Music

Pembroke has a lively music tradition. A mixed-voice Chapel Choir sings a wide repertoire. A flourishing Music Society organises choral, orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as instrumental recitals throughout the year. The College is a member of the Instrumental Awards Scheme. The organ scholars play a major role in College as well as Chapel musical affairs. The College's music is overseen by the Director of Music, Dr Sam Barrett, who regularly conducts the Chapel Choir. Dr Barrett is also a Fellow and Director of Studies in Music. A professional concert series is organised by the College Musician, Joseph Middleton. Recent events include recitals and master classes with internationally renowned artists Ian Bostridge, Wolfgang Holzmair and Nicholas Daniels. Following a significant bequest to the College in 2004 for the development of music within the College, music making of all kinds is generously supported.

The Music Tripos

The Music course at Cambridge is divided up into three units, Parts IA, IB and Part II, each of which is examined at the end of the academic year, in May. Information about the course is given in the current University Prospectus.

The Tripos is intended to deepen your understanding of music and its historical and cultural context, and to help you gain fundamental skills in writing and analysing music. The core of the course involves studies in history, analysis and compositional techniques. During your three years you will have an increasing amount of free choice in the subjects you study, as well as the opportunity to explore aspects of music that will be probably unfamiliar, such as notation and ethnomusicology. Although many music students at Cambridge want to enter the musical profession in one guise or another, the course provides a broad education for those who take up other occupations.

In the first year (Part IA), you study six subjects, all of them examined at the end of the year. Two concentrate on technical skills, one devoted to writing harmony, the other to writing counterpoint. The third and fourth involve music history. The fifth subject is Analysis and Repertoire which deals with music from 1700 to 1830. The sixth subject is Practical Musicianship, which develops your skills in aural and keyboard.

In the second year (Part IB) you study five subjects. The Portfolio of Tonal Compositions and Analysis and Repertoire (this time of music from 1830 to the present) are compulsory. You can then choose the other subjects from a wide-ranging list, including a dissertation on a subject of your choice.

In the third year (Part II) you study six subjects, at least two of which are to be examined by a three-hour written examination. Students can choose between a range of topics, including analysis, notation, historical subjects, ethnomusicology, performance and music cognition.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching takes all forms: lectures (formal instruction given by members of the Music Faculty Staff), seminars (smaller groups supervised by the Faculty Lecturers but involving student participation), Faculty classes for keyboard and aural training, and College-based supervisions (informal, but intensive discussion in small groups). Supervisions are arranged by the Director of Studies and may involve a number of teachers drawn from different Colleges. They are held in the supervisor's own rooms, either singly or in groups of two to six students. Supervisions are given in all subjects being studied for the tripos and represent the core of work done during the term. Essays, and exercises in harmony, counterpoint and composition, etc. are set and marked on a weekly basis. For further information about teaching methods at Cambridge read the introduction to the current University prospectus.

Music students have access both to the University Library and to the Pendlebury Library in the Faculty. The Pendlebury is one of the best equipped music faculty libraries in the country, containing a full range of complete editions, miniature scores, sheet music and music text books, as well as an excellent library of tapes and CDs. There are video-tape facilities and listening booths for recorded music. Pembroke College library has a well-stocked music section, containing music scores as well as books on music. Undergraduates reading music are provided with a keyboard in their College room.

Qualifications

Pembroke College wishes to attract undergraduates who have a serious interest in a Tripos course which is primarily academic. A reasonable keyboard facility is expected from all candidates, but applicants need not necessarily be specialist performers (music interviews will be concerned with testing academic rather than practical aptitude). On the other hand, a keen involvement in musical activity outside the confines of the Tripos is well regarded. The nature of the music Tripos course, which involves only a limited amount of time spent on lectures and supervisions, is best suited to well-organised and self-motivated students. Any combination of A-levels is acceptable. Either an A grade A-level in Music, or ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory is essential (though it should be noted that A-level Practical Music cannot count as one of the two A-levels required in order to satisfy University matriculation requirements). A basic knowledge of harmony, counterpoint and analytical skills, such as can be studied at A-level, is a distinct advantage.

Further information about the Music Tripos, the teaching of Music at Pembroke and admissions for Music candidates to the College may be obtained from Dr Sam Barrett.

See also the University Prospectus entry for Music.

Instrumental Awards

The College participates in the Instrumental Awards Scheme for gifted musicians interested in chamber music. More information about the Scheme can be found at www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/musicawards/instrumental.html. The closing date for this year's scheme is28th February 2011.

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