MMus Orchestral Conducting

With our specialist master’s programme, you’ll learn how to fulfil the role of conductor with creativity, style and authority.

Our course is flexible, allowing you to tailor your study to suit your musical interests and career ambitions. You’ll be guided by professional musicians, who will work with you to develop your strengths and drive you to become the most accomplished artist you can be.

Alongside your training, you’ll gain all the professional skills you need to pursue a career in the ever-changing arts industry.

Outside of class, you can take part in conducting and directing opportunities – from College ensembles, rehearsals and productions to self-promoted student performances.

Key to this programme are the collaborative relationships we have with the arts industry – such as the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and Welsh National Opera – giving you a chance to network and gain unrivalled insight into the inner workings of the business.

Our programme gives you the space to really push your artistic boundaries, build strong creative partnerships and successfully prepare yourself for the next step in your musical career.

• Your specialist training combines a mix of one-to-one and group tuition (which we call ‘principal study’). It includes a conducting technique class involving the study and practice of technique away from the orchestra.
• To support your principal study, you’ll take part in conducting classes, as well as rehearsal analysis tutorials. You’ll have workshops in score-reading, aural training and broader repertoire studies too.
• Our impressive list of tutors includes renowned instrumental and vocal soloists and chamber musicians, distinguished coaches, prominent composers, conductors and creative artists in a range of genres – plus principal players in major orchestras and ensembles. They offer you not only first-rate teaching, but mentorship and networking opportunities as well.
• You’ll get hands-on practical experience, with a range of opportunities to direct College ensembles, orchestral rehearsals and productions, or conduct self-promoted student performances.
  
• With our programme of study, you can shape your core modules to match your skills and career goals. And with some modules, you’ll have a certain degree of flexibility in the way you’re assessed.
• You’ll also have numerous chances to work with students on your course, as well as those studying on our drama courses. It offers a creative way to enhance your skills and build relationships that can extend far beyond your university years.
• We’ve built strong ties with national arts organisations, such as the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and Welsh National Opera. They regularly invite our students to observe their conductors in action, often with opportunities to discuss the process afterwards. You can also observe visiting orchestras and choirs as part of the St David’s Hall International Concert Series.
• You’ll spend much of your second year developing professional projects, which are linked to real-world settings. Areas you can focus on include research, teaching, community music, collaborative creative practice, composition and digital artistry. To support your work, you’ll regularly meet with a specialist mentor, who will offer industry guidance and help to expand your network of industry contacts.
• Every year, internationally renowned artists visit the College as part of our performance programme. You can take part in their student masterclasses where you’ll get insight and advice in taking your artistic abilities to an advanced level.
• To build your expertise, you can also develop a working relationship with a non-orchestral College ensemble (like wind orchestra, brass band or chamber choir). You can assist the regular conductor and deputise to rehearse selected repertoire by under-represented voices.
• You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own programme of essential repertoire in discussion with the conductor-in-residence, allowing you to diversify your interests or consolidate your specialisms.
• Through our regular employability seminars, you’ll learn how to establish yourself as an independent artist and build a successful portfolio career. We’ll cover topics such as networking, social media, tax and finance and funding applications.