Historically Informed Performance offers students training at the highest level, preparing for a sustained and rewarding career in the music profession. Working to the same technical and musical demands as in the other instrumental departments, performance opportunities are wide ranging and reflect the varied nature of work within this fascinating field. Many leading figures of the period performance movement today previously studied at the School (Pavlo Beznosiuk, Jeremy West, Jane Booth, Pamela Thorby) and are now among its professors in their specialist fields. 

The opportunity to study an historical instrument as a second study/elective through the BMus programme is also available where appropriate. Many students find that knowledge of traditions and techniques of the past can inform their performances of the future. 

There are regular performance opportunities including collaborations with such internationally-acclaimed groups as The Academy of Ancient Music, The Harp Consort and The Sixteen. The School’s collection of historical instruments supports individual study and ensemble work and is growing year on year.
Students perform alongside world-renowned musicians and now benefit from side-by-side coaching with The Academy of Ancient Music as well as vocal training in association with The Sixteen.

Core subjects include Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Baroque Studies, Classical Studies, Performance Research techniques and Performance Studies including historical dance.

Recent Department Highlights 

Regular masterclasses from Robert Erlich and Dame Emma Kirkby, enhanced this year by masterclasses from visiting artists including Robert Levin, Richard Egarr (AAM), Ursula Leveaux (AAM), Peter Hanson (Eroica Quartet), Joseph Crouch (AAM), and Peter Whelan (La Serenissima)

Collaborations with the School’s Centre for Classical Improvisation in performances of Mozart Piano Concertos; joint project with the Royal Academy of Music in Mozart Haffner Serenade and Piano Concerto with soloists from both the Guildhall School and Royal Academy of Music. 

Return invitations for the Guildhall Baroque Orchestra to the London Handel Festival, including a performance of Handel’s Harp Concerto and Music for the Royal Fireworks; Guildhall Cantata Project performed at St Martin-in-the-Fields and Hatchlands Park; Dr Andrew Lawrence-King directs Monteverdi’s Combattimento at the Wallace Collection with collaborative research involving the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions, The Harp Consort, Il Corago, swordmaster Dr. Klim Zhukhov (St Petersburg State University) and choreographer Steven Player. The Guildhall Consort, conducted by Eamonn Dougan perform the music of Arvo Pärt for the BBC’s Total Immersion series and not forgetting their stunning performances of Bach and Pekiel.

Recent Student Successes

Sisters of Rose, Musicians of London Wall, Chiaroscuro
These ensembles of current and former Guildhall School musicians were selected for Early Music Live!, part of the Brighton Early Music Festival 2010 

Alumni include

Rachel Podger (Violin 1993)
Pavlo Beznosiuk (Violin 1982)
Eamonn Dougan (Voice, 2000)

Recent graduates have joined leading ensembles including the Academy of Ancient Music, Gabrieli Consort, Tenebrae, Armonico Consort, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (chorus), and Dufay Collective.