Postgraduate Advanced Diploma (Performance)

Introduction

This postgraduate programme provides an ideal bridge to the music profession for advanced students who have already completed a master's degree.

The programme is suitable for advanced postgraduates who have already completed a Masters degree or PG Diploma and who wish to take their already strong skills to the highest possible level. It aims to equip students with the necessary musical skills, insight and and experience required by the contemporary profession in its widest sense but with a focus on the Western Classical and Jazz traditions; the Jazz pathway offers discrete comprehensive specialist training.

Course Details

This is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time Level 7 programme which enables graduates to create music as instrumentalists, vocalists or composers at a highly professional and employable standard. You will have established a secure artistic personality and developed a range of sophisticated professional skills. As an emerging artist you will have created music – solo, small and large ensemble – in a variety of settings and in relation to a range of audiences. You will have gained understanding of the music profession and its audiences in contemporary society. Through your understanding of audience you will develop collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurial skills in support of a professional career. The programme prepares you to communicate at the highest levels as an artist through your instrument/voice/compositions and to engage audiences through informed discussion and text where appropriate.

The programme is designed to allow the skills and experience of the individual student to flourish and for new skills and insights to be gained. The programme is structured to enable progressive development through the material studied and the assessments undertaken, leading to your increased autonomy and independence as a learner, in preparation for professional life and/or study at Level 8.

Assessment

Assessment methods as far as possible mirror professional contexts. In the assessment for ‘Professional Studies’ performance/composition activities will include a combination of solo, chamber/small ensemble, large ensemble and technical work. These will be supplemented by written/oral assignments requiring critical reflection on a range of contextual matters (the wider profession, audience, the concept of the informed performer etc).