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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

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)

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’

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

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

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)

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

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

Eden Lonsdale
BMus Composition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home > Music > Principal study > Chamber Music

Above: Guildhall violin professor András Keller gives a chamber music masterclass, 2016

Chamber Music

Open to all standard chamber group combinations

Chamber Music is a postgraduate specialism for students who wish to hone their listening and interpretative skills in small chamber group combinations. Groups can consist of any combination of three players or more, with weekly coaching from Principal Study staff and first preference for coaching with visiting ensembles and artists.

Chamber Music also forms a core strand of other Principal Study instrumental courses, offering almost unparalleled coaching and a wide range of performance opportunities.

Regular coaching is provided by international teaching staff and visiting chamber musicians. Though each school of study may have slightly different requirements, the core ethos is on fostering individual engagement and responsibility within a small chamber group, challenging and developing interpersonal skills and musical dialogue.

Postgraduate

Guildhall Artist Masters (MMus/MPerf) in Performance

Read more about our Masters in Performance.

The main focus of the Chamber Music specialism is the development of core chamber music skills. The pathway is designed for individuals and existing groups with considerable chamber music experience, with the aim of developing students’ skills to a professional level.

In other postgraduate specialisms, chamber music is still considered a core – but non-compulsory – skill and regular engagement is strongly encouraged. There are advanced ensemble electives you can take which provide substantial training in chamber music skills. Cross-departmental chamber work is considered as important as more traditional and school-specific combinations.

Activities and Ensembles

  • Regular coaching and lessons from core chamber music staff
  • Regular coaching opportunities from visiting artists and groups
  • Masterclasses with international visiting artists and chairs of chamber music
  • Active chamber music exchange programmes with Mozarteum, Salzburg and New England Conservatory, Boston
  • Chamber music residency opportunities at Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada
  • Chamber music prizes offering external performance opportunities

Recent Department highlights

  • Masterclasses with Takács, Endellion and Belcea Quartets
  • Masterclasses by András Keller, Ralf Golthoni, Vivien Weilerstien, Thomas Reibl, Erich Hobarth, Robert Kulek
  • Performance projects/workshops with Nicholas Daniel and Andrew Marriner
  • Public recitals involving staff/student collaborations and a summer lunchtime series of chamber and solo recitals
  • Pre-London Symphony Orchestra recitals at the Barbican
  • BBC Total Immersion projects in Milton Court Concert Hall and at the Barbican
  • Exchange performances at Mozarteum, Salzburg, and the Austrian Cultural Forum, London
  • Ground-breaking project with the ensemble Decoda, training groups in delivery of workshop skills
  • Ensemble concerts at Harmos Festival, Portugal
  • Three annual internal chamber music competitions
  • Bartok Contrasts in Carnegie Hall

Recent visiting ensembles and artists

  • Endellion Quartet - Visiting Quartet in Association
  • Takács Quartet - International Visiting Artists
  • András Keller
  • Ralf Gothoni
  • Belcea Quartet
  • Heath Quartet

Recent student and alumni successes

Ensembles from the Department have been recognised in the following competitions:

  • Selected as YCAT Artists
  • Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition
  • Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition
  • Cavatina Intercollegiate Competition
  • Hattori Foundation
  • Martin Musical Scholarship Award
  • June Emerson Launchpad Prize for Wind and Brass
  • Park Lane Group
  • Tunnell Trust
  • Chamber Studio mentorship

Find out more

Find further information on teaching staff, audition requirements, and how to apply.