The Department of Music is consistently rated as one of the top research departments in the UK with an international reputation of high distinction.
We offer postgraduate research opportunities in choral studies, with world-leading expertise in historical musicology (early music to the present day), theory and analysis, performance as research, and music composition.
Research as part of the Choral Academy
Your doctoral studies as part of the Choral Academy could encompass a range of research areas, including (although not exclusively):
- historical analysis of choral traditions;
- choral pedagogy and vocal health;
- contemporary choral composition;
- cultural and global perspectives in choral music;
- choral conducting and leadership techniques;
- choral music and social change;
- choral music and technology;
- choral music and education policy;
- and choral music and cognitive science.
Doctoral students at Royal Holloway will also benefit from having the opportunity to collaborate with one or more of our choirs and embed this partnership into their research and development. This includes the acclaimed Choir of Royal Holloway, deemed as one of the finest College choirs in the UK.
Recent research topics specialising in choral studies at the Department of Music include:
- Music, Power, and Place at Exiled English Convents in France and the Low Countries, 1660-1740 (Musicology) Read more.
- Music as Commentary: A portfolio of compositions, featuring collaborations with National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and Choir of Royal Holloway (Composition) Read more.
- The Printing and Publication of Sacred Music in England, 1603-1649 (Musicology) Read more.
As an alternative, or precursor, to PhD study, we also offer MPhil and MA by Research (assessed entirely on the research dissertation: max. 40,000 words) options.
Research facilities and environment
We offer a strong and highly supportive, collegiate atmosphere in which you will be offered discipline-specific research training, have opportunities to present your research at regular PGR colloquia, regular performance and workshop opportunities, and gain experience of teaching through working as an assistant to a member academic staff on delivering and assessing aspects of the BMus curriculum.
Royal Holloway has a vibrant doctoral community, where interdisciplinarity plays an important role in researcher’s work. We are keen to hear from prospective doctoral students who wish to collaborate not only with the Choral Academy, but other disciplines such as drama, theatre, dance, media, film, and literature, to name only a few possibilities for researchers at Royal Holloway.
As part of the Choral Academy, postgraduate researchers will also have the unique opportunity of being a collaborative partner within our lively choral scene at the University. Researchers will have access to research and collaborative partnerships with the three choirs based at Royal Holloway, our team of choral and vocal specialists, use of our practice, performance, and recording facilities, plus the potential for research and workshop opportunities with a host of professional development partners such as the Choir of Royal Holloway, Making Music UK, BBC Singers, and Wise Music Group (publishing).
Have questions?
If you have any questions regarding your research interests and whether the Choral Academy could benefit your ongoing work, please do not hesitate to contact nathanjames.dearden@rhul.ac.uk.
For general enquires about doctoral studies at the Department of Music and how to apply, please contact tina.k.ramnarine@rhul.ac.uk.
