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Course overview
This professionally focused, 12-month practice-based master’s degree in music performance aims to help students develop specialist skills as a performer, musical director, composer and arranger to an industry-leading standard through the creation of a significant body of original work demonstrating a distinctive artistic personality.
Over the course of the year on this music performance degree, students will refine their instrumental skills, lead ensembles and create new compositions and arrangements through a range of individual lessons and group workshops and lectures.
Additionally, students will devise and test strategies to launch, market and continuously develop their professional personas and then undertake a major body of creative and professional work over the summer as part of the Mmus, which could culminate in the performance of a new body of work or the completion of an industry placement.
Overall, the programme aims to:
- refine your specialist performance skills and creative practice;
- enable instrumentalists to develop a significant body of original creative work;
- develop a distinctive artistic personality or voice;
- prepare to lead and continuously develop in professional performance-based industry settings.
Job outcomes
- Professional session musician
- Arranger
- Musical director
- Band member
- Songwriter
- Film scoring
- Executive, manager, administrator, officer in the music or wider entertainment industry
- Executive, manager, administrator, officer in any business
- Music industry entrepreneur
- Instrumental music teacher
- Project manager
What you'll learn
Our MMus in Music Performance is rooted in the deep practice of contemporary performance, musicianship and professional ability and provides a specialised practice-based programme for aspirational career musicians within contemporary music.
Programme modules will cover the following content:
- Principal Instrument: Instrumental Technique, Phrasing, Tone, Time, Rhythm, Accompaniment, Transcription, Improvisation, Repertoire, Composition.
- Arranging: Advanced Arranging, Score Writing and Instrumentation Concepts, Conducting and Directing Techniques, Score Reduction and Management Techniques.
- Ensemble Workshop: Re-Interpreting and Performing Music Authentically in Commercial Style, Working With Artists and Directing Ensembles, Reading Lead Sheets, Improvising in a Range of Musical Styles.
- Composition For Film & Other Media: Analysis & technique, Composition, Orchestration, Case Studies, Live Recordings, Mixing for Film.
- Digital Distribution & Marketing: Musician and Artist Branding, Audience Identification, Content Planning, Social Media Optimisation, Digital Distribution, Utilising Meaningful Metrics.
- Major Project: Reflective and Academic Writing, Project Management, Research Methodologies, Ethical Implications and Impacts, Partners and Strategy.
Recognition
Study method
- In-class
- Blended
- Online
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Duration study load
- Full-time: One year
- Part-time: Two years
Entry requirements
- Entry will also be subject to audition consisting of a portfolio review and/or live audition.
- In addition, a minimum second-class honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK awarding body or college recognised equivalent international qualification.
- Significant equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
- Plus, English language competency equivalent to CEFR Level C1 (7.0 overall, 6.5 in each category) if from a non-majority English language speaking country.
Pathways
- Pursue a PhD or other advanced degrees in music-related subject areas
Subjects
- Principal Instrument
- Arranging
- Performance Ensemble Workshop
- Songwriting
- Principal Instrument
- Digital Distribution & Marketing
- Writing & Recording Musician
- Major Project
About London College of Contemporary Music
LCCM is the highest-ranked provider of music performance and music business degrees in the UK by student satisfaction (NSS 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022) and graduate employment (80% in skilled roles, HESA 2021). Our Central London location means you literally can’t get closer to Europe’s entertainment and music industry. Our degrees are awarded by the University for the Creative Arts, the leading arts university in national league tables (2020) and awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Above all, at LCCM we value originality and innovation, not a one-size-fits-all model for mass music education. Our passion for innovation extends from our belief that every musician, vocalist or producer is uniquely themselves and can pursue a sound and style that is compelling, fresh and true.
LCCM is thrilled to have legendary music executive Dr Mathew Knowles as the Guest Visiting Lecture. At both Music World Entertainment Corporation and Sanctuary, Dr Knowles masterminded the careers of Destiny’s Child, daughters Beyoncé and Solange, and legends such as Chaka Khan, The O’Jays, Earth, Wind & Fire, amongst many others. He often cites Malcolm Gladwell and the principle that you need to dedicate 10,000 hours to become a master of your discipline. It just happens that a three-year degree - if you pursue your talent and potential on a full-time basis - adds up to 10,000 hours. Imagine spending all that time somewhere that doesn’t have all the above benefits.
Graduate opportunities and the skills demanded by employers today are radically different than in the past. Our unique approach recognises this, giving you a practical education that not only helps you master your chosen subject or instrument, but actively encourages collaboration, communication, initiative and hard work. With a reputation for nurturing creative talent, we have successfully bridged the gap between traditional universities, conservatoires and rock and pop schools, by combining the best elements of all three into a modern centre for artistic, creative and academic excellence.
