A radio frequency coil (30, 30', 120, 120') for a magnetic resonance imaging system (10, 10'') includes a birdcage section (34, 122, 122') having a plurality of parallel spaced apart conductors (46, 130, 130') and one or more cross or end conductors (48, 132, 144', 154, 156) aligned generally transverse to the spaced apart conductors (46, 130, 130'), and a TEM section (32, 32', 32'', 124, 124') having a plurality of parallel spaced apart conductors (40, 40', 140) and a radio frequency screen (42, 142, 144, 144'). The birdcage section (34, 122, 122') and the TEM section (32, 32', 32'', 124, 124') resonate at a birdcage resonant frequency and a TEM resonant frequency, respectively. The birdcage section (34, 122, 122') and the TEM section (32, 32', 32'', 124, 124') are relatively disposed with the parallel spaced apart conductors of each section aligned and define a subject receiving region.