Following the incredible success of our Fundraising Gala in 2023 to mark our 50th anniversary year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a 2025 Fundraising Gala on Friday 7 March 2025, marking what will be a biennial event for the RNCM.
As you know, the RNCM is a registered charity (no. 504949) and depends on the generosity of our community to support our mission to define the future of music. This gala comes at a critical time for us, with all proceeds directly supporting our work to remove financial barriers for young people, enabling them to excel and benefit from musical training, whatever their background.
Format of the evening
We will take over the whole RNCM building here on Oxford Road for one night only and be treated to performances from hundreds of talented young RNCM musicians from across both our classical and popular music degree programmes, including the wonderful RNCM Symphony Orchestra and our Gospel Choir. Guests will be taken on a unique musical journey through the building, with the promise of joyful and uplifting celebrations with music from all genres complemented by plenty of food, drinks, dancing, and of course surprises – including a few special guests for arias and acoustic sets.
An evening that makes a difference
To reach our target of raising £50,000 on the evening, the price of each table (seating 10) is £5,000, and includes a charitable donation of £4,000. Single and pairs of tickets are also available at £500 each (including a £400 donation). If you cannot fill a table, but would like to support significantly at this level, we can support in filling your table and invite our guest artists/conductors or alumni to join you.
Project Spotlight:
RNCM Breaking Down Barriers Fund
All proceeds from the RNCM 2025 Fundraising Gala will directly raise funds for our work to
remove and break down barriers to music education.
The RNCM is one of the world’s leading and most progressive conservatoires – training over 950 students and 500 under-18s a year in our Manchester home. We proud to be elite, but very far from being elitist.
Without support, many talented musicians would not be able to study or learn with us and demand continues to exceed the resources available. Your support is vital in helping our students pursue their dreams, seize opportunities and shape the future of music.
The RNCM has always been committed to removing the barriers – actual and perceived – that any young person may face in accessing a quality music education.
Money raised at our 2025 Fundraising Gala will specifically fund bursaries at all levels:
• Bursaries for under-18s – through our Junior School, Young Artists, and Pathfinder programmes, bursaries are life-changing in enabling talented young people to benefit from free musical training. At a time when music is disappearing from state schools, funding supports vital lessons, instrument costs, group workshops, transport and food to fuel their practice.
• Bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate students – no-one who dreams of pursuing music professionally should be hindered by cost. Our bursaries provide targeted support for student fees and living costs, allowing anyone with talent, regardless of their background, to accept a place to study for their music degree with us.
• Bursaries for student hardship – if students face unexpected hardship, we can support them with emergency bursary support to ensure they don’t have to withdraw from their studies.
“Without financial help, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my Master’s at RNCM, which has opened so many doors for me and helped me become a professional musician.” Postgraduate Viola Student
We hope you will consider supporting us by buying a table and joining us for an extraordinary evening of music, celebration and impact. Together, we can make a lasting difference on the lives of tomorrow’s musicians.
For more information, please contact Bethan Ward at bethan.ward@rncm.ac.uk | 0161 907 5388.
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