Professional Musician Diploma/Extended Diploma Level 3

The Professional Musician Extended Diploma course has been carefully developed to prepare you for a professional career in music and to study music at degree level through a broad and exciting range of music and musical activities. Based in a department that has offered music degrees for 40 years, it incorporates the opportunity to take Music AS/A Level and tuition for ABRSM theory and practical grades in order to offer you the fullest possible experience of music.

All course tutors and instrumental teachers are experienced professional musicians ranging from Glastonbury headliners to music college professors, many of whom teach at degree and masters levels. The Professional Musician Diploma course is delivered using Music Department’s superb university-style facilities and students are encouraged to join our renowned ensembles such as choirs, wind orchestra, clarinet ensembles, jazz orchestra and rock bands.

The course provides many opportunities to participate in a wide range of musical experiences. It is delivered through a combination of practical music making, classroom theory, seminars, tutorials and assignments.In addition to your main programme, You will also engage in GEM and GAP activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.

You will complete the 90 Credit Diploma in your first year and continue to the Extended Diploma in your second year.

Course Content
Professional Musician Level 3 Lessons include:

• Weekly Rerformance Workshop


• Composition and Arranging


• Developing Aural and Musicianship Skills


• Musical Theory and Harmony


• Workshops and Concerts by Professional Musicians and Ensembles


• Exploring Music History


• The Music Industry

Entry Requirements

Minimum of 5 GCSEs (grades A*- C) or Music Diploma Level 2 (Merit/Distinction). All eligible applicants will be auditioned and should have sufficient ability to succeed on the course. Candidates will be expected to perform on an instrument (which

can include voice) to a good level of proficiency at equivalent to Grade 5 ABRSM standard or above.

Career Opportunities

Students have gone on from the course to pursue careers in all aspects of the music industry from performing, teaching, composing and arranging to arts management, journalism and studio recording.

Course Progression

Around 90% of our students progress to higher education. Many progress onto the BA (Hons) in Music at Colchester Institute, while others go on to universities and colleges such as The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The Royal Academy of Music, Rotterdam Conservatoire, and The Royal Northern College.

How To Apply

Our aim is to make it as easy as possible to secure your place on your ideal programme.
Simply download and complete the relevant application form and return it to our Admissions team as early as possible.
You can return your completed application form in person or by post to our Colchester
(for applications to Colchester and Clacton) or Braintree campuses:

Admissions

Colchester Institute

Sheepen Road

Colchester

CO3 3LL

Admissions

The College at Braintree

Church Lane

Braintree

CM7 5SN

If you are currently at school, please check with them as some schools will be coordinating applications centrally.
If you have any further questions about the application process, please visit our
Frequently Asked Questions page.

Applying for a Full-Time course

Our term starts the week commencing 5th September 2016,
however you may have different start dates depending on the course.
You will receive the details of your first day over the summer period,
but if you are unsure please call our Course Enquiries line on (01206) 712777.

You will need to complete an application form for our full-time courses,
our full-time application form can be downloaded here:

Download Application Form - Full-Time Courses, Apprenticeships & Access Courses (PDF)

Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email or card within one week of the application being received by our Admissions team,
if you do not receive this you should contact the team on (01206) 712777 to check that your application has been received.

*Are you 19 or over?

If you are 19 or over on the day your course starts, and your course is an approved qualification at level 3 or above, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your tuition.

Please call (01206) 712777 for more information.