Upbeat: Trinity stays

AFTER several years of insecurity and indecision, London's Trinity College of Music looks set to survive as an independent entity and remain in Mandeville Place, W1, writes Andrew Green. Threatened by financial uncertainty and the imminent expiry of the lease of its extensive annexe, TCM - founded in 1872 - has investigated relocation to Bristol and merger with either the Birmingham Conservatoire or the Royal Academy of Music. But the status quo will now prevail, thanks to assurances of continued state subsidy from the new Higher Education Funding Council for England.

'I believe the HEFCE was impressed by our moves to improve the college's financial position,' says Philip Jones, the principal of TCM, 'and not least by the work done to overhaul and develop the sale of Trinity's grade exams around the world.' But it seems the HECFC still had to be convinced there remains a genuine niche for the college in London. Jones suggests the drawing-up of TCM's 'Music Plus' curriculum, providing supplementary undergraduate courses in such areas as languages and business studies alongside musical training, was the key element.