Music

BA (Hons) Music

Mode: full-time

Our Music programme focuses on music as an applied art, one that is engaged with the musical world in all its diversity and excitement; from improvisation, composition and professional performance to music therapy and community music, as well as traditional music analysis and critical theory. There is something available to suit all interests. Students are taught by a core team of experienced and highly-qualified tutors together with a wide-ranging team of more than 40 specialist instrumental and vocal teachers. Tuition takes place in our modern music facilities, which include computerised recording and media studios, well-equipped practice rooms (with new grand pianos supplied by Steinway & Sons) and an acoustically superb performance venue. There are regular professional concerts and masterclasses on campus, free to students, as well as the chance to experience similar events at major UK conservatoires – places where many of our students go on to study as postgraduates.

Volunteering in Music
Volunteering plays a big part in the undergraduate experience of many Music students and can be a perfect way to build confidence and expand skills. The subject plans to offer the chance to apply for a part time internship with a local charity to students who go on to study its MA in Music Performance – a great way to meet like-minded people and students who get involved in the local community are rewarded with a real sense of achievement and a much enhanced CV.

Indicative Course Content
Strands of study available include: Performance and Direction
(Available to Single Honours, Major and Joint students)

Students are offered individual tuition in instrumental and/or vocal performance, supplemented by participation in University performance ensembles. Students receive additional training in the art of performance itself, can choose to study Alexander Technique and Yoga, and perform in at least one concert per semester, as well as their formal assessment. The Dip ABRSM and LRSM Diplomas (Performance) can also be taken as a simultaneous assessment with the degree work.

Improvisation, Composition and Arranging
(Available to Single Honours, Major and Joint students)

Students are offered choices in composition through improvisation, composing for multimedia, arranging for choirs, ensembles and orchestras. Students will also receive practical training in associated skills such as conducting, improvising, choir training, using packages such as Sibelius and Cubase, and orchestration. From the second semester of study there are usually three courses to choose from in each semester in this strand.

Style and Genre
(Available to Single Honours, Major, Joint and Minor students)

This strand includes analysis of European music over the last 400 years, as well as options to study club music, jazz, rock, world music and community music – reflecting the diverse performance interests of our students. Written tasks are often balanced by practical assignments and many modules contain workshop elements.

Single Honours Modules
Students choose between modules that offer training in Instrumental or Vocal Teaching or modules in Musical Grammar, Writing about Music, Expressing Music through Movement and Gesture, and Music and Society.

Why this Course?

• Course can be tailored to suit different strengths and interests
• We have a number of choirs, orchestras and ensembles students can join
• Around 75% practical work
• Community of 400+ student performers
• Experience of conducting and directing other musicians
• Emphasis on the development of skills in problem-solving, analysis, self-management and interpersonal skills

Careers

• Film, television and radio
• Teaching at all levels of education
• Work in various community ventures
• Music therapy
• Libraries
• Opera singers
• Group instrumentalists
• Composers
• Instrumental or vocal peripatetic teachers

Entry Requirements:
Typical entry requirements - individual offers may vary:

• A levels: DDD;
• National Diploma: Music Performance - MPP;
• Advanced / Progression Diploma: Grade D plus at least 60 points from the Additional Specialist Learning in a relevant subject A level or National Award;
• UCAS Tariff Points: The above offer typically translates to 180 - 220 UCAS tariff points with additional qualifications;
• International Baccalaureate: 26 points;
• QAA-approved Access Diploma: Pass;
• GCSEs.

Applicants with qualifications from other countries: The University of Chichester considers applicants from a wide range of countries with appropriate A level equivalent qualifications. Non native speakers of English are expected to have IELTS 6.0, or equivalent, although applicants with IELTS 5.5 can study this subject with International English Studies.

Applicants without the above formal qualifications but who have relevant skills and work / life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be assessed through a written portfolio.

Interview:
Yes, candidates will be required to demonstrate, in a practical interview, ability and interest in an instrument or voice and display musical awareness and skill.