BMus (Hons) Orchestral Performance
A specialist four-year conservatoire-style programme in instrumental and orchestral performance
Top 25
for teaching quality and student experience
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Top 10
for teaching quality and student experience
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Top 25
Ranked 25th in the UK for student satisfaction
National Student Survey 2021
Overview
This BMus Orchestral Performance degree is a specialist four-year conservatoire-style programme which gives you extensive individual tuition in instrumental performance, specific training in orchestral performance, excerpt preparation, opportunities to work with a range of distinguished conductors and soloists, and significant orchestral experience with performances in the UK and overseas.
You will have access to a high level of performance development and combine developing your solo performance skills in instrumental playing with a complementary set of skills as an ensemble performer. The first three years of the course include a range of module options so you can develop your contextual knowledge of music, while your fourth year is dedicated to orchestral performance.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
You will study using lecturers, seminars, practical classes and workshops. You will learn from a core team of experienced and qualified tutors alongside a wide-ranging team of more than 60 specialist instrumental and vocal teachers.
You will be assessed through a range of assignments, including:
- Essays
- Examinations
- Performances
- Practical work
- Project work
- Presentations
- Seminar discussions
Emma ButtonSofia Paakko
The Course
What you will study
You will study a selection of core and optional modules in each year. Each module is worth a number of credits is delivered differently, depending on its content and focus of study.
This list is indicative and subject to change.
Select a year
Chamber Music
More information on this module will be available soon.Orchestral Study
More information on this module will be available soon.Second study
This particular programme includes a flexible second study option, which can be chosen in order to enhance your skillset in a bespoke way.Professional Resilience
More information on this module will be available soon.The Baroque
You will explore a broad range of musical genres, ideas, styles and constructional devices from the birth of opera in 1600, through the rapid development of concerti grossi, the mass and the oraotorio, to the seminal theoretical and compositional writings of Jean-Phillippe Rameau.Performance Anxiety
Examine the problem of performance anxiety and stage nerves and study the theoretical background and how to effectively deal with anxiety. You will look at the performance itself and the surrounding physiological and psychological factors that lead to stage nerves during performance. This module introduces a wide range of theories from relevant disciplines including cognitive behavioural therapy and neuro-linguistic programming.Classicism
More information on this module will be available soon.Self-Employment, Marketing and Promotion
This module explores the local and national marketplace and introduces you to a number of different models of successful positioning within the industry. For a successful career as a film or music professional you will need a strong understanding of the nature of self-employment in business. This module will develop your understanding and encourage you to confidently approach the world beyond university. You will complete a tailored financial and business plan which will encourage an awareness of local markets and circumstances.Music and Society
More information on this module will be available soon.Ensemble
You will produce a professional standard performance, demonstrating confidence within your chosen repertoire(s) and technical and expressive maturity. You will need an appropriate balance in programming and the ability to lean towards either a supporting or leadership role and develop your skills in hosting events and presenting the work to others.Professional Resilience
More information on this module will be available soon.Romanticism
This module will develop your confident and probing analytical style with a close exploration of compositional intention, particularly where this is allied to programmatic or narrative elements in the models you study.Expressing Music Through Movement & Gesture
You will explore the opportunities for enhanced communication within the formal performance context and use your own physical projection of self and personal narrative of intention.Introduction to Fundraising in the Arts
The module will consider the third-sector in relation to the other two sectors, the legal structures for non-profit organisations and regional variations in regulation, alongside the charity model in at least one other country.Opera
More information on this module will be available soon.Musical Event
You will focus on one or more major performance projects which will involve opportunities to work creatively with a variety of ensembles and collaborations, including those which cross arts disciplines. Connections will be made with current projects in other institutions and at performance venues outside the university.Year Four
During your fourth year you will continue your studies with:
- Second Study
- Chamber Music
- Orchestral Audition
Facilities
Use industry standard spaces and equipment
Chapel
Perform in our on-site Chapel, an acoustically superb performance venue which is a fantastic venue for performances and rehearsals.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Student Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Lecturers
Learn from experienced performers, musicians and tutors
You will be taught by a core team of experienced and highly qualified tutors alongside a wide-ranging team of more than 60 specialist instrumental and vocal teachers.
As well as supporting student development and the student experience our staff are active, practicing professional musicians and researchers who regularly perform and record. We have around 140 professional tutors who visit campus regularly throughout the semester to deliver our practical and contextual modules. You will be supported by your one-to-one tutor and your module tutors, as well as your Academic Advisor.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
This BMus Orchestral Performance degree will prepare you for a range of careers after you graduate. You will leave university with a significant subject knowledge, practical experience and a range of transferable skills.
Further Study
You could choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Study options at the University of Chichester include:
- MA Music Performance
- MA Music Teaching
- PGCE
- PhD/MPhil
University of Chichester alumni receive a discount on postgraduate fees.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2022/23
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
Scholarships may be available for selected instruments; please enquire with the Head of Music.
Entry Requirements
Typical offers (individual offers may vary):
UCAS
A Levels
BTEC
IB
IELTS
Auditions
You will need to demonstrate your ability in dance, acting and singing during your performance audition. If you have a high level of performance skills you may be considered for a lower academic offer.
Interviews and Auditions
Auditions and interviews usually run from December until March.
We aim to offer you a genuine dialogue during your application process. This gives you a sense of worth and achievement from the audition process itself; a sense of ownership for you during the process and, ultimately, is an opportunity for us to get a clear understanding of who you are, what you need, and how we can best prepare you for your degree.
We judge you on your skills, your potential, and your personality, not your background.
If you are invited to audition you will receive an email asking you to book your audition date on ChiView. If you are unsuccessful we will email you to let you know.
You can usually choose between two or three different days on ChiView at one time. Once these dates are close ChiView will refresh to show new options. If none of the current dates suit you then you should wait until the dates renew and check again. Dates are released two to three weeks in advance.
Once you have booked your audition you will have access to the relevant documents on ChiView.
Log in to the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to view, download, or print documents telling you how to prepare for your audition and what to expect on the day.
If your situation changes and you can no longer attend your interview date you should cancel your booking in ChiView by visiting your ‘Event Schedule’ and clicking ‘Cancel Attendance’. You also need to inform the admissions team by emailing admissions@chi.ac.uk so we can send you a new audition invitation.
Sometimes if you are viewing your ChiView portal on a phone you will not be able to see the page correctly. If this happens you should try again on another device.
You may need to clear your browser history.
If you are still unable to see the ‘View details’ button, please check that you have successfully booked your audition by clicking ‘respond to interview invitation’.
If all else fails please email admissions@chi.ac.uk with your query and applicant number.
You will need to prepare a three minute piece, in any style, but if you’d like to perform something slightly longer or to perform on more than one instrument, or on an instrument and as a singer, just let us know on the day. Composers can opt to bring a recording of some of their work, with a score if there is one, and play this instead if they prefer.
You can park on-site if you buy a pay-and-display ticket but please note that the demand for car park spaces exceeds the spaces available, particularly during term time. For this reason, there are specific parking controls and restrictions to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the University, equity of access and fairness.
There are clearly marked disabled parking bays available at both campuses.
After your audition the panel will discuss your application and pass our decision onto the admissions team who will update UCAS.
- We make bespoke offers: Your offer is specifically for you. If we offer less than your predicted grades, this will reflect the potential and quality of your audition and we’d like to take a bit of pressure off of you heading into your exams.
- We don’t do unconditional offers: Unless you already have your grades (you are a mature student), we will always insist on certain grade achievements because we want you to succeed in all aspects of your academic life including your A levels, BTEC, etc.
- If you do not get the grades you wanted: Don’t panic. You received an offer because you were good enough for the department at audition. Ring us on the clearing hotline so we can discuss things with you.
- We may offer you a different course: We may offer you a place on a course within the department that is different to the one you applied for. If this is the case we will speak to you about this at your audition or shortly afterwards. We will explain our reasoning, which will revolve around placing you on the most appropriate course where we think you will thrive.
Charlie
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.
Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.
Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.
This course starts in September 2022.
