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.
Why study Music at Chichester?
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
Chamber music study is intended to develop an exploration of musical style in practical work and to encourage confidence in the approach to chamber music and other relevant ensembles styles. A more team based relationship to presenting and preparing performance will be encouraged and students will undertake this work under the direction of a specialist coach
Orchestral Experience
Recent performance practice has seen an increased interest in the historically-informed representation of music of the 18th and 19th centuries. This module is concerned with the musical styles of the 18th and 19th centuries as explored through the performance of orchestral or other set works. Through a combination of practical and analytical study, you will identify the major forms, writing styles, and characteristics of orchestral works or other set works in performance.
Orchestral Music
The module introduces various approaches to performance that can serve to assist you when communicating music to the listener. A variety of skills particular to their individual vocal or instrumental style will be explored with teachers. The construction of balanced or otherwise effective programmes is discussed and you will explore different approaches to performance.
Professional Resilience
This module will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner and will introduce students to a number of different models of successful self-development.
Second Study
The second study is intended to develop basic performance and communication skills and to introduce a more developed sense of performance context. You will develop your current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of an individual vocal or instrumental specialist teacher, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.
Chamber Music
Chamber music study is intended to develop an exploration of musical style in practical work and to encourage confidence in the approach to chamber music and other relevant ensembles styles. A more team based relationship to presenting and preparing performance will be encouraged and students will undertake this work under the direction of a specialist coach
Classicism
This module will consider the Classical style in music primarily through the work of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Special consideration will be given to problems of formal analysis and the application of the conventions of a musicology to an artistic period so much defined by the work of a very small group of outstanding composers. You will study a variety of work: solo, ensemble and orchestral, sacred and secular. You will undertake the preparation of a presentation or lecture recital relating to a movement from a late 18th century work, as chosen by the individual.
Music and Society
This modules will explore a range of topics, including: the canon; music and gender; music and mediation; music and education; music and cultural identity; and popular and elite traditions. You will be encouraged to discuss your own positioning and understanding within each of these subject areas, as well as drawing upon a variety of social and cultural theories including those held within musicology.
Orchestral Experience
Recent performance practice has seen an increased interest in the historically-informed representation of music of the 18th and 19th centuries. This module is concerned with the musical styles of the 18th and 19th centuries as explored through the performance of orchestral or other set works. Through a combination of practical and analytical study, you will identify the major forms, writing styles, and characteristics of orchestral works or other set works in performance.
Orchestral Study
This module allows you to risk more ambitious personal development in performance with an orchestral context.
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.
Professional Resilience
This module will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner and will introduce students to a number of different models of successful self-development.
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.
Self-Employment, Employment and Visualising Success
This module explores the local and national marketplace and will introduce you to a number of different models of successful positioning within it. A successful career as a music professional needs to be informed, alongside musical and communication skills, by an understanding of the nature of self employment in business. This module will seek to develop this, and to encourage a confident approach to the world beyond university, enabling a tailored financial and business planning which encourages an awareness of local markets and circumstances.
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.
Chamber Music
In this module, you will produce a professional standard in performance, demonstrating confidence within your chosen repertoire(s) and technical and expressive maturity. You finalise your progression as an individual practitioner, as you learn to find the appropriate balance in programming and the ability to lean towards either a supporting or leadership role. You will also develop your skills in hosting events and presenting the work of others.
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.
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.
Opera
This module takes a chronological approach to the study of the genre, beginning with the early Baroque and offering examples of differing musical styles up until the first half of the 20th century, with a particular focus on the late 18th to mid 19th centuries. the relationship between narrative and the musical expression of dramatic tension will be explored, and lectures will make connexions between the function of musical structure and form within individual works and the development of character and plot.
Orchestral Experience
Recent performance practice has seen an increased interest in the historically-informed representation of music of the 18th and 19th centuries. This module is concerned with the musical styles of the 18th and 19th centuries as explored through the performance of orchestral or other set works. Through a combination of practical and analytical study, you will identify the major forms, writing styles, and characteristics of orchestral works or other set works in performance.
Orchestral Study
This module allows you to risk more ambitious personal development in performance with an orchestral context.
Professional Resilience
This module will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner and will introduce students to a number of different models of successful self-development.
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.
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.
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.
Study Abroad
Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad
As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.
Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.
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 who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2023/24
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.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs 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 January until March/April.
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 multiple days on ChiView at one time. If none of the current dates suit you please contact admissions@chi.ac.uk.
Once you have booked your audition, you will be able to access the audition guidance document on ChiView – just log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the document, which will tell you how to prepare for your audition, what to expect on the day, etc.
If your situation changes and you can no longer attend your audition 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.
Once you have booked your audition, please log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the audition guidance document, which will tell you (amongst other things) what will happen at the audition itself, a basic itinerary of the whole day, parking information, etc.
In brief, there should be an introductory talk by the department, the chance to meet lecturers and other applicants, as well as your opportunity to perform for the audition panel.
After your audition, the panel will discuss your performance and pass our decision onto the admissions team, who will update UCAS and email you with the outcome, whatever it might be.
- 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. On Results Day, just 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 an alternative, relevant course within the department, rather than offer you the course you applied for. If this is the case, we will state this in your offer letter/email and update your course on UCAS. 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.
