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Explore our Music facilities with Guildhall students

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

Emma Barber
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

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

Rebekah Carpio
MMus Clarinet (Orchestral Artistry)

Rebekah Carpio
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

Zoe Palmer (writer)
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

Emiko Edwards
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

Alexander Hall
Barbican is a key partner of Guildhall, and we can often get artists who perform there to do a masterclass or project with us, and we often do performances at Barbican events.

Ieva Vaitiekunaite
BMus Electronic Music

Ieva Vaitiekunaite
Whether it is in sit-in rehearsals, side-by-side projects or chamber orchestra sessions, the LSO players offer invaluable guidance and provide a glimpse of the exceptional standards we aspire towards.

Rees Webster
MPerf Oboe (Orchestral Artistry)

Rees Webster
I was excited to cover a role in the UK premiere of Andrew Norman's 'A Trip to the Moon' in the Barbican, have a solo recital at LSO St Luke's and also to sing on the stage of Wigmore Hall.

Mirjam Mesak
MPerf Vocal Studies

Mirjam Mesak
I knew about the fantastic tutoring and resources, but the friendly and stimulating environment clinched it for me.

Eden Lonsdale
BMus Composition

Eden Lonsdale
I had the opportunity to play percussion with the Guildhall Studio Orchestra which gave me the chance to learn from, and play alongside, amazing senior players, as well as to perform with the incredible Liane Carroll.

Dave Adsett
BMus Jazz Drums

Dave Adsett
Guildhall is an institution that knows it has to be connected to the outside world - that's the key thing. It's not a bubble. It has roots in the city and in the world.

Jonathan Ferrucci
Artist Diploma Piano

Jonathan Ferrucci
One minute you could be playing in the Guildhall Studio Orchestra with jazz musicians, the next you could be playing in the opera pit, then the next minute you'll b e with actors doing the musical and then playing a symphony in the orchestra.

Millie Ashton
BMus Violin

Millie Ashton
The departmental philosophy of returning opera back to something that is essentially produced as part of a company is a really great thing.

Klara Kofen (writer)
MA Opera Making and Writing

Klara Kofen (writer)
The quality of teaching is amazingly high. With the guidance and help that I've been given, I feel my work has got dramatically better over a short space of time.

Lucy Armstrong (composer)
MA Opera Making and Writing

Lucy Armstrong (composer)
I set up a piano trio when I arrived, and we have weekly coaching with members of the Endellion Quartet and the faculty. It has been very rewarding.

Leo Popplewell
MMus Cello

Leo Popplewell
It seemed like this was a place to go and experience a complete world of art and performance and see what happened - a place that really encouraged you to make things that you want to make.

Vittorio Angelone
BMus Percussion

Vittorio Angelone
Home > Music > Courses > Postgraduate > Guildhall Artist Programme > Performance
Masters in Performance

Guildhall Artist Masters in Performance

MMus/MPerf in Performance

Also Graduate Certificate (except Opera)

Strings | Wind | Brass | Percussion | Keyboard | Vocal Studies | Opera Studies* | Repetiteur | Piano Accompaniment | Chamber Music | Jazz | Historical Performance Practice | Orchestral Artistry

 

Introduction to the programme

  • Part One (MMus):
    One year full-time/two years part-time
  • Part Two (MPerf):
    One year full-time
    NB. Progression to Part Two is conditional on results from Part One
  • *Opera Studies is full-time only, and Part One takes two academic years.

About the programme

Studying for a Guildhall Artist Masters in Performance prepares you for entry to the profession at the highest level. This programme is about developing as an individual, insightful musician and practitioner; about challenging yourself and taking risks within your field of expertise. It gives you the technical facility and musical flexibility to explore and refine your individual artistic voice. 

The School will provide you with a learning environment that enables you to recognise and nurture your strengths. As part of the Guildhall Artist Masters, there are great opportunities for professional exposure.

Our teaching staff includes world-class performers and innovative practitioners. Your final recitals will be assessed by leading experts. You will learn from internationally renowned conductors and artists and you will perform in some of the country’s finest venues.

Many specialisms within this programme work closely with our partner organisations, particularly the Orchestral Artistry specialism delivered in association with the London Symphony Orchestra. As part of this development process, you will receive feedback from a variety of sources. To ensure you gain self-reliance and the confidence to further your career, we prioritise individual study alongside enhancing your ability to independently evaluating of your own musical identity and growth, and guiding your gradual, independent engagement with the outside musical scene.

See our Principal Study pages for further information on instrument-specific tuition and performance opportunities.

Professional specialisms

Within the Performance pathway, students study one of our professional specialisms according to instrument and area of interest:

Advanced Instrumental Studies

Strings, Wind, Brass, Percussion, Keyboard
Intensive study for soloists and ensemble players. 

Chamber Music

Strings, Wind, Brass, Percussion, Keyboard
For individuals and pre-existing groups who wish to hone their skills in chamber music. 

Historical Performance

Inhabit the music of the past; perform for the audiences of today.

Jazz

Jazz Intensive specialism for instrumentalists and singers. 

Opera Studies

Award-winning specialism offering advanced operatic training.

Orchestral Artistry in association with the LSO

Strings, Wind, Brass, Percussion
Ground-breaking specialism placing students seeking a career in orchestral playing alongside LSO players and international artists.

Piano Accompaniment

Intensive study in collaborative pianism.

Repetiteur

Specific repetiteur study for pianists within the Opera Department.

Vocal Studies

Advanced study for singers who can specialise in areas of particular interest.

Further information on our professional specialisms can be found in the Principal Study pages.

Part One (MMus)

Part One concentrates on your intense learning in Principal Study. The curriculum includes a core module (Reflective Practice) where you discuss and closely monitor your own aims, development, and professional resources. Part 1 also includes a number of elective choices, some led by Principal Study departments, while others are more academic or practical/ professional.

Reflective Practice

This core module supports Masters students in making the transition from student to professional, providing resources and the space for students to develop goals and strategies as they progress through the programme. It encourages reflective thinking, helping students become independent and creative musicians. The module includes:

  • Lectures exploring topics such as: musical identities and contemporary professional pathways; effective strategies for coping with intensive demands on mind and body in performance; tools and processes of reflective practice; contemporary research interests of performers, composers and leaders
  • Workshops introducing the musician as producer
  • Discussion groups to complement these activities and offer the students peer support

Electives

Students choose two or three electives. See the full list of electives.

Progressing to Part Two is conditional on successfully completing Part One and on meeting progression requirements in Principal Study.

Part Two (MPerf)

If you progress to Part Two, as well as continuing Principal Study-based activities from the first year which focus on further development of technical and artistic abilities, you will be given more autonomy in arranging part of your own assessed projects. Breadth of repertoire, individual creative output and professional experience are also key features of Part Two. In addition to Principal Study work, you will write a critique of your personal development as the culmination of reflective work in Part One. 

Extended Guildhall Artist programme

Applicants may be offered a place on the Extended Guildhall Artist Programme if their Principal Study is not yet at Masters entry level. This extended programme comprises an initial year almost entirely focused on the development of Principal Study. At the end of the year, students can progress to Part 1 if they achieve the minimum necessary requirements. Students who don’t progress to the full programme are awarded a Graduate Certificate. 

Find out more

Further information on audition requirements, open days, fees and funding, and how to apply.

Read more on Guildhall Artist Masters pathways: Orchestral Artistry, Composition, and range of electives.