PRESSRELEASE

24/10/2012

International Viola Sensation Garth Knox

Joins the RNCM

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is pleased to announce that world-renowned violist Garth Knox has been appointed International Tutor in Viola, commencing in September 2013.

Garth, who presenteda speciality class to students on 1 November,specialises in new music and contemporary classical music. He performs with the Arditti Quartet and Ensemble Intercontemporain, and collaborates regularly with many of today’s leading composers.

Speaking of his new appointment, he said: ‘I'm looking forward to setting a Creative Viola Studio which will prepare some very high level students for the changeable and challenging musical landscape waiting for them when they leave institutions and face the real world.

‘Safe jobs in orchestras do still exist, but are becoming harder and harder to find, so young players need to have an open and creative outlook when thinking about their future. Small ensembles, whether for Baroque, Classical or Contemporary music are now real possibilities for which they have to be trained.They need to be able to play in any style and be very quick learners, readers and improvisers. They also need to learn how to create their own possibilities for musical activities.

‘My idea is also that the class should create repertoire, learning techniques and musical resources which can be shared with other classes, other instruments and even other disciplines.’

Professor Malcolm Layfield, Head of the School of Strings at the RNCM, added: ‘I am delighted that Garth Knox will be joining our viola faculty from September 2013. Garth is one of the most distinguished viola players in Europe and his creative approach to teaching will be of enormous benefit to our students across all schools of study. His role will be extremely influential in developing new teaching methods for string players at the RNCM and enhancing their career prospects in all areas of the music profession.’

To learn more about this new appointment, or to request an interview, please contact Liz Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, at or 0161 907 5369.

Notes to Editors:

  • The appointment of Garth Knox as International Tutor in Viola at the RNCM enhances the RNCM’s School of Strings’ viola faculty as being one of the strongest in Europe. In 2011, the College appointed Nobuko Imai as its International Chair in Viola.
  • The RNCM is a forward-thinking, internationally-acclaimed conservatoire and performance venue, located in the heart of Manchester. Our staff are renowned for their expertise and we have an excellent reputation for attracting some of the world’s most distinguished teachers, performers, conductors, composers and scholars. Over 700 students, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, currently study at the RNCM, more than 200 of which are international representing 50 different countries.
  • The College is also a thriving performance venue offering unparalleled opportunities for students to perform regularly to public audiences and work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists. Housing four major performance spaces, including a professionally-staffed, fully-equipped Theatre and Concert Hall, the RNCM presents in excess of 400 concerts each year ranging from RNCM orchestras and ensembles and large-scale opera productions, to a host of touring companies and external hires. In 2012, the RNCM was placed 7thin PRS for Music’s list of the UK’s top 100 performance venues.