BA Music and Drama

The Department of Music will provide first-year bursaries to support undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional levels of achievement in their instrumental and/or vocal studies. These £1000 bursaries will be awarded in the first year of study (2024/25 academic year), paid direct to students in two instalments.

More information, including eligibility criteria, can be found here.

This course offers a choice of two options for level 2 students who want to develop their conducting skills. Please note that in the event of Covid-related restrictions, content and assessment may need to be adapted. Students taking this course will choose one of the following:

• Orchestral and Choral Conducting
• Conducting in Education and Community Music

Orchestral and Choral Conducting

This option provides a firm technical grounding in conducting, focussing on building students’ skills working with large ensembles, orchestras and choirs. This encompasses rehearsal skills, preparation of scores, as well as building the techniques of conducting: developing and communicating an interpretation of a score to ensembles, and using precise physical gestures not only to keep musicians in time, but to steer them through an interpretation. Teaching takes place through regular workshops, and is supplemented where possible through opportunities to conduct MUMS ensembles. This option will be taught by Robert Guy.

Conducting in Education and Community Music

This option is aimed at students who are interested in working in music education at schools and music hubs, as well as community music making. It has a particular focus on equipping aspiring music teachers and community based leaders. The course aims to provide confidence and skill set to lead youth orchestras, bands, choirs and ensembles. Teaching will take place through a series of workshops, and will be focused around skills and approaches that will help with specific scenarios, for example leading a school choir or orchestra, working with community or amateur groups, people with disabilities, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, etc. This option will be taught by Robert Guy.

• To expand upon skills already established in MUSC 10600 by confronting performance contexts involving collaboration with other musicians.
• To facilitate the development of students’ creative imagination and skills of critical self-awareness when working in a collaborative performance context.
• To lead through example, and facilitate other musicians in bringing their best to ensemble performance
   

• Demonstrate increased understanding of how music works and the contexts in which it is performed.
• Agree on an interpretation or arrangement with other performers, and apply an informed understanding of musical style and structure in order to realise that interpretation.
   

• Show an enhanced ability to understand and apply analytical skills to music, and convey that understanding to other musicians.
• Engage with other musicians in meaningful dialogue about music and its interpretation.  
   

• Demonstrate enhanced performance abilities in the skill areas cultivated by the chosen sub-unit.
• Respond to and collaborate with other musicians whilst performing.
   

• Demonstrate enhanced skills in problem-solving, interpersonal communication, rehearsal techniques and the practical application of analytical and interpretative insights. 
• Demonstrate the confidence and interpersonal skills required to work effectively in groups, showing skills relating to teamwork, negotiation, decision-making and leadership.
   

Student take one of:

Orchestral and Choral Conducting 100%

Conducting in Education and Community Music 100%

Formative

Workshops/coaching sessions; group discussion; individual discussion with tutor; reflection on informal performances.

Summative

Written feedback on final assessed performance    
 

• Barenboim, D. (2008) Everything is Connected – The Power of Music. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. 
• Bowen, J. (ed). (2003) The Cambridge Companion to Conducting. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Del Mar, N. (1987)Anatomy of the Orchestra. Berkeley: University of California Press. 
• Durrant, C.(2003) Choral Conducting: philosophy and practice. London: Routledge. 
• Jordan, J.    (1996)    Evoking Sound: fundamentals of choral conducting and rehearsing New York: GIA Publications.
• Seaman, C.(2013) Inside Conducting. Rochester NY: Rochester University Press.
• Service, T. (2012) Music as Alchemy: Journeys with Great Conductors and their Orchestras. London: Faber & Faber.
• Wigglesworth, M. (2018) The Silent Musician. Faber & Faber
• Wittry, D.(2007) Beyond the Baton: what every conductor needs to know. Oxford: Oxford University Press.