menu icon
Book your open day visit nowClick to book open day
Orchestral Performance (Strings) MMus

Different course options

Study mode

Full time

Duration

2 years

Start date

SEP

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

Mmus/MusM - Master of Music

Subject areas

Orchestral Playing Stringed Instrument Playing

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

Overview

Developed in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), our MMus courses in Orchestral Performance are for advanced level string players considering professional orchestral auditions and on the brink of a professional career.

In addition to one-to-one specialist tuition, you will spend a significant amount of rehearsal time in the CBSO alongside one or more dedicated host players who will act as mentors. You may also be offered opportunities to play at the back of the section to gain further experience. In addition to developing your technical facility, musicianship, interpretative skills and stylistic awareness, you will expand your knowledge of orchestral repertoire, learn how to prepare for rehearsal in the most efficient way, develop strategies which will help you to integrate within your section, and build confidence in preparing for orchestral auditions.

You will also participate in additional performance activities within the Conservatoire’s String Department and the wider Conservatoire, including performance classes, masterclasses, orchestra and chamber music.You'll have full access to our superb £57 million facilities, including our Concert Hall, 150-seat Recital Hall, our black box performance space known as The Lab, and more than 70 practice rooms, ensemble rooms and workshops; all acoustically designed to provide a music-making environment that is world class.

What's covered in the course?

  • Specialist individual tuition.
  • One or two dedicated CBSO mentors.
  • Regular opportunities to rehearse within the CBSO.
  • Access to a range of departmental activities and to masterclasses with distinguished visiting guest artists within the Conservatoire.
  • Frequent chances to perform within the Conservatoire, including solo, chamber and orchestral opportunities.
  • A core career development module designed to get your thinking about your future professional plans.

Modules

As a postgraduate string player following our Orchestral Performance pathway at postgraduate level, the Principal Study 2: Orchestral Performance module builds on the performance skills acquired in the Principal Study Project 1 module. The focus of this module is entirely on your own continued development as an orchestral string player, and especially on developing your capacity to develop your own playing within the orchestral context. The module clearly supports you in adopting an ever- increasing degree of professionalism in all aspects. Further experience within the CBSO will lead not only to the enhancement of your individual playing skills but to greater confidence in developing your own playing within the orchestra and a fuller awareness of the professional context. You will continue to advance your technical facility, musicianship and interpretative skills, and to further enhance, through research, your stylistic awareness and knowledge of the repertoire. A sound knowledge of standard orchestral repertoire in particular, familiarity with the typical orchestral audition process and experience of playing within a professional orchestra are all likely to improve your chances of progression into the profession.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£11,500

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£24,950

Entry requirements

UK students should normally hold an honours degree, ideally but not necessarily in Music. Non-UK students should hold a Bachelor's degree or a similar degree-equivalent diploma, ideally but not necessarily in Music.