‘I remind myself it’s not a dream!’ Meet SU President Leila Hooton
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Upbeat discusses all things RCM with Students‘ Union President and flautist Leila Hooton, who graduated with a Masters degree from the College in 2024.
If there’s one thing that strikes you about Leila Hooton when she talks about the Royal College of Music, it’s her enthusiasm. She radiates an apparently boundless energy for the College, and real sincerity in advocating for its students. It’s a role that demands a great deal of energy and commitment, from chairing SU Committee meetings to representing the student body around the College and beyond.
Leila comes from a musical family based in Norwich, where both classical and folk music were encouraged. ‘I started playing the flute when I was eight; my mum was a peripatetic clarinet teacher, and she was very keen for my brother and I to learn an instrument. I’m not sure why I picked the flute, I just really wanted to play it as a little girl. Throughout my childhood, I was involved in music, ranging from youth orchestras to county music bands. In my last year of school, I joined Aldeburgh Young Musicians and the Britten Sinfonia Academy.
‘It was really when I started having flute lessons with Anna Noakes, when I was aged 16, that I learnt about conservatoires and they became an option for me; she helped me get into the Birmingham Conservatoire, where I took my undergraduate degree. I realised while I was there that I really wanted to be a professional flautist – I particularly enjoy orchestral playing – and so I decided that I wanted to pursue that goal and applied to the Royal College of Music.’
[quote quote="The first time I visited the RCM was on my audition day, and I was quite starstruck because it’s such a magnificent building, but everyone was really welcoming." author=""]
Top teaching
What is it about the Royal College of Music that appealed? ‘The reputation and the teachers. As I wanted to become the best flute player I could be, the College’s top teaching standards were a big draw for me. The first time I visited was on my audition day, and I was quite starstruck because it’s such a magnificent building, but everyone was really welcoming – all the staff and teachers are extremely friendly. I had a very positive audition process. I was put at ease in the first round: I felt like I could be myself. And then I was recommended for a second-round audition; the staff were friendly and seemed genuinely interested in me as a person, listening to my reasons for wanting to come to the College.’
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For her audition, Leila played the first movement of the Reinecke Flute Concerto and Messiaen’s Le merle noir, reflecting the breadth of repertoire she enjoys. ‘There are three types of repertoire that really stand out to me. The first is ensemble playing. I don’t think anything can beat playing in an orchestra – it’s so great to be playing with other people. This includes wind quintet music as well, which I love; it’s so quirky, and you can draw some great sounds out of woodwind instruments. The second is 20th-century French repertoire – Poulenc, Milhaud – I like the sound-worlds they create. It’s quite mysterious and magical and works well on the flute. And thirdly, I enjoy playing contemporary music, with lots of extended techniques, because it’s exciting, engaging and accessible, and audiences need to hear it – I like to explore what you can do with it.’
[quote quote="Sitting in an orchestra surrounded by such talented musicians led by great conductors means you learn a huge amount … it sets you up for the profession." author=""]
Performance highlights
What are some of Leila’s RCM performance highlights? ‘Playing the alto flute in Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe conducted by Jessica Cottis. It’s such a great piece of music, and playing alto flute in an orchestra is a rare opportunity – I really enjoy playing other flutes. I feel so lucky to have been conducted by Vasily Petrenko, Martyn Brabbins, Ben Palmer – I learnt so much. And being able to sit in an orchestra surrounded by such talented musicians means you learn a huge amount about your ensemble playing and your orchestral skills. It’s nerve-wracking having these great conductors in front of you, but it’s a real learning curve and it sets you up for the profession.’
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Leila was also part of a student wind quintet that played works such as Barber’s Summer Music, ‘which is quite demanding – technically difficult, and, from a chamber perspective, challenging in terms of ensemble; you really have to know everyone’s parts and learn to lead as well. But once it comes together, it’s a fantastic piece of music – so many gorgeous melodies. We spent a long time getting that piece together, but it was worth it. And we had so much fun in rehearsals as well.’
[quote quote="I pinch myself: wow, I studied here, I work here. I’m opposite the Royal Albert Hall near Hyde Park in central London. I have to remind myself it’s not a dream." author=""]
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Work and play
This combination of a disciplined work ethic and genuine enjoyment characterises Leila’s approach to her playing, her role as SU President, and her future plans. Her advice for current and prospective RCM students emphasises that balance between work and play. ‘Make use of your SU’ – whether it’s finding societies, ticket deals, freshers’ events, networking, seeking advice about flexible employment like stewarding or teaching roles – or simply coming in for a chat.
As Leila says: ‘Find something in London that really excites you that’s not related to music – a friendship group or sports team or whatever works for you. Be part of the College community, and then once you’ve got that confidence, branch out.’ As for socialising in College, the SU committee aims to provide an array of activities, currently with a particular emphasis on events themed around different cultures, such as Lunar New Year event and a Portuguese Night.
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Other highlights include a collaborative Valentine’s Networking Mixer at an external bar with other conservatoires; a series of monthly Wellbeing Wednesday events with themes such as learning about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and tackling Performance Anxiety; and a student-led fundraising concert to raise money for Valencians affected by the floods last year. There are external events, too: group walks in Hyde Park, trips to London Zoo and so on.
[quote quote="Every member of the SU Committee understands how it feels to be at the College and wants to support students as much as possible." author=""]
Building community
So what drew Leila to the role of SU President? ‘I’ve always been the kind of person that’s on the student council and wants to help improve the student experience. And there’s so much to learn from this role in terms of organisation skills, management, representing the College. Every member of the SU Committee understands how it feels to be at the College and wants to support students as much as possible, as well as representing the diversity of the RCM and opening up channels of communication. We want to build an even stronger community here.’
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And what might come after her time at the RCM? ‘I’m still really enjoying playing my flute, and a performing career remains my top priority, but the experience of being SU President keeps the arts management option open. And one day I’d love to start up a graduate orchestra in my hometown of Norwich, with an emphasis on education and outreach in Norfolk – along similar lines to the Southbank Sinfonia. I’ve been in contact with Diana Roberts in the Creative Careers Centre, who has been helping me get all my ideas down on paper and focus them into a plan.’
Watch this space – Leila’s determination and focus are already doing so much for student life at the RCM that if anyone is going to start up a new orchestra in Norwich, it could well be her. But for now, she’s immersed in College life – and thoroughly enjoying it. ‘I pinch myself: wow, I studied here, I work here. I’m opposite the Royal Albert Hall near Hyde Park in central London. I have to remind myself it’s not a dream.’
