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Preparatory project

The preparatory project represents the first assessed component of the AdvArtDip.

The University regulations for the degree state that your work must ‘demonstate outstanding public performance skills commensurate with those of a professional artist’ and be capable of making ‘a significant and original contribution’ to your chosen artistic sphere.

For students on the instrumental strand, the nature and scope of the work will be discussed and agreed with your principal supervisor. As well as the performance itself, you may choose to include additional assessed elements, such as: arranging; composition; improvisation; editorship; collaboration; academic writing or presentation; musical leadership; or any other appropriate contribution to your specialism.

The project will be supported by up to 9 hours of supervision by an expert in your principal discipline.

The performance will normally take place at the Conservatoire during the mid-session examination diet in February, but may also take place at an external venue.

Assessment​

The performance together with any additional elements will be assessed by two internal assessors from the Conservatoire, neither of whom will be one of your supervisors. The assessors will follow the established Conservatoire practice of independent grading (‘blind marking’) leading to a single jointly agreed feedback report and a pass/fail grade.

The preparatory project component carries 60 credits that will be noted on your Student Outcomes page following progress review in February and confirmed by the Research Degrees Committee in April. Credit is awarded for the succesful completion of a substantial artistic project that demonstrates outstanding performance skills.

Assessment criteria​

Assessors will look for:

A substantial artistic project (examples)​

  • a public recital, solo, collaborative or ensemble, 45-60 minutes, presenting significant challenges in performance
  • public performance of a significant role in a staged opera
  • a novel performance project, individually created/curated by the student, commensurate in scope and challenge to 60 credits at level 12

Outstanding performance skills​

  • A technically accomplished performance displaying imaginative and sophisticated musical ideas and an original and personal voice.