Music
Entry requirements
A level
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: To include Music A Level. ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music A Level alongside 3 other A Levels. Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking. Information: Applicants taking Science A Levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Access to HE Diploma
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects. Music is required. If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Scottish Advanced Higher
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Scottish Higher
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
The course at Durham prides itself in combining the traditional and the modern in the study of music. The learning of techniques such as harmony, counterpoint and aural skills are juxtaposed with an investigation of the most up-to-date thinking in musicology, critical theory, composition (acoustic and electroacoustic), analysis, ethnomusicology and performance. Moreover, our teaching, essentially research-led, is enhanced by distinctive staff specialisations that include nineteenth- and twentieth-century British music, music of the Soviet Union, Korean and Indian music, popular music, music technology, conducting, cognitive musicology, early music and contemporary composition.
**Year 1**
In the first year you are expected to follow the same course, designed to introduce a broad range of disciplines and approaches. The course consists of six modules:
Historical Studies 1
EITHER Performance 1: Listening and Performing Practice Through History (with Recital)
Musical Techniques (Harmony and Counterpoint)
Composition 1: Twentieth Century Innovations
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Essential topics in music technology are spread over these compulsory modules, as are foundational research skills that will be needed in the later years.
All Combined Honours students taking only one module in Music must take either Historical Studies 1 or Introduction to Ethnomusicology. If you take two or three modules in Music, you must take one of these musicological modules, and can add the other and/or one or two of the three ‘practice-based’ modules which are the prerequisites for the Year 2 modules in performance, composition, and other practical disciplines.
**Year 2**
In the second year, you will undertake one compulsory module – Historical Studies 2: The Twentieth Century – and choose five modules from a broad menu. As an alternative, you may choose to take a module in another department.
Optional modules:
Composition 2: New Directions in Art Music
Creative Music Technology
Performance 2: Practice as Research
Advanced Musical Techniques
Theory and Analysis
Orchestration
Conducting
World Music Traditions
Studies in Popular Music
Studies in the History of Opera
Music and Science
Philosophy, Music and Improvisation.
**Year 3**
The third-year of this course is structured around a compulsory double-weighted independent project, which can take the form of a musicological Dissertation, a composition portfolio, a techniques portfolio (pastiche compositions), or a 40-minute solo recital. All students are required to do one of these. In addition, you will choose four other modules, selecting from the list of third year modules (which in previous years has included the modules below) and the second year menu (above). Other possible options are to undertake a single-weighted project (again, a Dissertation, composition, techniques portfolio, or performance) and/or pursue a module in another department.
We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2022 entry from September 2021.
**Study Abroad (Music)**
As part of an extensive curriculum review we have created lots of exciting new opportunities for a year's study abroad for those on the BA (Hons) Music degree. Exchanges take place after the second year of the course with our partner institutions, which include the University of Oslo, the Sorbonne in Paris, La Sapienza in Rome, alongside many others.
For more information on this course, please see our website.
Modules
Year 1
In the first year you are expected to follow the same course, designed to introduce a broad range of disciplines and approaches.
The course consists of six modules:
Historical Studies 1
EITHERPerformance 1: Practice Through History (with Recital) OR Performance 1: Practice Through History (with Essay)
Musical Techniques (Harmony and Counterpoint)
Composition 1: Twentieth Century Innovations
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Essential topics in music technology are spread over these compulsory modules, as are foundational research skills that will be needed in the later years, such as essay writing skills.
All Combined Honours students taking only one module in Music must take either 'Historical Studies 1' or 'Introduction to Ethnomusicology'. If you take two or three modules in Music, you must take one of these musicological modules, and can add the other and/or one or two of the three ‘practice-based’ modules which are the prerequisites for the Year 2 modules in performance, composition, and other practical disciplines.
Year 2
In the second year, you will undertake one compulsory module – 'Historical Studies 2: The Twentieth Century' – and choose five modules from a broad menu. As an alternative, you may choose to take a module in another department.
Optional modules:
Composition 2: New Directions in Art Music
Creative Music Technology
Performance 2: Practice as Research
Advanced Musical Techniques
Theory and Analysis
Orchestration
Conducting
World Music Traditions
Studies in Popular Music
Studies in the History of Opera
Music and Science
Philosophy, Music and Improvisation
The Music of India.
Year 3
The third-year of this course is structured around a compulsory double-weighted independent project, which can take the form of a musicological dissertation, a composition portfolio, a techniques portfolio (pastiche compositions), or a 40-minute solo recital. All students are required to do one of these. In addition, you will choose four other modules, selecting from the list of third year modules (which in previous years has included the modules below) and the second year menu (above). Other possible options are to undertake a single-weighted project (again, a dissertation, composition, techniques portfolio, or performance) and/or pursue a module in another department.
Contemporary Music Performance
Music and Politics in France 1789–1815
The Music of India
Performance 3: Recorded Performance Project
Time and Rhythm
Studies in Electronic Music
Psychology of Music
Advanced Ethnomusicology
Studies in Symphonic Analysis
Words and Music
Britten's Chamber Opera's
Music Theology.
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Music
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