Master of Music in Performance

Developing Advanced Performance Skills

Students in this postgraduate course work to improve their musical performance through targeted weekly lessons. Musicians receive an individual, one-on-one professional lesson every week for one hour to focus entirely on their specific instrument or vocal technique. Beyond solo practice, students join ensemble lessons for two to three hours every week, which helps them build practical group communication and coordination skills. The classroom style focuses on direct practice and peer review rather than traditional written tests, as there are no formal examinations for any of the subjects. Instead, progress is measured through assignments, project plans, and musical performances.

Research and Academic Foundation

The Master of Music in Performance at Singapore Raffles Music College balances practical stage work with academic research skills. Students take specific modules like Research Informed Practice and Research Methods to learn how to investigate musical history and performance traditions. These modules teach musicians how to analyze existing academic papers and gather relevant historical facts to support their playing choices. Students also explore Critical Perspectives and Music Pedagogy, which introduces teaching styles and methods for educating future musicians.

Solo Projects and Performance Events

Musicians learn how to plan and execute their own musical events independently. The course requires students to complete individual project assignments, meaning everyone designs and manages their own performance portfolio and creative schedules without relying on group submissions. Students also participate in regular performance exchange meetings. These events include a mix of student lectures, large-scale seminars, extra classes, and presentations where individuals share their work and receive constructive feedback on their performance style.

The Masters Project and Dissertation

The final part of the academic year focuses heavily on a major independent project. Students work closely with an assigned thesis advisor who acts as a supervisor throughout the research process. Together, they plan and draft a final dissertation that must reach a length of 10,000 words, excluding lists of references, questionnaires, and direct quotations. Alongside this extensive academic text, students complete a comprehensive Masters Project that combines their written research with a final musical performance showcase awarded by the University of West London.