Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England.

It is a well known conservatoire and one of the leading music and drama institutions in the world. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama, Stage Management and Technical Theatre

History

The first Guildhall School was housed in an old warehouse in Aldermanbury, but these premises soon proved too small. A new purpose-built building in John Carpenter Street was designed by City Architect Sir Horace Jones, built by John Mowlem & Co and opened in December 1886. It is owned and funded by the Corporation of London and takes its name from the Corporation's historic headquarters at the Guildhall, though it was never based there. Before 1935 it was known as the Guildhall School of Music. Since 1977 it has been next to the Barbican Arts Centre in the Barbican Complex built in the 1960s–70s.

Present day

The school has a Junior Department and its outreach activities won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2005. The school was awarded a consecutive Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2007 in recognition of the outstanding achievements and work of the Opera Programme.

The School's performance facilities include a 308-seat drama and opera theatre, concert hall, lecture / recital hall and a small studio theatre. In addition, students of the school regularly perform in other London theatres, including the Barbican Centre, the Bridewell Theatre (off Fleet Street), the Soho Theatre, the Swan (Stratford) and the Royal Court.

Future

In 2010, the Guildhall School plans to open its new building on the existing Milton Court site, adjacent to City Point. The 48-floor building, funded by the City of London and built by Heron International, will include new world-leading facilities, including a 650-seat concert hall, a 220-seat theatre and a 90-seat studio theatre, as well as studios for television, radio, teaching, rehearsal, office and support services. The school’s extension is estimated to cost around £40million and the City of London hopes that the return from additional development on the site – a slim, residential tower above the school’s complex - should substantially contribute to this cost. The initial building costs for the entire scheme are estimated to be approximately £100m.

Alumni

''For a full list see Alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Notable staff

1950's - 1960's John Holgate Daniel Roberts Rowland Hill Rex Walters Joan Wildeblood Dorothy Dayas Ambrose Marriot Rhona Laurie Yfrah Neaman Max Rostal Norman Del Mar William Pleeth

John Hosier (Principal 1978-89) Edmund Rubbra Thea King Vilém Tauský Richard Baker Paul Newland Neil Black Nelly Ben-Or Tony Church Don Rendell Patsy Rodenburg Graham Johnson Sarah Walker Yvonne Kenny

Trinity Guildhall

In 2004, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama's external examinations department merged with the performing arts examinations division of Trinity College London to form Trinity Guildhall Examinations. Today, Trinity Guildhall offers qualifications in performing and teaching in areas such as music, speech and drama, and dance to external students.

See also

• Music schools
• Drama School

References

External links

• Guildhall School of Music and Drama website
• City selects preferred Milton Court developer (June 2006)
• Guildhall School seeks new extension (February 2006)
• Trinity Guildhall at the Trinity College, London