Music Theatre BA(Hons) Degree

Course outline

Stage 1

• Voice/Movement
• Design/Technology
• Performing/Notation
• Practices & Practitioners 1 & 2
• Locations of Performance 

Stage 2

• Performance/Composition 1 & 2
• Devising Project 1 & 2
• Planning & Proposals
• Music Theatre: Situated Project

Stage 3

• Music Theatre - Contextual Enquiry Project
• Research Writings
• Complementary Practice
• Music Theatre Final Project

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

 BA(Hons) Music Theatre award information form (100.92 KB)

Music composition has increasingly expanded its range of ‘instruments' to include live video, lighting design, live sound electronics, voice, gesture, movement, costumes, and spatial arrangements. Theatre has a long history of working with music forms. We aim to develop this interrelationship further to help you gain a real understanding of the possible musicalities inherent in theatrical performance - as well as develop the theatrical in music performance - so that you produce creative and highly original work.

By choosing to study for a degree in Music Theatre at Falmouth you will:

• Be taught by friendly and approachable staff who are all experts in their respective fields.
• Develop both a clear, theoretical understanding and the strong practical skills necessary for a successful career in music theatre.
• Understand the connections between theatre makers and the audiences, consumers, communities, industry and cultures that they serve.
• Have opportunities to work outside the University College in professional contexts.
• Benefit from our close relationships with many performance institutions, companies and artists, including: Battersea Arts Centre, Hall for Cornwall, Kneehigh Theatre, Cal Arts, Lone Twin Theatre Company, Goat Island, Rosie Dennis, Helen Chadwick, Bobby Baker and many others.
• Be based at the new Performance Centre, a high-specification facility, purpose-built for students' specific needs with the very latest equipment.

Links

• www.bac.org.uk
• www.hallforcornwall.co.uk
• www.kneehigh.co.uk
• www.calarts.edu
• www.lonetwin.com
• www.goatislandperformance.org

How is the course taught?

You'll learn to create your own music theatre works through a series of devising/composing projects and workshops, which run from the end of the first year to your final term. Central music theatre practitioners and practices will be explored through presentations, lectures, research exercises and assignments. You'll also take part in classes, workshops and interdisciplinary devising projects.

In the third year, you'll arrange to work on a music theatre project outside the University College, in a professional, cultural or social context depending on your interest. On your return, you'll have the opportunity to further develop your experiences and ideas through both solo and ensemble performance projects and connected research writings.

Assessment

The course operates on a basis of continuous assessment with no formal examinations. 

Facilities

Our new purpose-built Performance Centre includes:

• Large theatre
• Performance studio with variable raked seating options
• Large theatre and dance studio with a fully sprung Harlequin floor
• Performance studio designed for acoustic music
• Performance studio designed for amplified music
• Two further large dance studios with fully sprung Harlequin floors
• Three studio theatres
• Recording studio complex
• Music rooms for bands and solo occupancy

All studios are equipped with contemporary production lighting and sound facilities.

Professorial lecture series

Falmouth's Professorial lecture series aims to produce an engaging and challenging public programme that stimulates the intellectual curiosity of our staff, students and alumni, our research collaborators, our industry partners, our local communities and other supporters. Recent lectures relevant to Performance students include Robin Rimbaud (aka ‘Scanner') and Michael Grandage, artistic director of Donmar Warehouse.

Michael Grandage

A conversation with Michael Grandage

Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse in London, Michael has won every major theatre award and ranges from the European classical repertoire to new plays and musicals. Michael has worked with many of the UK's leading actors, such as Kenneth Branagh, Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes.

A video of Michael Grandage in conversation can be viewed online here

Robin Rimbaud (aka Scanner)

How to make art from life (with the help of a few ghosts)

British sound artist who has received critical acclaim and won admiration from the likes of Bjork, Aphex Twin and Stockhausen. Scanner has worked with Bryan Ferry, Radiohead and Laurie Anderson, The Royal Ballet, Merce Cunningham and Random Dance companies, composers Michael Nyman and Luc Ferrari, and artists Mike Kelley, Derek Jarman, Carsten Nicolai and Douglas Gordon, and performed in many of the world's most prestigious spaces.

Answers and advice about the course

For further information about BA(Hons) Music Theatre at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 255764.

Our student mentors are now on Facebook. To chat to a mentor about the course, living in Cornwall, or what to expect at Falmouth, check out the Theatre courses group. You need to join the group before you can post. Our student mentors have already done the first year of the course... so ask them anything you like!

Theatre courses Facebook group

If you're not Facebook you can still speak to a student mentor. Email your name and the course you're starting to: studentmentorenquiries@falmouth.ac.uk and we will be in touch with you.

Career opportunities

Throughout the course you'll learn how to use initiative, work in a team and meet deadlines under pressure. We expect our graduates will go on to work in a variety of contexts, including working in small, medium and large scale companies. Career opportunities include:

• Performance
• Writing
• Devising
• Directing
• Composing
• Music and/or theatre journalism
• Managing and curating music theatre
• Teaching
• Postgraduate study

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@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 255764.

Interview and selection process

All applicants will be invited to a selection day. For the day, you will be asked to prepare a short piece of vocal or instrumental composition. Applicants should also bring a short review of a contemporary performance. The day will include a workshop, a number of talks and a tour.

Selection days will be held on 19, 20 and 21 March 2012 only

Location: Performance Centre, Tremough Campus

Related courses

• Theatre BA(Hons)
• Music BA(Hons)
• Popular Music BA(Hons)
• Creative Music Technology BA(Hons)