Classes & activities
Core 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.
Below are the module titles for 2020-2021. For detailed information about Academic Studies, download the BMus course handbook.
BMus 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
BMus Elective Modules; Year 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
Department Classes
And Activities
Individual Lessons
You will receive 30 minutes of lesson time per week on timpani (45 minutes per week for postgraduates) and 30 minutes per week on percussion (45 minutes per week for postgraduates).
Postgraduate students can choose to study only percussion or only timpani, in which case you will receive 90 minutes per week on your chosen instrument.
Assorted Percussion
As much tuition as possible is given on related percussion instruments (tambourine, cymbals, bass drum, triangle, glockenspiel, etc), encouraging you to experiment with the techniques needed to play them in a variety of different musical situations.
Chamber Music
Percussion Ensemble and mallet groups are coached and assessed; you will collaborate with a fantastic pool of talented peers and perform frequently.
Masterclasses
The Academy has an extensive provision for marimba and solo percussion. Regular masterclasses with many of the world's leading solo percussion specialists offer excellent opportunities for aspiring solo percussionists.
Orchestral Repertoire Classes
These classes deal with playing in the orchestra, within the section, studio /sight-reading techniques, and in an audition environment. The playing techniques for all timpani and orchestral percussion instruments will be discussed in detail during these classes and there is particular focus leading up to auditions for major music festivals such as EUYO, Pacific Music Festival, Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and the Verbier Festival, and when relevant positions become vacant within the profession.
Related Study areas
You will get experience in playing drum set, marimba, baroque timpani, vibraphone, Latin American/ethnic percussion, multi-setup and concerti. Having a wide range of skills is a necessity for the profession and we aim to prepare you to be able to perform in a variety of contexts.
Should you show exceptional ability in a related study area, due consideration will be given to whether you would like to specialise in a particular area.
Artistic Excellence
We welcome the finest students from around the world to learn and perform alongside globally renowned artists, ensuring they benefit from a music-making environment of the highest quality.
