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Explore our Music facilities with Guildhall students

The School’s reputation of providing world-class tuition and support for every student has proved to be true – I have been supported every step of the way.

Ben Gernon
Conducting Fellow

Guildhall has a unique buzz and vibe to it…a great sense of community and friendliness

Rebecca Carson
BMus Flute

Being right next to the Barbican Hall and Milton Court is a great environment to be in, being able to regularly perform there gives us great perspectives

Ricky Gore
MMus Violin (Orchestral Artistry)

The tutors showed me how my wider interests are strengths to build on - I now more than ever feel like I've found an artistic purpose

Elena Gramatikovska
MMus Leadership

Guildhall has prepared me for a career in music therapy from searching for jobs to having brilliant work experience from the placements they chose for me

Emma Barber
MA Music Therapy

Guildhall had a crucial role in my success. The very high quality orchestral projects and masterclasses prepared me for professional life

Joao Seara
BMus Double Bass

Studying at the Guildhall School has been a life-changing and unforgettable adventure

Rebekah Carpio
MMus Clarinet (Orchestral Artistry)

I have met some of the most inspiring people, from colleagues to teachers and visiting professors

Lorena Paz Nieto
BMus Vocal Studies

The strong collaboration between departments has created a very special and supportive atmosphere

Meili Li
MMus Opera Studies

The teaching staff encourage the diversity that Guildhall is known for…there is something for everyone, regardless of style and influence

Oliver Leith
MMus Composition

Such incredible musicians and inspiring teachers and the opportunity to hear from world-class visiting artists has been invaluable

Vijay Prakash
MMus Jazz Trombone

During my time here, I organised an international conference based around my subject involving delegates from 4 continents

Emily Baines
DMus, ‘Mechanical Musical Instruments as a Source for Historical Performance’

Every week I am involved in something different, whether it's a repertoire class, a sit-in on an LSO rehearsal, an oboe class, LSO outreach, or a Symphony Orchestra rehearsal.

Laura Campbell
MMus Oboe (Orchestral Artistry)

In my first year, I was given the opportunity to play with the Britten-Pears Orchestra. We performed a number of concerts and our CD, recorded at one of those concerts, went on to win the BBC Music Magazine Award for Best Opera Recording.

Andrew McCoy
BMus Tenor Trombone

Working in pairs during the MA has helped me developer a deeper understanding of how opera composers work and how to spark their imaginations with a libretto.

Zoe Palmer (writer)
MA Opera Making and Writing

The relationship between the Barbican, BBC, and Guildhall is absolutely invaluable as it provides opportunities for students that cannot be found elsewhere.

Emiko Edwards
MPerf Piano

I feel that the people here really make the institution. I found Guildhall to be a really supportive environment that gave me room to explore, take risks, and mature as a mucisian, and as a human being.

Francesca Chiejina
MPerf Vocal Studies

Writing music for theatre has been a highlight of my time at Guildhall, as it has allowed me to explore an art form in which I have a great amount of interest and to work towards a professional finished product.

Alexander Hall
BMus Composition

Music education can be exclusive and intimidating and I felt like Guildhall was one of the only places that was willing to just listen to the music I had made instead of trying to look up my résumé.

Rena Minegishi
BMus Electronic Music

Home > Music > Courses > Postgraduate > Guildhall Artist Programme > Composition

Composition

MMus/MComp in Composition (Guildhall Artist Masters)


Introduction to the programme

  • Part One (MMus)
    one year full-time/two years part-time
  • Part Two (MComp)
    one year full-time
  • Progression to Part Two is conditional on results from Part One
  • 27 applications / 6 places*

*2015/16 data, for indicative purposes only

About the programme

Guildhall School offers some of the most stimulating and creative training for composers in the UK. Studying composition at Guildhall Artist Masters level prepares you for professional life as a composer. It allows you to explore and refine your individual artistic voice within the atmosphere of a busy, modern conservatoire, while also giving you space for self-reflection.

The programme is primarily practical and project-based, but you will also be supported by weekly analytical and theoretical seminars. All students are expected to meet a series of deadlines as the year progresses – essential preparation for a professional career.

Part One (MMus)

During the year, students produce a portfolio of compositions supported by a written commentary on the year’s work. These core projects include extensive workshopping opportunities and performances.

While compositional activity will take up most of your study time, you can also take classes in electronic music and writing for film and television. You can pursue these areas further within the elective programme, which also offers elective modules in areas including performance, jazz and improvisation, aesthetics and analytical or historical research.

The programme is built around a central strand of weekly seminars, in which both staff and visiting composers lead discussion and score analysis of recent contemporary music. An eclectic mix of composers, musicologists, performers and music administrators cover a range of practical and theoretical topics.

Recent visiting composers include John Adams, Steve Reich, Louis Andriessen, Michael Finnissy, Rozalie Hirs, Michel van der Aa, Claudia Molitor, James MacMillan, Howard Skempton, Jennifer Walshe and Alwynne Pritchard. Prominent publishers, copyists and administrators also offer practical insights into the music business.

Creative and collaborative opportunities

In addition to coursework, we encourage students to take advantage of the many creative and collaborative opportunities Guildhall School has to offer. These might include working on one of the Drama Department’s many productions, collaborating with the jazz students or developing new work with postgraduate performers and singers.The School’s New Music Society, New Music Ensemble and annual projects with the vocal ensemble EXAUDI, new music specialists PlusMinus and City Chamber Choir all provide excellent platforms for public performance.

The Department has enjoyed strong links with the London Symphony Orchestra’s Panufnik Young Composers Scheme, LSO SoundHub, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Composer programme, which have all featured Guildhall composers. See the Composition Principal Study pages for further information on departmental opportunities.

Part Two (MComp)

Exceptional students on Part One will be given the opportunity to continue their studies into Part Two. During the year, you will independently undertake a portfolio of three substantial compositional projects alongside your one-to-one tuition, strengthening your artistic and professional development.

Extended Guildhall Artist programme

Students who are enrolled on the Extended Guildhall Artist programme will need to pass an introductory year before progressing to Part One. See the Guildhall Artist Masters page for further details.

Find out more

Visit our Music pages for further information on teaching staff, audition requirements, open days and how to apply.

Postgraduate Funding Support

Find out more about government financial support that is available for this programme.