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PG Dip and MMus Performance, MMus Composition

MMus in Composition

Introduction

The MMus in Composition is one of the most intensive programmes at the Royal Academy of Music, requiring that composers engage in a demanding schedule of project-work as set out by the Programme Co-ordinator.

The aim is for the students to consolidate their technical skills and to gather experience of composing in as wide a range of professional contexts as possible, whilst stimulating the development of their particular compositional personalities. Analysis and critical reflection are conceived as vital to this balance of internal and external stimuli, so that all postgraduate composers are required to engage in some kind of academic project-work and all are registered as part of an MMus programme.

The MMus is designed as a two-year programme, (240 credits), with faculty projects and skills classes being set out as a progression over that time-span. Only in exceptional circumstances would a candidate be judged capable of taking the programme in one year.

Postgraduate composers are expected to become involved in concerts and different kinds of collaborative work, to make the most of the Academy’s thriving environment.

Core Composition

Aims and Objectives
The central component of the MMus programme is designed to help students develop a distinctive compositional personality and to equip them to deal effectively with a wide range of professional demands.

Learning Outcomes
Students will have strengthened and refined their technical skills as composers and learned how to adapt them to the challenge of writing for different resources and to meet different functions. They will thus have learned to respond confidently to external demands, even when working under pressure. They will also have developed a high degree of self-criticism so that they can reflect upon their distinctiveness as composers in relation to the practice of others, and will know how best to work upon and expand their own compositional personalities.

Portfolio (120 credits over 2 years)
A number of items, as specified in faculty requirements and negotiated with the Head of Department.

Profile Report on Faculty Activity (80 credits over 2 years)
Reports from individual lessons and from coursework in:

Conducting
Orchestration
Analysis
Skills Tests (including Take-Away paper and special projects).

Project Work

Aims and Objectives
This credit-component is designed to encourage the students to reflect critically upon their activity as composers and to refine their skills in academic and practical presentation.

Learning Outcomes
Students will have learned how to present an analysis (whether of their own music or of another composer’s) in a convincing written format that meets the standards of postgraduate academic work. They will also have learned how to communicate their musical ideas effectively in live presentation—whether in the context of a seminar, rehearsal or concert—so combining academic and practical skills.

Analysis Project (20 credits)
A written project of c. 5–8,000 words

Concert Presentation (20 credits)
Students organise and present a concert of their own music.


Alex Campkin (MMus Composition)

‘During my first year here I have written for many different ensembles, including a commission from the Academy’s String Orchestra, a work for the BBC Singers and a collaboration with the Bristol School of Animation. In addition, I am enjoying composing for numerous workshops, taking music technology classes, and studying conducting.

Tuition takes the form of regular lessons, classes and seminars, and there are frequent and insightful workshops and lectures from visiting composers and performers. Whilst this is all extremely demanding, I can find the time to pursue other activities:
I have been able to write several pieces beyond my course, organise concerts and conduct a choir.

The Academy is a buzzing hive of energy. Both students and staff are incredibly motivated, making it a pleasure to work here. All this, right on the doorstep of all the cultural events London has to offer.’
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