Trombone (Tenor)

Professional Diploma (Performance)
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Overview

The Academy’s Professional Diploma is a one-of-a-kind programme for students who are looking for a specially tailored extra year of study to provide a competitive edge in building a career. The course is for performance candidates who wish to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to their Principal Study. It is a one-year specialist and intensive Diploma at Level 7 within the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (post-Masters). 

Candidates should have the potential and aspiration to succeed at the highest international standard. Applicants must normally hold a postgraduate degree and put forward a project proposal outlining what they hope to achieve.

It is a highly focused combination of one-to-one tuition and professional development activity built around the needs of each individual student in consultation with the ProfDip Programme Tutor and the relevant Head of Department. Applicants will normally have completed a master’s degree but the programme is available to all applicants of the appropriate standard.

Training

In addition to the 45 hours of one-to-one tuition, all postgraduate students undertake an extensive programme of departmental activity targeted to their specialist focus.

Specialisms

Examples of specialisms include:

  • Opera repetiteurship
  • Historical Performance for modern instrumentalists
  • Preparation for opera studies
  • Orchestral Doubling specialisms (eg contrabassoon or piccolo)
  • Collaborative piano
  • Composition for television, film and media
  • Flute and piano duo repertoire from the first half of the twentieth century
  • Extended techniques on the cello
  • The German school of tuba playing, with an emphasis upon orchestral performance
  • The study of poets: lieder with texts by Shakespeare and Goethe
  • The role of the principal viola in an orchestra

Guides, Handbooks & Specifications

Entry Requirements

  • Academic: 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.
  • Performance: A performance standard at least equivalent to recognised postgraduate degrees and a clear sense of a direction (specialism) for further study.

You must complete a proposal document if you wish to be considered for the Professional Diploma. Your proposal should be included in your Acceptd profile.

Using the template below, please provide a one-page proposal outlining your chosen particular specialism and your intended individual learning outcomes for the course.

The aim of the Professional Diploma is to provide a platform for specialist professional development, which will allow you to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to your Principal Study.

There are several areas in which we recognise particular needs:

  • Historical Performance
  • Change of discipline (for example Piano to Piano Accompaniment)
  • Related instrument specialisms
  • Chamber Music (to be explored in detail at approval)
  • New Music
  • Compositional specialisms (e.g. working with other media)
  • Special repertoire projects
  • Collaborative Recording Production

This is not an exhaustive list and we could consider individual applications for other specialisms.

Applying for both the Professional Diploma and Advanced Professional diploma pathways

Students completing the Professional Diploma (PD) in June will also be eligible to apply to the Advanced Professional Diploma (APD) as a nine-month enrolment starting the following September in Year 2 of the course.

The first year of the APD is identical to the PD, meaning that the PD will be a potential exit award for students unable to continue into, or complete, the second year of the APD.

If you want to apply for either of these courses alongside your main application, you do not need to create a second profile or submit a new application on UCAS Conservatoires.

Instead, simply follow these two steps:

  1. Opt-in: When prompted in Acceptd, indicate that you would like to be considered.
  2. Upload your documents: Add the required specialist proposal document (for the Prof Dip) or written requirements (for the Adv Prof Dip) directly to your existing Acceptd profile.

Auditions & Assessments

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 technical command, 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.

The Professional Diploma selection process is integrated into our postgraduate audition framework, allowing candidates to demonstrate their advanced artistic maturity through a practical performance programme.

Your Audition Repertoire

For your postgraduate audition, you must prepare an advanced performance programme that highlights your technical mastery, musical breadth, and interpretive capability.

Repertoire Guidelines:

  • Duration: A free-choice programme lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes in total.
  • Stylistic Contrast: Your selected programme must include a substantial variety of works from contrasting historical periods and diverse musical styles.

What to Expect on Audition Day

1. Delivery Options & Practical Assessment

  • In-Person (London): Live auditions typically last around 30 minutes. As live audition time is strictly limited, the panel may choose to hear selected sections of your pieces rather than the full programme. This is standard procedure to ensure they experience a balanced overview of your technical skills and repertoire.
  • Video Auditions: If you are auditioning remotely, you must upload one unedited video containing your complete performance programme to the Acceptd portal. Your recording must be captured under clear audio and visual conditions.

2. Postgraduate Interview

All Professional Diploma candidates participate in a structured conversation with senior faculty members. This interview is designed to explore your musical background, artistic philosophies, professional aims, and how this specific intensive diploma will support your immediate career trajectory.

In addition to your practical repertoire, your digital application profile must contain:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current copy of your CV detailing your education, masterclasses, and concert history.
  • Spoken English Introduction: A short recorded verbal introduction introducing yourself and your professional goals to the faculty panel.

Please note: The Professional Diploma is designed for musicians who already hold a Master's degree or equivalent professional experience. Your ultimate course placement remains flexible; the panel may discuss and recommend a different postgraduate pathway (such as the MMus or MA) during your assessment if they feel it better matches your academic needs.

For more information see auditions.

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