One of the reasons why a lot of people from all over the world come to London is that they want to visit the famous landmarks and to get to know this sophisticated and amazing city. However, some people come here to receive a quality education, as it is one of the best in Europe and the world. One of the most famous centres of art education is the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Every year, this educational institution hospitably invites foreign students, who comprise 40% of the total number of students. Studying here is one of their most cherished dreams. Probably, every musician who is starting his creative path has the desire to visit this educational institution at least once and participate in the creation of something beautiful. Learn more at london-trend.
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL FOUNDATION
The Guildhall School was opened in 1880, but at that time, it was located in another part of London and in a rather unremarkable building. Back then, only 64 correspondence students were studying there. It was the first municipal music school in Great Britain. It began to develop rapidly and became popular among many students. That’s why, in 1887, the school was relocated to another building near two other public schools. The building was built taking into account all the important nuances for comfortable learning, such as thick concrete soundproof walls between the rooms. An organ hall and a training hall were also specially designed. In total, the school had 45 learning rooms, a separate room for teachers and several concert halls. Later, in 1935, drama art was added to the school curriculum and name.
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama relocated to the current building in 1977. At the beginning of the new century, it gained high popularity and became known all over the world. In 2005 and 2007, the school received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, which is awarded to British educational institutions every two years. In addition, it is still top-listed in numerous well-known ratings.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Besides the prestigious status, the appearance of the school building is impressive as well. Inside, it seems you have entered another world, as it is fully equipped for an efficient creative process. There are a lot of publications related to drama and music in the local library. Only a few educational institutions in Europe can boast of such a fund. The building also houses electronic music studios, recording studios, drama workshops and laboratories. In 2013, the adjacent site was reconstructed too and a new school building was opened there. In total, it cost £90 million and the result turned out to be amazing. The building features two theatres and a concert hall, as well as educational and administrative rooms. In 2014, the school facade logo underwent changes too and became more minimalistic and sophisticated. In general, all school premises are examples of modern architecture and interesting design projects.
STUDENT LIFE IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC AND ART
Student life at the Guildhall School is full of incredible and grand events as well as tough training. Graduates of the school are professionals and become world-famous actors and virtuoso musicians. However, in order to become one of them, students undergo very serious selection, which parts most of the applicants with their dream. For example, the number of people willing to study the acting course in the 2018/19 academic year was 2,610, but only one percent of all applications were given the coveted chance. People spend years preparing for such an examination, as the Guildhall School of Music and Drama has the lowest admissions rate in the UK. This is not surprising since the institution is interested in the best art students, who add to its prestige and famous reputation.
Although if you have already acquired such an honorary status as a student of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, you will be granted all available privileges. The relationship between the participants of the educational process is built on mutual respect and a desire to help. This especially applies to foreign students, because the school is ready to provide quality educational services to truly talented people no matter what nationality they are. The school offers special programs that were developed to help foreigners adjust to the new team and the country in general. The future student receives the contacts of those who have been studying or teaching at the school for a long time, so the applicant has the opportunity to learn more about the system and immerse in the atmosphere of art even before the beginning of the academic year. Also, future students from Great Britain and other countries can find out all the necessary information about the school by visiting Doors Open Days. There, they can watch presentations related not only to the learning process but also to other life spheres.
DIVERSITY OF STUDY FIELDS
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama offers bachelor, master and postgraduate courses. Here, almost 800 out of 1,000 students master their knowledge in the sphere of music while the rest are involved in other disciplines. Students choose their field of study, such as vocal or instrumental performances of various styles: classical, jazz, historical and many others. Electronic music can also be singled out as potentially the most interesting among students. In addition, during the postgraduate course, students can choose such rare disciplines as opera writing and music therapy.
Another and no less interesting field of study is drama art. This is one of the best higher educational institutions that prepare students for professional theatrical activity. The bachelor course lasts 3 years and after that, the school offers further learning and improvement in the master course. Its study fields range from costume specialist, theatre technology and design to actors training, stage directors and stage flying equipment specialist.
The school also offers classes for children under the age of 18 every Saturday to support their first steps on an artistic path.
