Cerddoriaeth (MA)

Dysgu ac asesu

Sut y caf fy addysgu?

Teaching of academic modules is delivered primarily through seminars and small-group tutorials, and you will have the opportunity to develop your own interests through fieldwork, interdisciplinary study, and other areas of work.

Our regular series of workshops and masterclasses allow you to work directly with distinguished composers and performers.

You will be expected to attend and participate in a weekly Postgraduate Forum and to attend the School’s research lecture series, which attracts visiting speakers from around the world.

Performance

In addition to the academic modules delivered through tutorials and seminars, instrumental/vocal tuition is delivered on a one-to-one basis with your allocated instrumental/vocal tutor. Instrumental/vocal teaching will total no more than 24 hours throughout the duration of the programme. In addition, you will be expected to pursue private reading, listening, instrumental/vocal practice, attend and participate in the seminars of the weekly Postgraduate Forum (including presentations) and John Bird research lectures. Attendance at all seminars and tutorials, including the Postgraduate Forum and John Bird lectures is compulsory.

You will also participate in a range of ensembles (e.g. University Orchestra / Choir, Contemporary Music Group) and will be required to perform in the Advanced Performance classes along with the opportunity to take part in Postgraduate Performance seminars.

Recital programmes will be your own choice made in consultation with your allocated instrumental/vocal tutor and the recital module leader who will also give formal approval of the proposed programmes.

The dissertation-equivalent Stage Two Public Recital requires a work composed within the last fifty years to be included. (Exceptions are made for those who may be period instrument specialists, e.g. Baroque flute).

Composition

Teaching of the composition modules is via individual one-to-one tutorials. Teaching of the academic and technical areas of the discipline is delivered through tutorials and seminars (for each module).

Attendance at all seminars and tutorials is compulsory. You will be expected to pursue private study and participate in the seminars of the weekly Postgraduate Forum (including presentations), John Bird research lectures, and Composition Seminars.

For the Stage Two Thesis Composition Portfolio, you will be allocated a supervisor who will guide and advise during the Spring Semester through five 60-minute individual sessions.

Music Studies

Teaching of academic modules is delivered via tutorials and seminars (for each module). Attendance at all seminars and tutorials is compulsory. In addition, you will be expected to pursue private study and attend and participate in the seminars of the weekly Postgraduate Forum (including presentations) and John Bird research lectures.

For the Stage Two Dissertation, you will be allocated a supervisor who will guide and advise during the Spring Semester through a minimum of five 60-minute individual sessions.

Sut y caf fy asesu?

Performance

The taught modules are assessed in a variety of ways including:

• Oral presentations
• Ensemble performance
• Musicianship examinations
• Music editing (in musical notation)
• Solo performance (involving an accompanist as required) in a 30-minute Closed Recital (Stage One) and a 45-minute Public Performance (Stage Two)
• Printed programme with scholarly programme notes and performance diary (Stage Two).

Composition

The taught modules within the programme are assessed through the following:

• Composition portfolios
• Essays
• Written reports and/or commentaries
• IT computer-based notational assignments (incl. editing)
• Oral presentations
• Orchestrations.

Music Studies

The taught modules within the programme are assessed through the following:

• Extended essays
• Written reports
• Field work, as needed
• Oral presentations
• Dissertation (12–15,000 words).

The opportunity to test knowledge and understanding will also be provided through reflective seminar participation reports.

Sut y caf fy nghefnogi?

At the start of the year you will be given a guide to module aims, learning outcomes, methods of assessment, module syllabuses, and reading and listening lists. Your allocated personal tutor will be able to provide advice and guidance on module choices and you will have regular meetings with them.

For the stage two projects you will have a supervisor to monitor progress and provide individual consultations by arrangement.

Instrumental tuition for performance pathway students is fully funded by the School of Music on your principal study instrument, including accompaniment at recitals. You will receive 24 hour-long lessons over the duration of the course.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback

You will receive written feedback on all assessments. The opportunity to test knowledge and understanding will also be provided through the weekly seminars of the Postgraduate Forum.

Pa sgiliau y byddaf yn eu hymarfer a’u datblygu?

You will acquire and develop a range of valuable discipline-specific skills, as well as employability, research, communication and presentation skills.

Performers will acquire specific skills, such as the practical and interpretative musical skills associated with your chosen instrument or voice, an understanding of the relationship between the history and practice of music, knowledge of repertoires and recent developments in performance practice, as well as participating in lecture-recital, public recital and ensemble recitals.

Composers can expect to acquire specific skills, such as knowledge and understanding of contemporary compositional techniques, IT skills in music notation inputting and editing, the ability to rehearse an ensemble, communicate musical intentions to performers via notation and written instructions, direct a rehearsal of your own composition as a conductor, and illustrate how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge.

If you are following the music studies pathway, you will acquire specific skills, such as the ability to analyse and process  complex texts, ideas and concepts, develop different forms of academic writing, experience of oral and written presentations, gain an understanding of standard bibliographies, catalogues and other reference material in music, develop research techniques and choice of appropriate sources to aid individual research, undertake complex library-based research, undertake field work and interpret a range of quantitative and qualitative data.

Gwybodaeth arall

Our Postgraduate Suite provides dedicated, 24-hour study facilities for postgraduate students, including computer workrooms with networked Macs and PCs, Sibelius notation software, listening rooms, photocopying facilities, a kitchen, and a social space.

Other facilities include a 250-seat Concert Hall equipped with a concert grand Steinway, Bösendorfer, and organ, chamber organ, period keyboard instruments, electro-acoustic studios, and performance-recording facilities.

An extensive onsite Music Library provides access to books, journals, CDs, and electronic resources covering western music from the medieval period to the present, as well as traditional, classical and popular music from cultures around the world.

“If anyone ever asks whether I have a ‘second home’, Cardiff will definitely be my answer. Although I had lived in Bath and London before, neither of them gave me the same impression as Cardiff has. Here, one can experience both the beauty of a British town and the prosperity of a national capital. To me, this means that I can concentrate on my studies, have a healthy and safety life, but without losing the opportunities to enjoy world-class arts, cultural and social events. These factors prompted me to come back here for my master degree.The School of Music has shown great care since the first day I received my offer. From visa, accommodation to financial supports, the school was always keen to help. Upon arrival, I received a comprehensive introduction to the course and the school. I was really surprised by all kinds of supports that are available to me, including personal tutoring, music-dedicated English sessions, and career advices for international students. Most important, I found the School open to all people, regardless of their age, backgrounds, and views. I was able to participate in a large variety of music activities, and to share my view in different academic occasions — all without worrying about doing or saying things ‘wrong’. This atmosphere is so precious for foreign students, and I still appreciate it everyday.”