Critical and Experimental Composition University of Leeds

Overview

Throughout the Critical and Experimental Composition degree delivered by the University of Leeds you’ll you’ll take a combination of core modules helping you to develop your skills as a composer and musician.  You’ll also develop an awareness of broader topics in the study of music through exploration of aesthetic theory to help you understand and develop your compositional voice.

Your major project will be a portfolio of original compositions, and you can pursue optional modules in other areas of music such as musicology, music psychology, performance or electronic and computer music. There are opportunities to try out new work, both formally and informally, and the School of Music’s contemporary music ensemble, LSTwo, often includes student compositions in its repertoire. The School enjoys a significant reputation for performance studies and a lively and full concert diary – much of which will provide useful material for study by students on this course.

We have a variety of excellent facilities to support your learning, including rehearsal, performance and practice spaces, a lab for studying the psychology of music and studios for sound recording, software development and computer music composition.

Career opportunities:

• Composition tutors have connections with performers, ensembles, and festivals in all corners of the globe. These relationships can be useful for your professional development, giving you an insight into issues such as funding, publicity and other aspects of working life for professional freelance composers.
• Many of our graduates choose to continue and refine their research by applying for PhD level study. Several of our existing PhD students also completed their Masters courses here at Leeds.
• We have other resources to support you as you develop your career plans too – the School of Music has an Alumni Mentoring Network, where you can be supported by past students as you plan your next steps.