Department of Music
The Music Department is housed in Hope’s city-centre performance centre, the Capstone Building, which forms part of the University's Creative Campus and opens out onto landscaped gardens. In addition to a 300-seater concert hall equipped with a Steinway model-D concert grand, the Capstone contains a dozen sound-proofed practice rooms, four electronic studios and other specialised teaching spaces. As a purpose-built music venue it hosts an array of musical events throughout the year, including regular lunchtime and evening performances, the prestigious annual Cornerstone Festival, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's award-winning new music group, Ensemble 10/10.
The Department is committed to providing a breadth of musical experience. Studies in musicology courses span four centuries, covering music from Byrd to Beyoncé; all composition students have their work played by members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; performance students give recitals, take part in Open Mic nights, and get the opportunity to play in city-centre venues; and music by acousmatic student composers is featured in the Cornerstone Festival.
All students are encouraged to participate in the many practical activities organised by the department, including choirs, orchestra, concert band, chamber music ensemble and the innovative laptop orchestra H.E.L.L.O (Hope Electronic Live Laptop Orchestra). During 2011-12, the Hope Orchestra embarked on a two and a half year project during which they will perform of all of Mozart’s Piano Concertos with our Professor of Musical Performance, Joanna MacGregor.
There are a number of (competitive) instrumental and choral scholarships available.
Our graduates follow a range of careers both inside and outside the world of music. Over 90% of Hope graduates go on to work or further study within six months of graduating.
Liverpool Hope is a long-established centre of excellence for the study, composition and performance of new music. Recently added specialisms include musicology, early music, and historically-informed performance. The Department also benefits from close partnerships with a number of arts organisations including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, European Opera Centre and Milapfest. The Cornerstone Festival, held each November, provides a platform for some of our latest work, programmed alongside visiting artists and ensembles from across the globe. Head of Music, Professor Stephen Pratt, is Festival Director.
In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 65% of the music research submitted by Liverpool Hope was 'recognised internationally' for its originality, significance and rigour, and, of this, 30% was highlighted as 'internationally excellent'. The Department has continued to develop its research profile, having made three new appointments during the 2011-12 academic year, and is currently in the process of adding two Professorial Fellows, in composition and musicology.
The Department runs its own music research group and seminar series, and participates in a number of cross-disciplinary activities including meetings of research groups. Central to the Department’s research culture is its growing community of postgraduate students, both in taught MA programmes and research degrees.
Students benefit from Hope's longstanding partnerships with arts organisations that share its commitment to education. The University is the Higher Education Partner of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and members of the orchestra teach, perform and advise students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Our partners also include the Indian arts trust Milapfest, and the European Opera Centre, which provides training and performance opportunities for early-career opera singers. In 2010 Hope also became one of the first UK universities to achieve the status of an 'All-SteinwaySchool'.
We would normally expect a standard of no less than Grade VI (ABRSM)
No, these are provided free, though the performance courses at second and third year are capped, with participation in these courses subject to audition.
For further information, please contact the Departmental Administrator:
Mr Mark Pountney
Department of Music
Tel: 0151 291 3284
Email: pountnm@hope.ac.uk