Music Theatre BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Music Theatre at University College Falmouth?

Performance courses - additional information (994.71 KB)

If you come from a music, drama or performing arts background and want to explore the possibilities of theatrical expression as musical material, then Falmouth's exciting Music Theatre degree is for you. Whether you're interested in working as a performer, writer, devisor or composer, BA(Hons) Music Theatre will enable you to make groundbreaking work in a variety of professionally-based contexts and communities.

Our innovative Music Theatre course engages with the sonic and visual elements of the stage and the diverse ways in which they can be used. Musical composition has increasingly expanded its range of ‘instruments' to include live video, lighting design, live sound electronics, voice, gesture, movement, costumes, and spatial arrangements, and pays closer attention to the theatricality of the musical performer. We'll help you gain a deep understanding of the musicality of theatrical performance - as well as the theatricality of the musical performance - so that you produce creative and highly original work.

At Falmouth we have considerable expertise in devising, composing, movement, design and technological innovation and you'll be at the heart of a thriving creative hub. You will gain vital experience and understanding through fantastic collaborative opportunities with other students in the School Art & Performance and the Schools of Design and Media. Our creative vocational approach will arm you with the sound theoretical understanding and strong skill base necessary for a successful career in this vibrant field.

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Music Theatre course

Housed in our brand new, purpose-built Performance Centre, this course provides dedicated music sessions to develop your performance and composition skills. You'll also cultivate specific theatre skills such as vocal and movement production and composition, writing and devising original material. You'll work with other students as a company on a series of projects to create and explore this genre, and look at the impact of media and technology on today's new music theatre forms.

Falmouth's Music Theatre degree allows you to develop and integrate your music and theatre skills so that you can make dynamic contemporary music theatre performance. Core skills in music and theatre performance alongside research, theoretical and contextual study will fully support your learning experience and exposure to a wide range of possible music theatre practices and practitioners.

You'll work in a wide variety of contexts, from classes in studios and a range of environments to workshops, professional performance projects and industry placements - becoming fully aware of the place your creative practice can take in the contemporary arts industry.

During the course, you'll receive tuition from expert practitioners and specialist musicians in this resource-rich environment. You'll be exposed to professional contexts from the word go, across the whole spectrum of music theatre genres - from West End musical theatre, opera and cabaret to beat box, digital sound performance, live art, performance art, community practices and sited music theatre performance. As the course progresses, you'll have greater freedom to explore your own areas of interest, supported more by staff supervision than tutor-led study. In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to create your own music theatre piece, carry out a project off-campus, and hone your skills, experience and contacts for an exciting career.

Our primary aim is to make you adaptable and distinctive in this highly competitive industry, so we also teach and foster innovative music theatre practices of a wider and contemporary kind. You'll also have the opportunity to orient your studies towards a specific element of theatre practice, such as performance, directing, writing, design and production, or screen and media performance.

Throughout the course, you'll be encouraged to test out the challenges that confront professional contemporary theatre, learning how to use your initiative, work in a team, meet deadlines under pressure and understand the connections between theatre makers, audiences and the consumers, communities, industry, and cultures that they serve.

Benefitting from Falmouth's excellent links with the music industry and contemporary theatre companies, you'll have opportunities to meet professionals who'll be key to opening up possibilities for work placements both during and after the course.

Facilities

From 2010, all performance courses will be based at our new £15 million Performance Centre at our Tremough campus. This high-specification facility is purpose-built for students' specific needs with the very latest equipment and will encourage collaborations between the three Schools to create exciting new performance, installation and exhibition projects.

Specific facilities for theatre students include a large theatre performance studio with variable raked seating options and three studio theatres, all equipped with contemporary production lighting and sound facilities.

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

Career Opportunities

• Performer
• Writer
• Devisor
• Director
• Composer
• Music and/or theatre journalism
• Solo career
• Session musician
• Ensemble work
• Commissioner
• Teaching
• Postgraduate study

Course entry requirements

A minimum of 220 UCAS points, mainly from the A2 level (including one Grade B) or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. You'll also need to be able to show baseline skills in music theatre performance and/or composition/arranging, gained through relevant music theatre experience or exam courses such as ABRSM grades (around grade 6 standard expected), A/AS-Level Music/Music Technology/Theatre.  

Please see our How to Apply page for more information.

For further information about BA(Hons) Music Theatre at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@dartington.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01803 861620.

Interview dates and selection process

Selection days will commence in December.

Selection days will involve improvisation and working in small groups.

Applicants will be expected to bring:

• A prepared piece of vocal or instrumental composition of no more than two minutes. This fragment may be your own composition or it may be material from another source that interests you. The prepared material will be used for group improvisation and making exercises. Please bring comfortable clothes for movement.
• A short review of a contemporary music theatre performance that you have recently seen (a page at most).

Location: Dartington Campus and London, Bristol and Birmingham

Related courses

• Theatre: Performance BA(Hons)
• Theatre: Directing BA(Hons)
• Theatre: Writing BA(Hons)
• Music BA(Hons)
• Music: Composition BA(Hons)
• Music: Performance BA(Hons)
• Popular Music BA(Hons)
• Creative Music Technology BA(Hons)