As Britain’s oldest conservatoire, we are inspired by the past but committed to shaping contemporary musical life with discernment and open-mindedness.

Classes

Below you will find a list of the types of classes and modules that have been on offer at the Academy.

Core Modules

This CPD Diploma course is an opportunity for professional portfolio career musicians to gain valuable skills, knowledge and practical experience in the field of community and participation.

On this course you will take part in lectures and seminars at the Academy, covering topics including:

  • Designing, leading and evaluating projects for schools
  • Improvisation and collaborative composition
  • Work with older people, including those living with dementia
  • Hospitals and health care settings
  • Working with people with special educational needs
  • Early Years settings
  • Cross-arts work

You will benefit from 20 hours of one-to-one tutorials throughout the year, which may be used flexibly. You may wish to group your hours of tutorials into blocks of several hours at key points in the year — for example to explore a specific topic in more depth, or in preparation for a practical project which you would define and lead in the summer term.

You will be required to keep a learning journal over the course of the year. You will be encouraged to draw on this when submitting a reflective portfolio which examines the skills and abilities required for creative leadership, the extent to which you feel that you have progressed, your strengths, and the areas that require further attention.

As well as being offered opportunities to be part of Open Academy projects, you may also be offered placements on projects with some of our partners, including Wigmore Hall, English National Opera, The City Lit, Camden Music Education Hub and Spitalfields Music.

In the final term of the course, you will be supported to design, lead and evaluate your own project.

Please note that as part of the audition process, you will be required to perform on your principal study and take part in an improvisation activity. Composers will be asked to submit a portfolio of compositions.

Open Days

Open Days are the perfect way to discover more about the Academy and whether it’s the right place for you.

Find out practical information about the application process, finances and career development on the Open Days Home Page.

Woodwind players in a large group rehearsal