Orchestral Performance (Strings) - Postgraduate Diploma

Developed in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), our MMus and PgDip courses in Orchestral Performance are for advanced level string players considering professional orchestral auditions and on the brink of a professional career. 

In addition to one-to-one specialist tuition, you will spend a significant amount of rehearsal time in the CBSO alongside one or more dedicated host players who will act as mentors. You may also be offered opportunities to play at the back of the section to gain further experience. In addition to developing your technical facility, musicianship, interpretative skills, and stylistic awareness, you will expand your knowledge of orchestral repertoire, learn how to prepare for rehearsal in the most efficient way, develop strategies which will help you to integrate within your section and build confidence in preparing for orchestral auditions.

You will also participate in additional performance activities within the Conservatoire’s String Department and the wider Conservatoire, including performance classes, masterclasses, orchestra and chamber music. You'll have full access to our superb £57 million facilities, including our Concert Hall, 150-seat Recital Hall, our black box performance space known as The Lab, and more than 70 practice rooms, ensemble rooms and workshops; all acoustically designed to provide a music-making environment that is world-class.

Both PgDip and MMus courses also provide excellent opportunities for you to develop other skills relevant to a future career in the music profession.

A separate postgraduate pathway is available for Instrumental Performers, which includes both solo and chamber music routes for string players (the latter for existing ensembles). 

What's covered in the course?

• Specialist individual tuition.
• One or two dedicated CBSO mentors.
• Regular opportunities to rehearse within the CBSO.
• Access to a range of departmental activities and to masterclasses with distinguished visiting guest artists within the Conservatoire. 
• Frequent changes to perform within the Conservatoire, including solo, chamber and orchestral opportunities. 
• A core career development module designed to get your thinking about your future professional plans. 
• The flexibility to choose from a broad menu of Professional Development modules designed to help you work towards achieving your personal career aspirations. 
• In MMus, a core module designed to develop your skills as researchers or informed practitioners. 
• The possibility of transferring from PgDip to MMus once you have begun your studies (but before completion of the PgDip).