Guildhall Artist in Performance: Wind, Brass and Percussion Studies

Contact: music@gsmd.ac.uk

PGDip, MMus and MPerf qualifications are all available for students in the Wind, Brass and Percussion department. In the case of PGDip and MMus courses, there are two distinct pathways available for each: Orchestral Training and Advanced Performance Studies.

One-to-one Principal Study tuition, instrumental workshops and masterclasses remain core to all the programmes and pathways. Postgraduate students are not confined to one teacher but are exposed to the full range of expertise available within the department. Group and class lessons are an important addition to the individual teaching programme.

Advanced Instrumental Studies (AIS)

Increasingly a number of postgraduate students come to the School having already pursued some professional orchestral playing, or with a particular interest in another area of performing such as contemporary music, a percussion ensemble or developing repertoire for an unusual duo. For those not wishing to have a major focus on orchestral playing, the advanced performance pathway provides a framework within which to work intensively on an area of interest, and to develop an individual artistic voice. The expectation is that students who take this pathway come with a high level of instrumental ability and musical understanding, have a broad understanding of repertoire for their instrument, and are able to develop some areas of particular interest. Alongside intensive one-to-one tuition, workshops and masterclasses, they are expected to be able to draw on the rich and diverse activities and teaching offered both within the department and throughout the School.

There are two assessment points in the year, and students may opt to offer a recital, concerto or chamber performance, or lecture recital at each of these.

Audition
Candidates will be required to play the set piece plus one contrasting piece of the candidate's choice, the orchestral excerpts as prescribed and a short extract from sight. A special leaflet listing the Guildhall's orchestral excerpts will be sent to the candidates with the acknowledgement of their application.

There is an opportunity to discuss different postgraduate pathways at the audition.

To see a list of set works and orchestral excerpts click here (PDF, 16Kb)

Orchestral Studies for Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion

A new Centre for Orchestra at the Guildhall Schoolwas launched in 2009. This unique collaboration between the Guildhall School, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Barbican Centre provides a pioneering programme of orchestral training unrivalled in the world. With mentoring from LSO Principal players and concerts showcased in the Barbican's internationally acclaimed concert hall this extraordinary combination provides all the support and training required for the highest level of orchestral career. Click here for further information.

Alongside Centre for Orchestra the School will continue to run its regular orchestral programme. The orchestral studies programme has an international reputation. It is designed for candidates of exceptional ability, who have a good chance of entering the profession as orchestral players. You will have the opportunity to perform with the major ensembles in the School, including the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Contemporary Music Ensemble, and to take part in intensive repertoire sessions. You will also have regular opportunities to sit in with the London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra, and to take part in the LSO/Guildhall 'side-by-side' scheme. This pioneering element to the course is sponsored by the Musicians' Benevolent Fund and involves playing in sections alongside principal members of the LSO. Concessionary tickets are also available to some LSO, BBC and Philharmonia concerts.

The best orchestral playing uses the same skills as chamber music, and most wind, brass and percussion solo careers spring from ensemble playing. This is reflected in the structure of the course, which encourages students to combine these different elements of playing in order to develop a comprehensive range of professional skills. Orchestral training may be complemented by solo, duo and chamber music coaching, contemporary music workshops and historical performance tuition to provide a broad as well as intensive education.

Assessments are based on the preparation of major orchestral works in their entirety, and at the end of the year follow the format of a professional orchestral audition. This demanding approach proves highly effective in preparing students for the profession, and accounts in large measure for the unusually high percentage of former students who now hold orchestral positions around the world and who are flourishing solo and chamber musicians.

Department of Wind, Brass and Percussion teaching staff

Chamber Music

Details of Chamber Music Studies.

Historical Performance

Details of Historical Performance Studies.