Overview
The Advanced Artist Diploma (AAD) is a one-year course for a select group of instrumentalists at the highest level.
The programme supports development of a range of industry-related skills (as appropriate to your individual profile) with mentoring provided in addition to one-to-one lessons. Successful applicants will be ready to take full advantage of a recording opportunity with world-class production and special release arrangements on major streaming platforms and/or record labels.
AAD students will be required to self-manage critical aspects of the delivery of the recording, and the range of work undertaken during the programme, in line with professional expectations. The programme is at level 8 of the FHEQ, which demands a high level of autonomy and initiative, as well as highly developed artistry.
This course is right for you if you are on the cusp of an international career and aim to develop musical collaborations at a corresponding level. It is designed to enable students to make the most of the artistic and educational opportunities afforded by the Academy and its location in the heart of London.
Entry Requirements
- Performance: You are required to have a performance standard at least equivalent to a Distinction at Master’s level.
- Academic: You are also required to have a Master’s qualification or equivalent (in a relevant subject), but the Academy welcomes applications from students who may not meet the usual academic requirements.
You will also need to include the following three items in your Acceptd profile:
- a repertoire list (repertoire that has been at performance level or that is being prepared for performance, or has been learnt recently, including the titles of the pieces as well as the composers' names).
- recording portfolio (a text list of your professional recordings, with links or details of the CD/DVD where possible)
- your ideas for the year, including a list of professional engagements to which you are already committed
Assessment
The Advanced Artist Diploma is only auditioned by in-person attendance at our London auditions in December.
Advanced Artist Diploma applicants may also take part in a formal Academic Assessment interview.
During this session, you will meet with a member of the postgraduate academic staff to discuss:
- Your individual study plans and artistic ambitions.
- A detailed review of your project proposal, evaluating the scope and academic rigor of your intended creative outcomes.
Please note: Your performance and academic reviews are handled in tandem to determine overall suitability for this highly specialised level of study.
See entry requirements for full information, including English language requirements.
Auditions: Available Instruments (London Auditions Only)
- Percussion: Adams 4-Octave Xylophone, Musser 3-Octave ProVibe, Yamaha 5-Octave Marimba, Pearl Philharmonic 14x5 Side Drum
- Timpani: Ludwig Pro Symphonic & Premier timpani (candidates choice of pedals) (Note: Candidates specialising in single-instrument pathways must still prepare both timpani and percussion repertoire).
Your Audition Repertoire
For your postgraduate audition, you must prepare a comprehensive orchestral extract portfolio alongside a solo work of your own choice.
1. Timpani Repertoire
Note: All Timpani excerpts below are available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott.
- Bartók:Concerto for Orchestra, movement 4
- R Strauss:Der Rosenkavalier (Big Waltz)
- Hindemith:Sinfonische Metamorphosen, Turandot Scherzo
- Technical Requirement:
- Perform a roll on the highest drum, going from pianissimo to fortissimo and back down to pianissimo over 4 bars of 4/4 at crotchet = 60.
2. Percussion Repertoire
- Xylophone:
- Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (xylophone part only, available in the Goldenberg book).
- Gershwin: Porgy & Bess (available in Schott's Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions).
- Hindemith: Kammermusik No. 1, Movements 1 & 4 (available in Schott's Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions).
- Vibraphone:
- Bernstein: 'Cool' from West Side Story (available in Schott's Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions).
- Side Drum:
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Movements 3 & 4 (available in Schott's Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions).
- Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole, Movements 3 & 4 (available in the Hathway Snare Drum book).
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol (available in the Goldenberg book).
- Suppé: Pique Dame Overture (available in the Goldenberg book).
- Own Choice Piece: One piece of your own choice performed on either Xylophone, Marimba, or Vibraphone.