Choral Studies MA

This is a practical performance-based MA combining extensive development of skill as a member of a dedicated choral ensemble, with a range of related skills in choir training, choral arrangement and individual vocal development. The Masters' choir will undertake at least two concert tours in each academic year, both in the UK and overseas, with basic travel costs included in the course fees. On the MA programme you will be expected to demonstrate your critical awareness of current practice in your own specialist area and in a practical choral studies MA you will be expected to do this through your skills in choral arrangement, choral direction and choral singing. This can only be done with a fluent level of technical and expressive skill which gives you the confidence and the means to show originality in applying through your work the knowledge you have developed in research and scholarship. For this reason the range of support included for the development of your choral experience is extensive, including weekly choral rehearsals, coaching in choral conducting, regular performance experience and two performance tours in the UK and overseas during the academic year.

This emphasis on performance tours, especially outside the UK, ensures that the regular support you receive from teachers who are familiar to you is complemented by invaluable exposure to other professional views and experience of different choral traditions. Your regular weekly lessons will take place on campus but you will need to be willing to travel to performance venues in the UK and in Europe at least twice during the MA programme as part of your choral training. Arrangements will be made in consultation with you, staff at the University and relevant external venues and festivals.

Students study the work of leading ensembles, research relevant areas of repertoire and performance practice. The dissertation, which is the culmination of the year's practical performance experience is presented at the end of the academic year.

Indicative Course Content

This course is modular and comprises six taught modules, arranged in three strands:

Semester 1

• MAC1 Choral Direction
• MAC4 Written Exercise (Repertoire)
• MAC3 Choral Experience (Dissertation), (tour 1).

Semester 2

• MAC2 Choral Arrangement
• MAC5 Written Exercise (Performance Practice)
• MAC3 Choral Experience (Dissertation), (tour 2).

Semester 3

• MAC3 Choral Experience (Dissertation).

Assessment

To gain a Postgraduate Certificate students need to complete the Choral Arrangement and Choral Direction modules.

To gain a Postgraduate Diploma students must have completed and passed two out of the three available strands. For further details, please contact the music department.

The MA will be awarded where a candidate has successfully completed all modules, including the Dissertation (performance) double module.

Attendance

Full time (1 year, with final assessment in the first week of the following academic year).

Part time (2 years, with final assessment in the first week of the following academic year, or longer).

For further details on how to apply please visit: http://www.chi.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught-0/how-apply

Home/EU Fees for 2013 academic year

1 Year full time taught including dissertation £8400.00.

Part time - Module Fee £1548.00. Dissertation Fee £3096.00.

There is an Alumni Discount of 10% for students applying within five years of completion of an undergraduate course at Chichester.

Overseas Fees for 2013

Full time only £10775.00

There is an Alumni Discount of 10% for students applying within five years of completion of an undergraduate course at Chichester.

All sessions are held at the Bishop Otter Campus in Chichester. Modules are taught during weekdays and students must be willing to travel within the UK and overseas as part of the touring choir.

Entry Requirements

Music degree - 2:2 or
Any other degree plus a Dip ABRSM
or
Any other degree plus extensive and documented evidence of choral singing.
•All candidates must demonstrate advanced performance skills at interview.
All successful applicants will have to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau before commencement of the course.