MA MUSICAL DIRECTION

Validated by University of East Anglia

MA 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. At the end of the year there will be a showing of your work with an invited audience.

Course Content

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

2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term TBC
Spring term TBC
Summer term TBC

Musical Leadership & Keyboard Skills
  • Keyboard studies (Advanced piano technique, Advanced keyboard skills – score reading/transposition)
  • Conducting from the baton and the keyboard

Techhnical Skills
  • Music technology
  • Vocal arranging & orchestration

Preparing for Musical Direction
  • Assisting the Musical Director
  • Musical direction

Supportive practices and disciplines
  • Supporting the performer (singing technique, coaching a singer, accompanying)
  • Reflective journal

Creative Project
  • Presentation of performed research with Q&A
  • Written paper on research

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

2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term TBC
Spring term TBC
Summer term TBC

Musical Leadership & Keyboard Skills
  • Keyboard studies (Advanced piano technique, Advanced keyboard skills – score reading/transposition)
  • Conducting from the baton and the keyboard

Technical Skills

  • Music technology
  • Vocal arranging & orchestration

Preparing for Musical Direction

  • Assisting the Musical Director
  • Musical direction

Supportive Practices and Disciplines
  • Supporting the performer (Singing technique, coaching a singer, accompanying)
  • Reflective journal

Creative Project
  • Presentation of performed research with Q&A
  • Written paper on research

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

2020/21 Term Dates
Autumn term TBC
Spring term TBC
Summer term TBC

Musical Leadership & Keyboard Skills

  • Keyboard studies (Advanced piano technique, Advanced keyboard skills – score reading/transposition)
  • Conducting from the baton and the keyboard

Technical Skills
  • Music technology
  • Vocal arranging & orcherstration

Preparing for Musical Direction
  • Assisting the Musical Director
  • Musical direction

Supportive Practices & Disciplines
  • Supporting the performer (Singing technique, coaching a singer, accompanying)
  • Reflective Journal

Creative Project
  • Presentation of performed research with Q&A
  • Written paper on research

Fees

  • Interview fee
  • £10
  • 2021/22 UK/EU Students Course Fee
  • £9,485
  • 2021/22 International Students Course Fee
  • £17,860
  • 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 Scholarships

My 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.

Lauren Ronan - Mountview Alumna

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 an online interview with the course leader at which they discuss their previous experience, interests and influences.

Please be aware that due to the limited amount of places available, this course may become full before 31 May 2021 and in this event applications will close early. Please apply earlier to avoid disappointment.

Auditions and Interviews
2020 Prospectus
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