RNCM’s 50th anniversary

Founded in 1973 through the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music (established in 1893 by Sir Charles Hallé of the Hallé Orchestra) and Northern School of Music (established in 1920), the Royal Northern College of Music’s (RNCM) worldwide reputation has never been stronger so it was our delight to help it to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

With a history of innovation and creativity, the celebrations encapsulated everything from RNCM’s role in the community to its place on the global stage. A calendar of events included projects and performances by students past and present, concerts with professional partners, opera productions, festivals and experiences at iconic venues, such as The Bridgewater Hall. We also got to explore some of the lesser known aspects to RNCM, like the fact that it houses a museum and archive whose treasures range from the beautifully ornate to feasts for the imagination, including a piccolo violin made by Antonio Stradivari in 1685.

From the brass instruments that were under threat of extinction to the next generation of pop stars we sought out the stories and turned these into media engaging opportunities. During a whirlwind 12 months we took the media from concert halls to the concourse of Piccadilly station with a programme of previews, reviews and interviews.