The Student Room Group

Choosing a college to study music

Been looking at many different colleges to study music, specialising in vocals and composition but more in the pop industry rather than classical.
I was looking at Guildhall but get the impression it isn't suitable for me, more for a classical route.
Can anyone verify that please?
Many thanks.
Reply 1
Original post by HCJ33
Been looking at many different colleges to study music, specialising in vocals and composition but more in the pop industry rather than classical.
I was looking at Guildhall but get the impression it isn't suitable for me, more for a classical route.
Can anyone verify that please?
Many thanks.

Hey there,

Just thought I'd throw a couple suggestions in the ring as I know a lot of people who study specifically composition at different colleges/conservatoire!

I think Guildhall can be great, but my impression from my friend is that the 'experimental' aspects of it are largely to do with more classical, avant-garde and experimentalism esque work - think John Cage etc. (I might be wrong but this is my impression!)

One college that I have experience of being good is RWCMD as they have a recording studio plus smaller work studios and whilst you are timetabled to go to classical composition classes, you are also timetabled for electronic classes - think Logic, ProTools, Max etc. I know that there are students there who are writing for film but are also producing and releasing their own music through the facilities available and the tutors are happy to help with it. The only downside for you would be is that you are stuck predominantly to one specialty (unless you get involved with student led projects and are willing to create your own work) however, as a MA you can be a composer-performer. They do a lot of experimentalism and you are expected to think out of the box A LOT but it is a really lovely college!

I have heard that Leeds Conservatoire is supposed to be good too for a electronic/pop music ish but I'm not sure they do just music?

I know that one of the Birmingham Universities is highly regarded in the music world - particularly for composition!

If you are looking for more pop-music composition and pop-music singing then I know that BIMM and ICMP both come well regarded as places of study!

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