If performance is your passion – whether that be music, drama, or arts production – then could a conservatoire be the best place for you?
What Is A Conservatoire?
The word ‘conservatoire’, coming from the French, refers to a ‘music school’ or institution of higher learning which primarily prepares its students for lives as performers. All courses at conservatoires have a strong performance or vocational orientation, meaning that they serve to equip students with the skills to thrive in the performing arts industries.
How Does A Conservatoire Differ From A University?
While studying subjects such as music or drama at university may also lead to careers in the creative arts, conservatoires focus on the practical elements of performance while university courses tend to focus on academic skills. For example, if you are an avid instrumentalist – whether that be a virtuoso violinist, budding opera singer, or otherwise – who is set on pursuing a career as a soloist or orchestral musician, then the practical training you will receive at a conservatoire is second to none. However, if you view yourself as more of an ‘all-rounder musician’ – for example, someone who is interested in composing, performing, and writing about music in equal measure, or someone who is very open to the idea of working in a non-performance field after their degree – then studying music at a university might be the best thing to do. There is no right or wrong answer. Many world-leading soloists studied at university and many students who studied at conservatoires go on to have eclectic non-musical careers. However, the institution and course that you choose will still play a large part in shaping the course of your life. It is therefore worth thinking about very carefully!
How Many Conservatoires Are There?
There are 9 conservatoires in England and Wales:
- LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art)
- Leeds Conservatoire
- Royal Academy of Music
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Naturally, conservatoires are not a uniquely British phenomenon. There are a huge number of world-leading conservatoires around the globe, some of which you may have already heard of, such as the Julliard School in New York, the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, and the Paris Conservatoire in France.
What Might An Average Week At A Conservatoire Look Like?
This varies hugely according to specialism, course, institution, etc. However, as an instrumentalist studying for an undergraduate degree, you are likely to receive a 1-1 lesson with a world-leading professor, chamber music coaching, multiple performance opportunities, and academic sessions covering history, theory, and other topics.
How Do I Apply?
‘UCAS Conservatoires’ (formerly known as CUKAS) is an online portal which streamlines the application process and works in a very similar way to the UCAS University admissions system. If you are unsure whether a conservatoire or a university is the best place to be, there is a beauty in that applicants can apply via UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires simultaneously, receive their respective offers, and then make an even more informed decision further down the line. Most conservatoires, especially for performance-centred courses, will require shortlisted applicants to attend an in-person audition, where the talents and potential of prospective students are measured by a panel of faculty members.
How Can Think Tutors Help?
Applying to a conservatoire entails a minefield of decision making. How do I choose between conservatoires and universities? Do I apply to both? Are my performance skills at the required level? Which conservatoire do I pick? Do I need a consultation lesson? Which professor should I approach? What about grades..?
Fortunately, Think Tutors are ideally placed to guide you through this stage of your life. Whatever your dramatic or musical discipline, our elite tutors and mentors, with their first-hand experiences and inside knowledge, are ready to help you make the right decisions. From instrumental teaching to life coaching and career advice, contact Think Tutors today to find the answers that you need.