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Postgraduate Programmes

An Introduction

(Picture: Photo of Neil Heyde and Virginia Black)

Chair of MMus Studies and Research Degrees:
Neil Heyde PhD, MMus, BMus, LMusA, Hon ARAM

As a soloist and chamber musician Neil Heyde has performed and broadcast internationally, including since the mid- 90’s as the cellist of the Kreutzer Quartet. His work at the Academy focuses on the relationships between performance, composition and analysis. He has written on analytical and collaborative issues, and is currently working on OEuvres Complètes de Claude Debussy and collaborative projects with the visual arts and film.

Tutor and Chair of Postgraduate Diploma Studies:
Virginia Black FRAM, Dip RAM

As a specialist in the virtuoso repertoire for solo harpsichord, Virginia Black has performed in many recitals and broadcasts throughout Britain and at major international festivals, and has recorded many award-winning CDs. A prize-winning student of piano and harpsichord at the Academy, she has been the Academy’s Postgraduate Tutor since 1998, Chair of Postgraduate Diploma Studies since 2003 and professor of harpsichord for many years.

Postgraduate Tutors:
Sarah Callis PhD, BA, Hon ARAM,
Nicola Eimer Dip RAM, MMus,ARAM,
David Gorton PhD, MMus, BA (Research Co ordinator).

TheTeachers
Professor Simon Bainbridge FRCM, Hon RAM (Head of Composition),
Philip Cashian DMus, BMus,
Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, MPhil, BMus, Hon RAM (Vice-Principal & Director of Studies), Amanda Glauert PhD, MA, ARCM, Hon ARAM (Head of Academic Development; Reader in Music, University of London),
Raymond Holden PhD (Research Fellow),
Roy Howat PhD, MA (Keyboard Research Fellow),
Igor Petrushevski Dip Moscow Conservatoire,
Daniel-Ben Pienaar Dip RAM, MMus, ARAM,
Peter Sheppard Skærved LRAM, ARAM (York Gate Research Fellow),
Jeremy Summerly MA, MMus, Hon RAM,
Briony Williams PhD, MMus, BMus, FTCL (MMus Co-ordinator)

Our Range of Programmes

The Academy offers the following at postgraduate level:

Postgraduate Diploma in Performance— PG Dip

Master of Music in Performance— MMus Concert Project or MMus in Performance and Research

Master of Music in Composition MMus Postgraduate Diplomas in Opera Performance (see p.09–10) and Musical Theatre (see p.33–34)—PG Dip

Research degrees in Composition or Performance Practice—MPhil and PhD

All the postgraduate programmes are designed to equip students for the competitiveness of the music profession, and to allow them to exert their creative leadership to the full. Applicants can
receive a full programme specification for each programme on request.

Which Programme is right for you?

The Academy’s postgraduate programmes offer a flexible and co-ordinated scheme of awards, from Diploma through to Doctorate. Candidates interested in any of these programmes should apply to the Registry. In addition to attending audition, all MMus candidates are required to send in samples of their written work. MMus Concert Project candidates should also submit a concert proposal and MMus composers must also send in a portfolio of sample compositions. Research degree students have to submit a fully developed research proposal before being selected for interview. Once admitted to the Academy, all postgraduate students receive regular tutorial advice to help with their educational and career decisions. There is provision for postgraduate performers to transfer from PG Diploma to MMus after one year for one further year of study, provided the necessary criteria have been met.

Programme Duration

Some postgraduate programmes follow a standard length of study, like the nine-month Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre and the MMus in Composition, which usually lasts two calendar years (24 months). The Diploma and MMus in Performance are more flexible. Students can complete these programmes in either one or two years (the one-year programmes attracting fewer credits), according to the student’s standard on entry, educational needs, and funding position. The Conducting programme usually lasts three years.

LRAM teaching diploma

The Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) teaching diploma provides a comprehensive, practically based introduction to the principles of teaching and is available to all students.
LRAM registration costs around £100.

‘Public teaching events which, for those free to attend them, can offer more pleasure and enlightenment than many formal concerts’
Musicalpointers.co.uk, October 2005