School of Music

Postgraduate Taught MMus Programmes

MMus Composition
MMus Performance

 

 

Download our MMus Programmes brochure [PDF]

The School of Music offers one of the largest and most diverse music programmes in the UK, with an emphasis on flexibility and student choice.

We have intentionally designed a flexible modular scheme of postgraduate taught study to allow our students to explore new musical skills, increase employability, consolidate areas of expertise, and inform their own research through greater understanding of related fields.

Students enrolled on either MMus course will have the option to choose modules from the other for part of their studies.

 

MMus Programmes The School of Music offers two distinct MMus programmes and those students who wish to embrace additional outlooks may choose from a range of MMus modules as part of their studies.
MMus Composition	MMus Performance
This programme aims to equip aspiring composers with a variety of techniques and practical experience to enable them to pursue their creative goals to a fully professional level with confidence, imagination, and the appropriate means. Autumn – core modules Study Skills Complementary Studies: Repertory Study Composition I Spring – core module Composition II Spring – optional Students choose two of the following Orchestration Conducting and Ensemble Direction Module from the MA programmes Stage Two Students will be required to submit a Composition Portfolio, focussed on the composing of a large-scale work (or works).	The programme offers specialist practical tuition (instrumental/vocal lessons) supplemented by modules in the history, technique, repertory, teaching principles and performance issues associated with the student’s chosen instrument or voice. Autumn – core modules Study Skills Organology and Technique Performance I: Closed Recital Spring – core module Repertory Spring – optional Students choose either Performance Practice or two of the following: Composition Conducting Historical Performance Stage Two Students will be required to present a public recital of 45-60 minutes’ duration, provide a printed programme with scholarly notes, and undergo a viva-voce examination.

All students take 180 credits, including a final 60-credit project. Core timetabling which applies to all postgraduate taught programmes is as follows:
MUT001 Research Skills and MUT002 Study Skills: weekly seminars throughout the Autumn Semester (Wednesdays, 11am-12.30pm)
Postgraduate Forum: weekly meetings throughout both semesters (Thursdays at 11.10am)
John Bird Seminars: regular talks throughout both semesters (Tuesdays at 4.30pm)

In addition, students taking the MMus in Composition attend weekly Composers' Seminars throughout both semesters (Tuesdays at 3.10pm).

MMus in Composition

Programme Director: Dr Arlene Sierra

The MMus is designed to equip aspiring composers with a variety of techniques as well as practical experience. It will appeal to students who wish to explore the diversity of contemporary musical language to develop their own compositional voice. Students have regular workshop opportunities with professional performers including the resident Carducci Quartet, as well as performance opportunities with the Cardiff Contemporary Music Group. The weekly Composition Seminar allows for in-depth exploration of new and recent repertoire, including classes with guest composers and Distinguished Visiting Professor Judith Weir.

MMus in Performance

Programme Director: Dr Caroline Rae

The MMus in Performance is intended for proven performers who are also committed to academic enquiry into areas that enhance and support their practical studies. It includes aspects of research methodology, of the history, repertory, performing techniques and teaching principles of the chosen instrument (or voice) and two recitals. Instrumental/vocal tuition is included in the teaching provision.