 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
Dr Martin Ennis (on sabbatical leave October 2011 till March 2012)
Fellow of Girton College
Dr Kate Kennedy (October 2011 till March 2012)
Research Fellow of Girton College
The College also has a Director of Music, Mr Hellyer Jones, who is responsible for practical musical activities at the College.
1 - 2 undergraduates. (Many more play or perform music.)
Approximately 3 applicants per place.
The Music Tripos is designed to give undergraduates a secure foundation in all the major musical disciplines while offering an increasing amount of free choice over the three years. While most undergraduates reading Music take all three Parts of the Tripos, undergraduates who have successfully completed one Part of another Tripos and are suitably qualified in Music may transfer to Music at the beginning of the IB course.
In Part IA the six subjects taken are: (1) Harmony and Counterpoint I; (2) Harmony and Counterpoint II; (3) Historical subjects I, which looks at a broad topic in Western music; (4) Historical subjects II, which involves a further topic in Western music and an introduction to Ethnomusicology; (5) Analysis and repertoire of 18th-century and early 19th-century music; and (6) Practical Musicianship, which develops aural and keyboard skills.
Second Year
Five subjects are taken in Part IB. A Portfolio of Tonal Compositions, and Analysis and Repertoire of 19th and 20th century music are compulsory. Candidates then choose either one or two of the following: a portfolio of free compositions; a dissertation of between 5,000 and 7,000 words on a subject of the candidate's choice; a test of advanced keyboard skills. The remaining subject or subjects will be chosen from among a range of up to six additional papers offered each year, covering a wide range of topics. Candidates for IB can also present a recital, which will be taken into account in the final examination mark if it is of sufficient merit.
In Part II candidates choose six subjects from a large number of options, including: portfolios in analysis, notation, free composition and advanced techniques of tonal composition; a dissertation of between 7,000 and 10,000 words on a subject of the candidate's choice; performance; up to ten additional papers offered each year, covering a wide range of topics.
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars and supervisions. Lectures and seminars are organised by the Faculty and take place in the Music School; supervisions are arranged by colleges.
Prospective students must have an A-Level in Music from a board whose syllabus focuses on the academic study of the subject. While performance is not discouraged, this must be balanced by rigorous study of history, analysis and composition.
The standard offer is A*AA at A2 (or equivalent), assuming good results already obtained or to be obtained at any further A/S levels.
Candidates applying for deferred entry are no less welcome than those applying for entry in the immediately following academic year.
Re-applications will be considered, but students are advised to think carefully before giving up a place at another good university to pursue a Cambridge application.
Mature students are admitted from time to time, and usually find that they are successful and happy in their course. If you wish to be considered as a mature applicant for Music, you should be engaged on or have recently completed a course such as A-Level, OU or an Access course. If you are in any doubt about your preparation for a university course, or your choice of College, you are advised to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances before making your application.
We encourage applicants from all types of school and college background, and although the information about offers given above indicates a typical requirement, each candidate is looked at in the light of his or her individual circumstances.
Both the University and the College have prizes, travel grants and hardship funds. The College also awards scholarships on the basis of outstanding results in University exams.
At the time of their interview, candidates will be asked to take a simple harmony or composition test, a short analysis test (based on an unseen), ear tests (a mistake-spotting exercise, dictation of melodies, chords and a chorale) and some elementary keyboard harmony. They will also be asked to submit in advance a recent essay and harmony or composition work.
Overseas candidates will be invited for interview. Those unable to attend should submit an essay and an example of harmony work.
Careers of recent graduates are extremely varied and include further education, teaching and performance.
The following list is taken from the Cambridge Music Tripos Preparatory Reading List. Whilst these books are required reading for anybody who is successful in their application, they should not be taken as necessary for interview purposes.
Cook, Nicholas Music: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2000)
Taruskin, Richard A History of Western Music (OUP, 2004) (sections thereof)
Bohlman, Philip V World Music: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2002)
Cook, Nicholas A Guide to Musical Analysis (OUP, 1994)
Music at Magdalene
One of the smaller and more intimate colleges, Magdalene is an active musical community. Music making finds a focus in the activities of the choir, but extends - through an enthusiastic Music Society - to other choral and instrumental groups. Concerts are held regularly in one of three halls or outdoors (weather permitting!). A recent innovation has been the staging of a College musical- in the last two academic years, Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat and Grease were presented to great acclaim. Magdalene is a friendly and inclusive place to make music. Although we admit students to study Music as an academic discipline, the vast majority of practical music making is by students engaged in other courses.
In the Chapel, there is a two manual Goetze and Gwynn organ, new in 2000. The Chapel gallery was also modified to allow the choir to sing from the raised west end on occasions.
Two pianos (a grand and an upright) were donated by a former member, and the harpsichord used by Sir John Eliot Gardiner on his Bach 2000 Tour, has also been given to the College. A chamber organ, a virginal, a further grand piano and several uprights complete the complement of College instruments.
In addition to Benson Hall and the Chapel, three further dedicated practice rooms are available. A new range of buildings has recently been constructed and this includes further concert and practice spaces. In addition to these facilities, students reading Music are assigned (so far as is possible) a room with a piano or keyboard.
There are usually two organ scholars who assist the college Organist by playing for services, and rehearsing and conducting the Chapel Choir. There are two choral Evensongs a week (Thursdays and Sundays), with an extra rehearsal on Wednesdays. Additional services are sung for Feast Days, weddings, funerals, memorial services etc during Full Term.
Organ Scholars are responsible for providing music at the College Eucharist each Sunday morning. Organ scholars and members of the choir are entitled to a free Formal Hall dinner after each service.
The Choir makes regular tours. In recent years the choir has toured in South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Devon, the Channel Islands, Malta, Wales, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Edinburgh, Dublin and Perugia. The Choir also sings in UK cathedrals, including Westminster, St Paul’s, Salisbury, Ely, Norwich, Llandaff, Ripon, St Edmundsbury, Chester, Lincoln and Coventry cathedrals, as well as St Albans and Westminster Abbeys. The Choir has made recordings, and the latest CD was released in 2006.
Organ and choral scholarships ordinarily last up to three years. Only exceptionally will a scholar relinquish the award. The value of an organ scholarship is currently £450pa. Organ scholars are guaranteed one of the better sets of rooms (with piano), and the College provides an allowance of £225 pa for organ lessons. The value of a Choral Scholarship is £100 pa and Choral Scholars receive an allowance of £125 pa towards singing lessons.
There are opportunities for musicians of every standard and type at Magdalene; to foster excellence, awards are available to instrumental players through the inter-collegiate Instrumental Awards Scheme run by a committee of music lecturers.
Instrumental Awards are open to performers on any of the following: violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn and piano. Through audition, the examiners select candidates who reach the requisite standard on the instrument, demonstrate a genuine commitment to chamber music, and show evidence of being able to work within an ensemble.
Award holders benefit from professional chamber music coaching from established professional musicians. In addition, the scheme is normally able to offer Award-holders modest subsidies towards the cost of individual instrumental lessons.
Further information about Organ and Choral Scholarships and Instrumental Awards may be obtained from the Admissions Office, Magdalene College, Cambridge CB3 0AG (tel. 01223 332135) or by contacting the Director of Music, Mr Jonathan Hellyer Jones (email jjhj2@cam.ac.uk).
September 2011
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
©2012 Magdalene College, Cambridge, CB3 0AG
Registered Charity Number 1137542