Performance

The BMus is a performance-based degree centred on Principal Study taught through individual tuition.

Students will be enabled to work in a range of collaborative artistic settings and will develop skills as leaders and innovators. Principal Study tuition is supported by Performance Projects, Principal Study Support (faculty-based classes), and Complementary Studies.

Programme Contents

Performance Studies

Principal Study Module

All students receive individual principal study tuition, offered in the full range of instruments/disciplines. From the second year of study, students may use part of their principal study tuition allocation on related instruments through Principal Study Enhancement. This flexible use of tuition may include the study of period instruments, jazz and Alexander Technique. Alternatively, it can be used solely on the principal study discipline. Where appropriate, faculties may also offer group tuition for doubling instruments and period instrument technique. In addition to individual principal study tuition, students participate in faculty-specific classes which are designed to give further support to the student’s progress as a performer/composer. This breadth of tuition enables students to meet the needs of the contemporary profession as versatile and rounded musicians.

Performance Projects Module

Students participate in a range of Performance Projects, reflecting the range of professional opportunities available to aspiring professional musicians pursuing portfolio careers. In addition to solo and ensemble performing opportunities, the programme includes education, community and outreach work, music-making with technology and other diverse music making for a range of audiences. Partnerships with external organisations offer opportunities for collaboration with artists from other cultures and disciplines, including dancers and choreographers at Laban. Students agree an individual performance programme for each year of the course.

The first two years of the BMus focus on key skills and repertoire for each instrument or discipline. In addition, students are able to experiment with new creative techniques and genres. From Year 3 onwards there are opportunities to undertake more specialised programmes of study, appropriate to students’ career aspirations. The performance programme is accompanied by seminars that develop entrepreneurial and transferable skills and in the final year, students produce their own, independent performance project as a launch pad into professional life.

Complementary Studies

• Historical Studies
• Language of Music
• Critical Skills
• Elective Pathway
  • The Creative Musician
  • Musicians in Education
  • The Informed Performer: Performing Practice

Entry Requirements

Standard Requirements:

• Grade 8 standard in Principal Study.
• 3 GCSEs (including English Language) at Grade C or above.
• Two A level passes (of which one should normally be music).

Equivalent qualifications and/or relevant prior experience may be considered.

English Language Requirements:

All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have attained one of the following English Language levels or its equivalent:

• IELTS Score of 6.0+ in all elements.
• Trinity Guildhall Grade 10 or higher.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
• TOEFL (Paper-based) Score of 550+
• TOEFL (Computer) Score of 213+
• TOEFL (Internet TOEFL) Score of 80+