ACADEMY OF MUSIC (ROYAL), 4 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. Founded in 1822 by the present Earl of Westmoreland, who confided its organisation and general direction to Bochsa, the composer and Harpist, at that time director to the Italian Opera in London. This is an academy, with in-door and out-door students, the in-door paying 50 guineas a year and 10 guineas entrance fee, and the outdoor 30 guineas a-year and 5 guineas entrance fee. Some previous knowledge is required, and the students must provide themselves with the instruments they propose or are appointed to learn. There is a large Musical Library. Four scholarships, called King's Scholarships, have been founded by the Academy, two of which, one male and one female, are contended for annually at Christmas.

Peter Cunningham, Hand-Book of London, 1850

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, was established in 1822 by the Earl of Westmoreland, with the view of creating a British Conservatoire, or School of Musical Art, for the youth of Great Britain; but it cannot be said to have exercised any great influence on the popular taste, or to have produced any very illustrious names. Attached to it is a large musical library, and there are also four Queen's scholarships, to be won by pupils successful in the half-yearly competition. The in-door students pay ten guineas entrance-fee, and fifty guineas per annum; the out-door students five guineas entrance-fee, and thirty guineas per annum. The pupils are required to provide their own instruments.

Cruchley's London in 1865 : A Handbook for Strangers, 1865

[ ... back to main menu for this book]

Music, Royal Academy of, Tenterden-street, Hanover-square.—All branches of music are taught at the academy, and students may choose any one for their principal study. In addition to this there are other obligatory classes. Candidates for admission must be recommended, and on presenting themselves for admission must take music they can perform. The principal scholarships are the Westmorland for vocalists, open to ladies between the ages of 18 and 24 ; the Potter, open to ladies and gentlemen ; the Sterndale Bennett; the Sir John Goss; the Thalberg; the Novello; the Lady Goldsmid, for pianist; and the Balfe, for composition. There is also a scholarship, founded by Mr. Carl Rosa, in memory of the late Madame Parepa Rosa, for ladies who have not been students at the academy. The successful candidate to be entitled to two years’ free musical education at the academy. There is in addition a long list of prizes and medals for proficiency in every branch of the musical art, and under the most varied conditions. Application for admission should be made to the secretary, at the academy, who will also furnish all particulars that may be desired. NEAREST Railway Station, Portland-road Omnibus Routes, Oxford-street and Regent-street ; Cab Ranks, Oxford-market and Conduit-street.

Charles Dickens (Jr.), Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1879