Royal Northern College of Music launches fund for displaced Ukrainian students

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has launched the RNCM Ukrainian Musicians Fund to support displaced Ukrainian students.

The aim is to ensure that Ukraine does not suffer the loss of a generation of musical talent and that young musicians are given the opportunity to fulfil the dreams that they have been working so hard to achieve.

The musicians will be leaving behind a country that has been occupied for four months, so in addition to funding for fee bursaries the RNCM wants to ensure that they feel safe and supported as part of the RNCM family.

The aim is therefore to also provide additional support for living costs, English language training and wraparound support that will include counselling, health and wellbeing care.

Pianist Ivan Hovorun alumnus of the RNCM knows first hand what the students are going through being from the city of Lviv, where he has seen the devastation resulting from the invasion of Ukraine; a country rich in musical culture and home to leading conservatories Lviv National Musical Academy and The Kiev Conservatory.

Ivan’s career has seen him play around the world and now he will be playing for young Ukrainian musicians following in his footsteps by supporting the RNCM Ukrainian Music Fund in a number of ways, including a recital. 

“I grew up and studied in Lviv, and I’ve walked through the streets and places that have been totally destroyed,” said Ivan.

“I am in constant contact with my friends there, as they try to defend their homes and cities.

“It is 10 years since I studied at the RNCM, where for seven years of study I literally lived and I have most pleasant memories of the those years and concerts.

“Since March 2022 I have been supporting Ukraine through different events and I am now supporting Ukrainian students of my alma mater.

“I think it is my mission to help. It is very important for global music culture that newly coming generation of Ukrainian music students will have an access to the unique facilities, instruments, sources of information, concert platforms and fantastic teachers.”

Manus Carey, Deputy Principal at the RNCM says, “We want to do everything that we can to ensure that these young musicians who have been displaced from their training have every opportunity to flourish, both in their music and as part of the communities of the RNCM and the city of Manchester.

“It’s unimaginable to think of what is happening in Ukraine, but as part of the international community of musicians it is our aim to give these talented young musicians a sense of hope.”

Speaking about one of the students Rob Buckland, Head of Saxophone at the RNCM says, “From the very first note, I knew that she was a really talented saxophonist with a special gift for melody and phrasing.

“Her playing is fundamentally connected to her very being, and she plays with a really entrancing connection to the music.

“To be able to provide this young saxophonist with the support to be able to live and study in Manchester, to find the very best in herself, and feel safe and secure in the incredible learning environment that is the RNCM, will mean more to her than she can ever say.”

All donations made to the RNCM Ukrainian Musicians Fund will go towards ensuring that gifted young musicians from Ukraine can continue their future in music.

You can make a donation here.