Program Overview
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance is a post-Masters program designed for advanced performers to refine their skills through one-to-one tuition in their specialization. Through professional performance engagements, career development modules, and external projects or collaborations, this program prepares students for success in the competitive world of professional music. Upon completion, graduates may pursue a range of careers, including solo performer, orchestral musician, chamber musician, opera singer, and music educator.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance is a post-Masters level program designed for advanced postgraduate performers who already hold a Masters degree and are beginning to accept professional engagements. The program aims to help students raise their performance standards to the next level through highly specialized one-to-one tuition in the department most relevant to their specialism. Students can choose from seven specialisms: Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Collaborative Piano, Organ Performance, Chamber Music Performance, Opera Repetiteurship, or Choral Conducting. The program emphasizes practical and performance-focused learning, allowing students to take on performance engagements both within and outside Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as part of their course. Assessment focuses on students' work in professional contexts, via a Professional Performance Portfolio module and a choice of External Engagement and Professional Project modules. The program also includes a Career Management and Self-Promotion module designed to help students develop essential non-performance skills for their professional careers.
Outline:
The program is structured around three core modules:
- Professional Performance Portfolio (60 credits): This module focuses on developing students' performance skills through practical, professional engagements. Students will undertake two performance assessments in a professional context within the Conservatoire, typically in terms two and three for full-time students and one assessment in each year for part-time students. These assessments mimic real-life situations, such as giving a public recital, preparing and delivering an orchestral audition, or leading a rehearsal or coaching session in a professional setting.
- Career Management and Self-Promotion (20 credits): This module equips students with essential skills for managing their careers as self-employed musicians, including self-promotion, online presence development, marketing, and networking. Students will be required to build a portfolio of evidence of professional activity to inspire confidence in promoters.
- External Engagement or Professional Project (40 credits): Students can choose to undertake either an External Engagement module or a Professional Project module. The External Engagement module requires students to seek out and perform in an external professional context, developing their ability to work autonomously and secure professional engagements. The primary assessment methods include:
- Professional Performance Portfolio: This module is assessed through two performance assessments in a professional context within the Conservatoire.
- External Engagement: This module is assessed through a critical reflection on the process of planning, promoting, and fulfilling an external professional engagement.
- Professional Project: This module is assessed through a critical reflection on the process of planning and executing a self-defined project.
- Career Management and Self-Promotion: This module is assessed through the development of an online presence and a portfolio of evidence of professional activity.
Teaching:
The program features a combination of teaching methods, including:
- One-to-one tuition: Students receive expert one-to-one tuition in their Principal Study area, with internationally renowned tutors.
- Coaching: Chamber musicians receive both individual tuition and regular coaching for their ensemble.
- Workshops: The program includes regular workshops for the whole cohort, covering topics such as career management, self-promotion, and professional development.
- Performance classes: Students have the opportunity to organize weekly performance classes for their cohort.
- Ensembles: Students have access to the Conservatoire's full range of ensembles, departmental workshops, performance classes, and masterclasses.
Careers:
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance is designed to support and advance students' careers as professional musicians or performers. The program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to succeed in the competitive world of professional music. Potential career paths include:
- Solo performer: Students can pursue careers as solo instrumentalists, vocalists, or organists.
- Chamber musician: Students can form or join chamber music ensembles.
- Orchestral musician: Students can audition for positions in orchestras.
- Opera singer: Students can pursue careers as opera singers.
- Opera repetiteur: Students can work as opera repetiteurs, coaching singers and preparing them for performances.
- Choral conductor: Students can pursue careers as choral conductors.
- Music educator: Students can work as music educators in schools, universities, or private studios.
Other:
The program emphasizes the importance of self-motivation and initiative, encouraging students to take advantage of opportunities for professional development beyond their formal studies. The program aims to help students develop the confidence and skills to shape their own careers in the 21st century. The program also highlights the Conservatoire's strong links with professional organizations, such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Bach Choir, Ex Cathedra, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, and Orchestra of the Swan. These links provide students with opportunities for performance, networking, and professional development.
UK students:
Full Time: £12,075 in 2024/25 Part Time: Year 1 - 60 credits: £2013 Year 2 - 60 credits: £2013
International students:
Full Time: £26,195 in 2024/25
