Programme summary for MMus Popular Music Performance

The MMus in Popular Music Performance is an avenue of continued study for students who have distinguished themselves at undergraduate level, or have acquired comparable professional experience and are committed to attaining even greater mastery of their respective instrument or voice.

About the Programme

The contemporary musician must operate in a fast-changing and diverse arena. Opportunities are varied, and only flexible and entrepreneurial musicians will be able to capitalise on the contemporary environment. This programme challenges students to achieve advanced standards on their instruments and to develop their critical and analytical skills at the highest level.

It will challenge them to develop the highest levels of instrumental skill through individual lessons, and well as their leadership and musical management skills through the directing ensembles, culminating in a performance of challenging original and existing repertoire.

They will be challenged to consider and master the range of attributes that a successful studio-based performance must contain.

They may select from options that include an investigation of a performance tradition, issues of music in health and wellbeing, and cultural/philosophical aspects of music.

Students will also produce a significant body of work for recital and will produce supporting research that underpins and informs their final project.

Further Information

For further information on this programme and the Institute, please visit www.icmp.co.uk

Programme Structure

All students will do Advanced Instrumental Studies (30 credits), Advanced Ensemble Studies (30 credits), Studio Performance (30 credits) and Performance Research Project (60 credits).

Students also select one option from Cultural and Philosophical Studies (30 credits), Music and Wellbeing (30 credits) and Investigating Performance Traditions (30 credits).

Full-time students will typically attend for up to two days per week, and part-time students for one day.

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates would be expected to have portfolio careers in music, for instance as band leaders, uniquely creative performing musicians, private teachers, highly able collaborative artists, and perhaps as PhD or DMA candidates in the UK or internationally.

Support

Students are fully supported throughout their course by professional and experienced educators and support staff from both the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and the University of East London. Institute staff provide day-to-day advice on a wide range of practical matters, including accommodation, learning resources, library access, career development and general wellbeing.

A wide variety of professional musicians are involved in the delivery of the programme. Students learn from an experienced and committed faculty of leading educators and top professional musicians who have developed performance-led curriculum in line with the demands of today’s ever-changing music industry. This ensures that students are able to interact and network with professional musicians and experienced industry practitioners throughout the programme. Importantly, there are a wide variety of musical activities in which to engage, including showcase events and public performance opportunities, and opportunities to work in professional settings.

Admissions

Applicants will normally have a good honours degree (upper second or first) or equivalent, or comparable professional or research experience; in case of the latter, applicants would be required to submit video, audio or other appropriate evidence of achievements (this may be discussed with Admissions personnel in cases of uncertainty in this regard).

Applications will be assessed through a two-stage process;

Phase 1: Candidates to submit one hard copy of each of:

Cover letter of application
Curriculum Vitae
Copy of undergraduate dissertation (or equivalent piece of work)
Two personal references (including one from undergraduate institution where appropriate)
500-word proposal for Masters Dissertation (which may later be revised in discussion with your Module Leader)

Phase 2: Successful candidates from Phase 1 are invited to attend in person for: