COURSE OVERVIEW
| Credits | MMus - 180 |
| Full-time fees | UK / EEA: £8,000 |
| Part-time fees | UK / EEA: year 1 - £4,000, year 2 - £3,640
|
| Duration | Full Time: 1 year & Part Time: 2 years
|
| University Validation | University for the Creative Arts* |
| Application | Apply directly to us |
| Start & Term Dates | October 2020
|
| Minimum Age | 18
*Subject to validation. |
This professionally focused, 12-month practice-based master’s degree in music performance aims to help students develop specialist skills as a performer, musical director, composer and arranger to an industry-leading standard through the creation of a significant body of original work demonstrating a distinctive artistic personality. Over the course of the year, students will refine their instrumental skills, lead ensembles and create new compositions and arrangements through a range of individual lessons and group workshops and lectures. Additionally, students will devise and test strategies to launch, market and continuously develop their professional personas and then undertake a major body of creative and professional work over the summer, which could culminate in the performance of a new body of work or the completion of an industry placement.
Overall, the programme aims to:
- refine your specialist performance skills and creative practice;
- enable instrumentalists to develop a significant body of original creative work;
- develop a distinctive artistic personality or voice;
- prepare to lead and continuously develop in professional performance-based industry settings.
What will you learn?
Our MMus in Music Performance is rooted in the deep practice of contemporary performance, musicianship and professional ability and provides a specialised practice-based programme for aspirational career musicians within contemporary music.
Programme modules will cover the following content:
- Principal Instrument: Instrumental Technique, Phrasing, Tone, Time, Rhythm, Accompaniment, Transcription, Improvisation, Repertoire, Composition.
- Arranging: Advanced Arranging, Score Writing and Instrumentation Concepts, Conducting and Directing Techniques, Score Reduction and Management Techniques.
- Ensemble Workshop: Re-Interpreting and Performing Music Authentically in Commercial Style, Working With Artists and Directing Ensembles, Reading Lead Sheets, Improvising in a Range of Musical Styles.
- Composition For Film & Other Media: Analysis & technique, Composition, Orchestration, Case Studies, Live Recordings, Mixing for Film.
- Digital Distribution & Marketing: Musician and Artist Branding, Audience Identification, Content Planning, Social Media Optimisation, Digital Distribution, Utilising Meaningful Metrics.
- Major Project: Reflective and Academic Writing, Project Management, Research Methodologies, Ethical Implications and Impacts, Partners and Strategy.
Progression
This course is designed to equip you with the skills, theoretical knowledge and connections necessary to establish a lasting career in music. The list below highlights a non-exhaustive list of the options available:
- Professional session musician
- Arranger
- Musical director
- Band member
- Songwriter
- Film scoring
- Executive, manager, administrator, officer in the music or wider entertainment industry
- Executive, manager, administrator, officer in any business
- Music industry entrepreneur
- Instrumental music teacher
- Project manager
Upon graduation, students would be well-placed to pursue a PhD or other advanced degrees in music-related subject areas.
COURSE STRUCTURE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry will also be subject to portfolio review and audition.
In addition, a minimum second-class honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK awarding body or college recognised equivalent international qualification.
Significant equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
Plus, English language competency equivalent to CEFR Level C1 (7.0 overall, 6.5 in each category) if from a non-majority English language speaking country;
The personal statement is an important part of your application and is your chance to tell us about your aims in the music industry and why this course would benefit your music performing career. Your ability to communicate effectively is important, so the quality of your writing is a factor in how we make our decision. In particular, we will be looking for you to show your interest music and creativeness, demonstrated by one or more of the following:
- Being able to perform an instrument either taught or self-taught at a professional level
- Current music activities as a graduate
- Performing music as a soloist, a band member or forming a band
- Writing or arranging music