Chamber Tots has been one of the most special experiences I have had to date. It has taught me the true meaning of child-led music-making and the importance of listening and responding. This scheme provided me with the space to think outside the box, to trust myself and to be fully present in a room full of people. The team at Chamber Tots were always there to listen, offer advice and nurture and encourage our musical ideas. I had so much fun exploring new repertoire, embracing the spontaneity of improvisation and connecting with like-minded musicians

Former Trainee Support Musician

The Open Academy / Wigmore Hall Learning Fellowship is an annual scheme offered to a chamber ensemble whose members are no longer full-time students, and whose membership consists of a majority of Royal Academy of Music alumni.

This bespoke programme includes mentoring, training days and practical experience across the Open Academy and Wigmore Hall Learning programmes, which is tailored to the interests and development needs of the ensemble, and which gives them the understanding, skills and experience to cultivate work in the field of participatory music making.

Since taking part, ensembles and their members have gone on to perform and take part in programmes across the sector, including with Wigmore Hall and Royal Academy of Music.

What an experience! Having the opportunity to be a core part of the process of creating a Family Day from start to finish was brand new for us. It was incredibly rewarding to co-design and co-lead a project … and we learnt a lot from it. We now feel confident to repeat this process in the future … We have developed our skills in improvising, leading workshops, creating new music with participants and reacting spontaneously and sensitively to whatever may be going on around the room!

Cavendish Winds

The Rosie Johnson Wigmore Hall Learning Composer (formerly Apprentice Composer) scheme provides a composer in the early stages of their professional career a range of opportunities to support their development, including: mentoring from a professional composer; a commission for a new work, to be performed in concert at Wigmore Hall; opportunities to take part in training sessions alongside other Pathways trainees, exploring participatory music practice led by experienced musicians and workshop leaders; and opportunities to take part in and observe Wigmore Hall Learning workshops and events.

Recruitment and selection for this role takes place as part of the RPS Composers Programme. For more information visit the RPS website.