Our plans for courses in Music

Concerns have been expressed concerning the presentation of AA302 From Composition to Performance, and I am writing to give more details of the decision. 2008 will be the last year for the time being that we will be presenting AA302. The withdrawal of this course is to allow us to devote resource to developing new curriculum areas the Faculty.

I want to assure you, however, that the Faculty remains committed to the teaching of Music at all levels, and to the making it possible to gain awards in Music (albeit with less choice). We have just launched A179 Start Listening to Music, and we are excited about the first presentation of AA317 Words and Music in February 2008. This course brings a range of perspectives to bear on words an music in a variety of repertories from opera to songs and liturgy: more details can be found online.

In the long-term, A214 Understanding Music is scheduled to run until 2009 or 2010 and will be replaced straight away. We are already thinking about what shape a replacement level 2 music course might take. Our current MA Music provision is scheduled to run until 2016.

Finally, we keep all course and award matters under regular review each year. We are specifically committed to revisit the scope of the Level 3 Music curriculum during 2009/10. One option which I am sure we will want to consider carefully, and which would allow students more choice over time, is to bring back AA302 From Composition to Performance in 2012 alongside or instead of AA317 Words and Music. We will publicise further decisions as soon as we are able.

Professor Richard Allen
Dean of Arts

July 2007