2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term 14 September – 18 December 2020
Spring term 4 January – 1 April 2021
Summer term 12 April – 25 June 2021
NB There is no teaching on the Easter Weekend (2-5 April) or May Bank Holidays
MA/PG Dip MUSICAL DIRECTION
Validated by University of East Anglia
MA/PG Dip MUSICAL DIRECTION
Validated by University of East Anglia
One year (full-time)
This is intensive professional training for highly skilled musicians embarking on a career as a musical director.
Mountview is one of the UK’s leading musical theatre trainers and the ideal springboard for a career in musical direction. The course is suited to advanced pianists, accompanists and conductors who have proven experience working with singers, actors and instrumentalists. There is a maximum of six places available each year.
The course takes place five days per week over 42 weeks split into three terms. (Exact dates will depend on practical show assignments)
Course components are individually timetabled for each student. Across the year you will have tutorials with leading practitioners and industry specialists, assist professional musical directors on in-house and public productions and lead musically on selected performances. Assessment is based on work throughout the course. You will prepare for an MA project through a series of seminars and tutorials. If you solely want to develop practical skills and make industry contacts you may opt to take a PG Diploma.
This course will run subject to re-approval by the University of East Anglia (UEA). This means the course is currently going through UEA’s process to confirm the course will lead to a UEA award. Course re-approval will take place in June 2020 and is expected to be confirmed by August 2020. All courses validated by UEA are revalidated every five years through this re-approval process.
Course Content
Technical Skills & Practice
- Keyboard technique
- Accompaniment
- Keyboard programming
- Conducting
- Arranging and orchestration
Professional Practice
- Musical directing
- Reflective journal
- Industry lessons & masterclasses
Context & Preparation for Practice
- Repertoire for singers
- Acting through song
- Coaching singers
- Voice & singing
Creative Project
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials & independent learning
- Project map & presentation of creative project
Assisting & Apprenticeship
- Assisting the musical director
- Assisting the performer
2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term 14 September – 18 December 2020
Spring term 4 January – 1 April 2021
Summer term 12 April – 25 June 2021
NB There is no teaching on the Easter Weekend (2-5 April) or May Bank Holidays
Technical Skills & Practice
- Keyboard technique
- Accompaniment
- Keyboard programming
- Conducting
- Arranging and orchestration
Professional Practice
- Musical directing
- Reflective journal
- Industry lessons & masterclasses
Context & Preparation for Practice
- Repertoire for singers
- Acting through song
- Coaching singers
- Voice & singing
Creative Project
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials & independent learning
- Project map & presentation of creative project
Assisting & Apprenticeship
- Assisting the musical director
- Assisting the performer
2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term 14 September – 18 December 2020
Spring term 4 January – 1 April 2021
Summer term 12 April – 25 June 2021
NB There is no teaching on the Easter Weekend (2-5 April) or May Bank Holidays
Technical Skills & Practice
- Keyboard technique
- Accompaniment
- Keyboard programming
- Conducting
- Arranging and orchestration
Professional Practice
- Musical directing
- Reflective journal
- Industry lessons & masterclasses
Context & Preparation for Practice
- Repertoire for singers
- Acting through song
- Coaching singers
- Voice & singing
Creative Project
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials & independent learning
- Project map & presentation of creative project
Assisting & Apprenticeship
- Assisting the musical director
- Assisting the performer
Fees
- Application Fee
- Free
- 2020/21 UK/EU Students Course Fee
- £9,300
- 2020/21 UK/EU Students (PG Diploma only)
- £-
- 2020/21 International Students Course Fee
- £17,510
- Additional Costs (e.g. cultural trips)
- £100
Fees are subject to annual review. One term’s notice will be given of any increases.
Mountview works with all students to discuss funding options.
Funding and ScholarshipsMy time at Mountview has been demanding, exciting, bundles of fun and most importantly extremely rewarding. Every day brought a new challenge, a new person to meet and a new experience.
Entry requirements
Admission onto the course is by interview. Candidates are required to have a very high standard of piano playing. Applicants must be aged 21 years or over at the start of the course. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree will need to undertake an access assignment to establish suitability for undertaking the MA.
If an applicant’s first language is not English, and they have not been taught in English or studied to A Level standard in the UK, they will need to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of competence through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Band 6.5).
Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.
Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.
Interview information
Candidates are invited to Mountview for an interview with the Head of Programme at which they discuss their previous experience, interests and influences. There is no application fee. Please be aware that due to the limited amount of places available, this course may become full before June 1st 2020 and in this event applications will close early. Please apply earlier to avoid disappointment.
Auditions and Interviews
2020 Prospectus