Advanced Musical Studies

Becky
Music MMus
When I was applying for postgraduate programmes I found it difficult to decide whether to continue my studies at music college or go to a university. I chose King's in the end because I felt that the wide-ranging expertise on offer and the variety within the course would be more suitable to me than another course of only composition. I wanted to make sure I left my postgraduate studies with a rounded skill set that will hopefully help me to forge a career afterwards!

As a composer at King's you take two modules with the musicologists, and I've found that my academic studies have fed into my composition and enhanced my work in ways I couldn't have predicted. There are three main composition tutors at King's - Silvina Milstein, Rob Keeley and George Benjamin. I study with Silvina and my one-to-one lessons are easily the best and most beneficial part of the course.

At King's you're expected to write three assessed pieces over the year. There are workshops with resident ensemble Lontano in February who perform MMus pieces, and eager musicians around the department who are happy to play our music the rest of the time.

For me, one of the biggest reasons for choosing King's was the opportunity to be based in London. London is the centre of all musical happenings in the UK, and there are so many concerts and events going on that being here is never dull. I'm trying to take advantage of everything that I can whilst I'm living in this exciting and vibrant city, and hoping that it will all help me to find something I love to do when I graduate!

You can find out more about being a student in the Department of Music by reading Becky's blog!