatthorn.bsky.social presented about making research systems work for arts institutions at the @elsevierconnect.bsky.social impact conference.