MA Choral Conducting
Course Overview
Two Year Programme
This exciting two year course offers unparalleled training for
specialist choral conductors. With teaching input from a selection
of the leaders in this field including Adrian Partington and Simon
Halsey, specialist training will be given in technique, repertoire,
vocal skills, rehearsal technique and approaches to working with
different types and levels of choir. Practical work will include
the College Chamber Choir and a series of internships locally and
further afield, with other choral groups from large chorus to
school level.
The College has strong links with the National Chorus of Wales,
the chorus of the Welsh National Opera and the City of Birmingham
Symphony Chorus. You will also receive encouragement and support to
develop your skills by directing ensembles outside the College.
Your vocational placement in the first or second term will be
with a symphony chorus or equivalent.
The Performing Musician element of the MA programme includes a
range of specialist seminars, classes and tutorials providing you
with the analytical tools to understand the fundamental structure
of a musical text and how this affects your performance of the
work, with particular reference to harmony in context. You will
select a choral work for detailed analytical study and present the
results of your research either through an illustrated lecture or
an essay. As part of this module, you will also undertake a second
mentored placement with a youth choral group (school, community or
other), devising and directing a project with an innovative
performance outcome.
Cardiff is a superb centre for choral work and students will
graduate with professional skills applicable in a wide range of
choral contexts.
This innovative programme focuses on preparing experienced
musicians for the exciting career opportunities that are now
emerging in this field.