MA in Performance (Music)

Program Overview

The MA Performance (Music) program at Bath Spa University combines one-on-one instruction with ensemble collaboration to enhance performance skills. Through practical training and research-based modules, students develop their individual artistry and prepare for careers in various performance-related fields. The program culminates in a high-profile public performance and provides access to industry connections through the in-house production company, Bath Spa Productions.

Program Outline

Perform for wide audiences and take your skills to the next level. Collaborate with other Performance students as part of our in-house production company. Receive one-on-one tuition from experienced tutors. Performers learn from each other. Along with students from other MA Performance pathways, you’ll become part of our in-house Bath Spa Productions company - a company of unique talents that are individually and collectively developed. Our MA Performance (Music) course will help you to understand the wider world of the performance industry and allow you to gain key skills and knowledge in your specific discipline.

Outline:

Overview:

You’ll receive one-to-one instrumental or vocal tuition from experienced tutors alongside your solo work, where you’ll develop your research, collaborative, ensemble, and publicity skills. The course culminates with a final project, where you’ll prepare a performance, normally a high-profile public recital. You’ll undertake four modules over two trimesters, giving you time to develop long term strategies for research and performance skills.

Course Structure:

Trimester One:

In the first trimester, you begin two year-long modules, which focus on core technical skills and the mutually beneficial links between research and practice. From the start of this course, the Skills module immerses you in the practical training necessary to develop your skills as a performer. You’ve laid the foundations for developing your own skills; now you turn your attention to how to apply these in collaborative projects – in teams, in companies, and with artists and other professionals. Alongside this, you’ll develop a performance company with fellow MA students and create public performances, with opportunities to work on SparkFest, the festival we run in collaboration with Bath Festivals, which takes place on campus, across the city, and online.

Trimester Three:

The third trimester involves a Major Project, for which you’ll prepare a programme for a substantial public performance. The content and structure of this project will be negotiated with course tutors.

Course Modules:

This course includes or offers the following modules.

• Professional Practice
• Skills Portfolio
• Performance Practices
• Professional Collaboration
• Major Project

Assessment:

You’ll complete individual assignments for each module, including essays, performance on your instrument or voice, reflective commentaries on your process, and lecture recitals.

Teaching:

Modules are taught through one-to-one lessons, seminars and practical workshops. These are supported by individual tutorials and online activity within the Virtual Learning Environment. The Major Project involves student-directed work, with supporting tutorials and instrumental/vocal lessons. We encourage you to make full use of library and IT resources, and time will be scheduled in studios and workstations labs for independent study, as appropriate.

Careers:

Our graduates work in a wide range of performance-related areas such as:

• Orchestral performance
• Opera
• Conducting
• Choral direction
• Chamber musician
• Accompaniment
• Session work
• Music promotion
• The record industry
• Broadcast media
• Teaching
• Community music projects
• University lecturing.
Previous visitors have included:
• Dame Emma Kirkby (voice)
• Isobel Buchanan (voice)
• Stefano Parrino (flute)
• Badke Quartet (strings)
• Florian Uhlig (piano)
• Professor Colin Lawson (clarinet)
• Andy Sheppard (saxophone)
• Ensemble Bash (percussion)
• Madeleine Mitchell (violin)
• Work placements, industry links and internships: You’ll work on real-time creative projects for the University’s in-house production company, Bath Spa Productions.
• Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career.
• Resources:
• Commons building, with its superb classroom facilities, social spaces, and specialist digital resources.
• Michael Tippett Centre, housing a purpose-built concert hall with excellent acoustics and PA.
• University Theatre.
• Newton Park Library, including a large collection of books, periodicals and CDs with extensive eBook and online journal access.
• Virtual Learning Environment, which provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.
• Free equipment loan service, which provides a huge range including field recording, film and other audio related equipment.
• Access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
• Access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.