Course description
APPLICATIONS
Complete and submit the MMus Music
Application Form citing two referees. You
should enclose:
i) An example of a completed piece of
written work on a musical topic.
ii) Audition fee of ?20 (cheques made
payable to the University of
Huddersfield HEC).
iii) Details of programme for audition.
If shortlisted you will be called for a
formal audition and required to perform a
varied programme about 20 minutes
in length.
Introduction
In common with the University's undergraduate courses, our postgraduate programmes aim to
combine creative and analytical study. However, with their highly practical emphasis, they differ from
other courses available in the university sector. Traditionally, universities have placed a greater emphasis
on the academic aspect of performance with few institutions able to offer either the performing
environment or the level of staffing, facilities and equipment available at Huddersfield. On the other
hand, our high academic requirements distinguish these courses from the postgraduate diplomas
offered by the conservatoires which concentrate exclusively on performance to equip students solely
for a performance career. In achieving a balance between these two traditions, we seek to capitalise on
the best features of both.
Course Structure
This is a course that presents modules in performance (30 per cent) and performance-centred
musicology (70 per cent). It consists of:
Performance Lessons (11 hours teaching)
Performance Studies
A series of fortnightly seminars covering a wide range of Performance topics such as:
- Historically Orientated Performance
- The Role of Analysis
- Evaluating Performance
- The Performance Text
- Performing Contemporary Music
- Preparing for Performance
- Performance Platform
Musicology
Performance case studies - areas you can study include:
-The Text of Music
- Performance Practice and Technique
- Instrumental Sonorities, both original
and modern
-The Work's Transmission and Performance
History since Composition
- Interpretative Issues
- Contextual Issues
- Dissertation or Lecture Recital
- Academic Study - all students are required to
take two lecture/seminar based modules:
- Postgraduate Study Skills
- Issues in Musical Thought and Practice Today
Teaching and Assessment
You will prepare one 20-minute recital in May related in content to work in the Performance Case
Studies and/or Dissertation.
- Performance Case Studies: either two case studies, each 3,500 words, or one of 7,000 words.
- Performance Studies: coursework of 6,000-7,000 words.
- Either a Dissertation of 15,000 words on an approved topic linked to one of the categories listed in
Performance Case Studies or a Lecture Recital of 60 minutes (in which practical performance lasts no
more that 20 minutes).
Other Information
Research Environment
The Music Department offers an outstanding research environment for both music and music
technology. The Department scored a 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, and all full-time
staff are active researchers, as performers, composers or musicologists. The Creative Arts Building
(newly completed in 2008) comprises purpose-built facilities, including concert hall, extensive studio
facilities and sound-proofed rehearsal spaces. The University Library has an impressive range of
research materials and multimedia resources, and houses special archival collections (including that of
the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival).
The School offers bursaries towards the cost of taught MA and MMus courses, which serve as ideal
preparation for research degrees (MPhil and PhD), which are offered in all disciplines. A number of
our postgraduates are employed as teaching assistants, providing a useful stepping-stone towards
an academic career. In addition to subject-specific skills students will develop their intellectual
self-confidence and capacity for independent study and a portfolio of key skills that distinguishes all
disciplines in Higher Education
