Music
Introduction
A challenging and focused programme, the Postgraduate Diploma in Music offers the opportunity to develop musicianship in a range of specialist fields to a very high level. Postgraduate students join a thriving department, studying music from foundation to doctorate level, in a community dedicated to creating and recreating music. Members of the PGDip Programme are enabled to make a leading contribution to the musical life of the University, the city of Canterbury and the wider community.
Overlapping with the larger Masters programme, the PGDip comprises a selection of modules to a total value of 120 credits. Where the full MMus programme represents a broad range of musical and intellectual skills, the PGDip, allows students to tailor a pathway that is suited to their specialist strengths and interests.
The diploma is offered either one year full-time, or two years part-time and may be pursued in one of the following Principal Study areas:
- Performance (e.g. solo instrumental or vocal, piano accompaniment, chamber music)
- Conducting
- Composition (e.g. Instrumental & vocal composition, electroacoustic composition, popular songwriting)
Shorter modules include:
- Chamber music
- Accompanying skills
- Interpretation & analysis
- Aesthetics
- Performance practices
- Music arts & health
- Music production
- Instrumental teaching & learning.
It should be noted that not all courses are available in any one year. A distinguished staff of resident and visiting specialists contribute to courses through lectures, seminars, workshops and masterclasses. Students also participate in a range of public performances and concert activity, within the University and beyond.
Assessment
Assessment, as appropriate to the Principal Study, is made through public performance, coursework, the presentation of portfolios of compositions, or recordings. All students receive a formative assessment at a mid-point of their course, and are required to pass every component of the programme.
Entry Requirements
Candidates will normally be expected to have gained a good honours degree in music, or an equivalent, and be able to show that their academic background in music is sufficient for development at postgraduate level. Audition/interview panels will also seek evidence of the candidate's ability to work independently, to critically assess their own work, to set goals accordingly and to pursue them with discipline and commitment.
The selection of entrants is normally based on audition/interview in the Music Department. Audition programmes for performance-based Principal Study courses should be approximately twenty minutes long, and demonstrate a range of musical styles and techniques. For other Principal Study courses, a portfolio of previous work should be submitted for consideration. All applicants will be invited to offer evidence of their previous experience in the proposed area of specialisation. This may consist of programmes from recent public performances, composition scores, recordings or written work.
Candidates applying from overseas may submit, in lieu of an interview, recorded evidence of their work. In the case of Performance and Conducting, this should be in the form of video or DVD recordings.
Scholarships and Prizes
The Larissa Lovelock Memorial Scholarship is available to outstanding graduates of Canterbury Christ Church University who have proceeded to postgraduate study.
The Canterbury Festival Composition prize is a cash award, available through open competition to students of composition in the department.
Further Information
Programme Director Kim Burwell will be glad to deal with further enquiries.
How to Apply
An application form can be downloaded from here.
Copies are also available from:
Student Recruitment (Postgraduate Office)
Canterbury Christ Church University
North Holmes Road
Canterbury
CT1 1QU
Telephone: 01227 782900
Fax: 01227 782888
Email:
admissions@canterbury.ac.uk
