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Economic Development

New Birmingham Conservatoire 'last of its kind'

Stark statement from principal Julian Lloyd Webber as he officially opens new music school following two-year building programme

Timelapse showing construction of Birmingham Conservatoire

Musician Julian Lloyd Webber says the new Birmingham Conservatoire will be the last one of its kind built in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ as the wraps finally come off the new building.

The new institute, in Jennens Road, replaces the old conservatoire in Adrian Boult Hall which is being demolished as part of the new Paradise regeneration project in Chamberlain Square.

Conservatoire principal Mr Lloyd Webber joined staff today to officially open the new £57 million facility following two years of construction work.

Part of Birmingham City University (BCU), it has five public performance spaces, including a 500-seat concert hall, a 150-seat recital hall and a 100-seat organ studio.

The new building also has a flexible, black-box studio called The Lab and what is claimed to be the first permanent jazz space in any º£½ÇÊÓÆµ conservatoire, an 80-seat venue called Eastside Jazz Club.

Entrance of the new Birmingham Conservatoire

BCU said this was the first, purpose-built music college to be constructed in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ since 1987 and the only one in the country which had been specifically designed to cater for the demands of the digital age.

Birmingham Conservatoire's history dates back to 1859 and the new building is the latest phase to be completed of BCU's new city centre campus which is replacing its old base in Perry Barr.

Mr Lloyd Webber said at the opening: "The new Birmingham Conservatoire emerges during a difficult time for arts funding and music education, meaning our role in training the world's next great musicians and actors is more vital than ever.