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Explore our Music facilities with Guildhall students

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

Rebecca Carson
BMus Flute

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

Meili Li
MMus Opera Studies

Meili Li
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

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

Vijay Prakash
MMus Jazz Trombone

Vijay Prakash
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’

Emily Baines
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

Andrew McCoy
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
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

Francesca Chiejina
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 > Undergraduate > Bachelor of Music honours degree

Bachelor of Music Honours degree

Strings | Wind | Brass | Percussion | Keyboard | Vocal Studies | Composition | Electronic Music | Jazz | Early Instruments


Introduction to the programme

  • Four years full-time
  • 636 applications / 104 places*

*2015/16 data for indicative purposes only

Useful links
Contact: 

UG@gsmd.ac.uk

About the BMus programme

The BMus programme is centred around world-leading one-to-one tuition for performers, composers and electronic musicians. Its principal aim is to develop your ability as a practical musician.

At least two-thirds of the programme is focused on students’ Principal Study areas promoting personal and artistic development by providing at least 30 individual lessons a year with our renowned professorial staff. The programme also offers over 100 hours of additional lessons, including practical classes, chamber coaching, workshops and projects with high-profile conductors and artists, and opportunities to perform in some of the country’s finest venues.

From the start of the programme, you will be treated like a professional musician. Our students are given all the support and encouragement they need to prepare for life in the industry. They also get the chance to establish contacts and gain exposure via our partnerships with organisations such as the Barbican, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Academy of Ancient Music.

As you learn to work effectively and creatively with others, you will also be given plenty of time for individual study and reflection.

See our Principal Study pages for further information on instrument-specific tuition and performance opportunities. A Joint Principal Study pathway is available if you want to combine two areas of Principal Study.

The BMus course structure

Years 1 and 2

In addition to Principal Study, students follow also Academic Studies and Creative Learning courses. These will give you the essential building blocks you need as a musician in a way that integrates rigorous musicianship skills (Ear Training and Musical Materials), broad critical and analytical tools (Creative and Performing Knowledge) and, from Year 2, a selection of specialised elective courses (such as Analysis, History, Keyboard Musicianship, Electronic Music, Jazz Workshop, Collaborative Skills).

In Year 1, you will also take a module in Professional Studies, which explores broader topics such as performance psychology, health and wellbeing, as well as improvisation and communication skills, and in Year 2, you will follow a course in conducting.

Years 3 and 4

In Years 3 and 4, Principal Study continues to be the main focus, alongside the culmination of two important learning cycles (Creative and Performing Knowledge in Year 3, and Professional Studies 2 in Year 4). To complete their studies, Students also choose from a variety of electives, ranging from further specialised work in Principal Studies to Academic Studies and Creative Learning courses . (see below) to complete their studies(see below). Those who achieve high-level results in Principal Study can take Advanced Principal Study and Advanced Ensemble to pursue their performance practice to an even higher degree.

See the full programme specification, including module specifications and assessment criteria.

Short Term Programme

We also have an undergraduate-level Short Term Programme, for those on a gap year or looking for study abroad. Running from September to February each year, the programme provides six months of intensive music tuition as a Guildhall School student, focused on Principal Study tuition and musicianship skills.

Principal Study

Principal Study and performance lie at the core of the learning experience at the Guildhall School.

Principal Study is available in:

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

 

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

 

Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba

 

Recorders 

 

Guitar, Harp, Lute, Viols 

 

Singing 

 

Piano, Fortepiano, Harpsichord

 

Early Instruments

 

Composition

 

Electronic Music

 

Jazz:  Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar/Double Bass, Drums, Voice


Other instruments by negotiation.


Year 3 and 4 Elective Modules

(some available in Year 4 only):

  • Advanced ensemble
  • Advanced Principal Study
  • Adventures in neglected repertoire
  • Big band arranging
  • Body matters
  • Brass and wind arranging
  • Composition for media
  • Conducting
  • Electro-acoustic music
  • Historical Performance: performance
  • Historical Performance: principles and research
  • Interpretation through improvisation
  • Introduction to music therapy
  • Jazz performance
  • Music, philosophy and the arts
  • Opera and theatre
  • Personal research project
  • PianoWorks
  • Second study
  • Techniques in composition
  • Workshop skills