Course overview
Practical Skills for the Musical Director
Students will learn the skills that are necessary to work professionally as a musical director in the theatre industry. These include:
- Keyboard skills (including programming), conducting, song analysis, scoring and arranging.
- Working with singers; audition/accompaniment technique, repertoire lessons, acting through song classes and understanding vocal technique.
- Rehearsal technique with actors, singers and musicians.
Collaborative Practice and Performance
Collaboration is an integral part of the ethos at Leeds Conservatoire. Musical Direction students will share core modules with students from the other Theatre MAs, where they generate new work in a collaborative, student-led environment. This encourages students to work in new and interdisciplinary ways where they can find and hone their individual creative voices as artists and practitioners. Throughout the year there will be several opportunities for these developing works to be performed in a range of contexts and environments.
Access to the Industry
This course offers an immediate introduction to the industry by working with leading professionals in the field, as well as taking advantage of the richly diverse theatrical community on our doorstep. Companies we work with include Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder, Opera North and Slung Low. Students will work on musicals, plays, and in the development of new work to experience the various shapes the role of the musical director may take.
Specialist Facilities
Our campuses include a brand-new building at Playhouse Square, housing state-of-the-art specialist performance facilities. With a panoramic view over the city landscape, this £60m development contains bespoke facilities for our theatre courses, including state-of-the-art dance and drama studio spaces and music ensemble rooms.
Leeds is also rich with creative and artistic spaces which are invaluable in offering training which is embedded in the City. As an artist who is interested in developing new work you may be able to use those environments to inspire your work.