Overview
Our four-year Bachelor of Music (BMus) undergraduate degree programme attracts talented young musicians from across the world to study with today’s finest musicians and teachers.
The BMus combines focused study in performance with supporting academic studies. Every aspect is designed to help you towards realising your full musical potential, and to prepare you for your career in music.
You will have at least one hour of one-to-one tuition per week in your Principal Study and numerous performance opportunities. We offer a wide range of activities, events, training sessions and modules for you to hone your skill in such things as studio recording and editing techniques, self-promotion and marketing, writing CVs, making funding applications, understanding the music business and working in arts management.
At the end of your third and fourth years, you submit a portfolio of materials to help prepare you for professional life after the Academy.
BMus Entry Requirements
- Performance/Composition: High standard of performing potential or composition, strong musicianship, and good aural skills.
- Music Exams: Formal exams are not required, but successful performers are typically at a Grade 8 Distinction level or higher.
- Music Theory: Grade 6 level knowledge is recommended before starting if you aren't taking school music exams.
- Keyboard Skills: No formal minimum required (unless it's your Principal Study), though Grade 5 piano is desirable to support general musicianship.
See Entry Requirements for full academic and international criteria.
Modules
Undergraduate students take weekly academic classes in addition to their principal study. The classes are designed to complement and add to every student’s creative development as performers.
Core Modules - Years 1 and 2
- Analytical Skills 1
- Analytical Skills 2
- Performing In Context 1
- Performing In Context 2
- Aural Skills 1
- Aural Skills 2
- Score Reading
- Artist Development
Elective Modules - Years 3 and 4
- Analysis of Post-Tonal Music
- Approaching the Great Luthiers
- Attentive Listening
- Aural Skills, Further
- Baroque Performance on Historical Instruments
- Baroque Performance on Historical Instruments, Advanced
- Compositional Techniques of the Germanic Traditions c.1780-c.1880
- Conducting, Advanced
- Conducting, Intermediate
- Contemporary Music Workshop
- Crossing Cultural Frontiers
- Free Composition for Performers
- Free Composition for Performers, Advanced
- Fugue
- Listening to Mozart, Thinking about Mozart, Playing Mozart
- Maestro: a History of Conducting through Film, Recordings and Marked Scores
- Messiaen in Context
- Methods in the Analysis of Tonal Music, Advanced
- Mozart’s Operas
- Musical Aesthetics and Criticism
- Open Academy
- Open Academy. Advanced
- Performing Baroque Music (with a focus on Handel)
- Performing Experimental Music
- Repertoire Studies
- Research Project
- Silent Film Improvisation
- Song Accompaniment
- Studio Performance
- Worldwide Repertoires
Classes and Activities
Principal Study is the core of your programme. It is taught in individual lessons with your Principal Study Professor and through a range of Artist Development activities organised by your Department. You receive one hour of individual tuition per week.
You may well also take a Related Study instrument (for example, the sackbut for a trombonist or the natural horn for a horn player). It may be possible for you to take an additional Second Study (such as piano for a trumpeter), but competition for the limited provision of Second Study lessons is extremely strong. Alternatively, you can apply to do this at the start of the academic year.
In addition to the weekly individual lessons, both undergraduate and postgraduate brass students participate in:
Orchestral studies
Each instrument group holds classes where you will study standard repertoire and orchestral excerpts which are a crucial part of all professional auditions. These classes are taken by Academy professors who have exceptional knowledge and professional experience.
Chamber music
Both allocated and self-generated chamber music for brass and mixed ensembles plays a major role in the Brass Department. All groups receive coaching from Academy professors and the Head of Brass, who help to guide and prepare you for assessed performances and frequent public concerts. The Academy promotes successful chamber ensembles and many current and former student brass ensembles have been given Fellowships, appointed Ensemble in Residence or given prestigious performance opportunities to support and raise the profiles of emerging brass ensembles.
Masterclasses
All brass students play in masterclasses during their time at the Academy. These performances and learning opportunities are for you to receive objective feedback on your solo playing and to observe the way an artist can guide a student in enhancing their performance. Public and private masterclasses given by distinguished artists take place throughout the year.
Performance classes
Performance classes are led by leading brass professionals several times each term. These give you an opportunity to experiment and explore communication skills in solo repertoire and to receive direct feedback about all aspects of your performance.
Symphonic Brass Ensemble
Held once or twice each term, this ensemble regularly performs both within the Academy and in venues throughout London. The ensemble has made several successful recordings and occasionally goes on tour.
Auditions
We want you to view your audition as a recital rather than a rigid test. Our panel is looking for your unique musical personality, your tone quality, and your potential for growth. Try to relax, focus on your storytelling through the instrument, and let us hear who you are as a musician.
Your Audition Repertoire
For your undergraduate audition (applying for the Bachelor of Music or Gap Year pathways), you must prepare a short performance programme that displays your stylistic versatility and technical command.
Repertoire Guidelines:
- Duration: A free-choice programme lasting between 10 to 15 minutes in total.
- Original Composition Requirement: At least one of the works in your programme must be an original composition written specifically for your instrument (not an arrangement or transcription).
- Tuba Specifics: Tuba candidates should perform their audition programme using an F tuba or an Eb tuba.
Technical Elements & Sight-Reading
During live auditions, you may also be asked to complete the following:
- Technical Exercises: You may be asked to play scales, arpeggios, and related technical work up to an ABRSM Grade 8 standard.
- Sight-Reading: You may be given a short sight-reading piece or a quick study test to assess your real-time reading and interpretation skills.
What to Expect on Audition Day
1. Delivery Options & Timings
- In-Person (London): Live brass auditions typically last around 20 minutes. Because live audition time is strictly limited, please do not worry if the panel interrupts you before you finish a piece—this is standard procedure to ensure they hear a balance of your repertoire and technical skills within the timeframe.
- Video Auditions: If you are auditioning remotely, you must upload one unedited video containing your complete 10-to-15-minute audition programme to the Acceptd portal. Following the panel's review of your footage, you may be invited to an online interview with the Head of Brass.
2. Academic Interview & Aural Skills Assessment
All undergraduate applicants participate in an interview with a member of our academic staff. This is a relaxed conversation designed to get to know your musical background, tastes, and future study goals.
During this session, you will discuss a short extract of music and complete an Aural Skills Assessment consisting of:
- Sight-singing a short test melody.
- Singing the middle notes in a played chord.
- Identification of musical intervals.
- Sight-reading of rhythms.
- Simultaneous polyrhythms: Sight-reading two different rhythms at the same time (singing one rhythm while clapping the other simultaneously).
Please note: Specimen tests are not published or distributed in advance.
For more information see auditions.