This programme is designed to empower students with an industry-leading comprehension of historically informed choral interpretation, composition for choirs, leadership in choral performance and vocal technique, stylistic ensemble singing, editing, analytical score preparation, and the broader arts sector in the UK.
Through this flexible curriculum, students will not only have the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge, understanding, and skills but will also develop academic, critical, musical, and research expertise. This multifaceted approach aims to provide a robust foundation to support students in their pursuits of conducting, composing, ensemble singing, and musicological studies.
Moreover, the programme seeks to foster a profound understanding of the intricate interplay between cultural policy, public institutions, and enterprise within the arts through professional development associations with Making Music UK, BBC Singers, and Wise Music Group (publishing). By delving into these intersections, students will gain insights that go beyond the artistic aspects, allowing them to navigate and contribute effectively to the broader landscape of the arts sector.
Course structure
Core modules
As part of this postgraduate taught programme at the Department of Music, prospective students have the opportunity of specialising in either composition, music performance, or musicology:
Optional Modules
There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies, so that you can build a bespoke programme drawing on your expertise and needs as a specialist in choral or vocal studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available:
- Topics in Music & Screen Media
- Ludomusicology & Video Game Music
- Digital Creative Entrepreneurship
- Documenting Performance
- Music and Management
- Techniques of Performance Studies
- Short Recital in choral/consort performance, solo vocal or organ performance, or choral direction/conducting
- Music Pedagogy
- The Collaborative Pianist & Vocal Coach
- Historical Musicology 1
- Techniques in Ethnomusicology
Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.
This degree is also available via the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) mode of study where students with ongoing professional careers take modules over a four or five-year period.
Creative environment and facilities
As part of the Choral Academy, postgraduate students will have the unique opportunity of being a collaborative partner within our lively choral scene and broader arts community at the University.
Students will have access to research and collaborative partnerships with the three choirs based at Royal Holloway, our team of choral and vocal specialists, practice, performance, and recording facilities, plus a host of professional development partners such as Making Music UK, BBC Singers, and Wise Music Group (publishing). You will also benefit from an active student community with an array of student-led music groups, a Music Society, and the weekly International Concert Series, where you can hear some of the world’s leading musical artists perform on campus.
Students also have regular opportunities to present their ongoing work – be that performance or literature – through fora, festivals, and concerts at Royal Holloway, such as in our annual New Sounds Festival, our Picture Gallery Composer-in-Residence scheme, and the student-curated PLAY! Festival each summer.
What could the course look like?
As a student enrolled onto our postgraduate taught programme, and specialising in choral studies, here are a few examples of how your selected modules may look:
Student conductor, Ka Lok, rehearsing members of the Choir of Royal Holloway
