100 per cent of our 2010/11 organ graduates went on to pursue careers in music - including organ scholarships to Rochester, Canterbury and Wells Cathedrals.

 Organ

The organ and its literature form one of the cornerstones of Western art music. Organ studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire are centred around a syllabus that encompasses the unbroken tradition of organ composition from the 16th century to the present day. Our team of tutors is led by Henry Fairs, whose former students include several prize-winners at diploma level and in national and international competitions.

Your study

The focus of your study will be developing a solid technique and building a broad core repertoire with an emphasis on deepening your understanding in matters of performance practice, historically informed techniques and their practical application today.

Your course will also provide you with training in crucial skills required in the wider musical world. You will follow a syllabus with reading lists that cover three areas of repertoire per term and, in addition, receive training in church music skills, Royal College of Organists (RCO) diploma preparation, improvisation and continuo. Tuition is centred on the acclaimed, mechanical-action Walker organ in St Chad's Cathedral.

You will receive a first-study lesson with your principal teacher each week during term, plus occasional tuition from visiting specialists. In addition to first-study lessons, all undergraduates attend weekly performance classes and fortnightly choral conducting classes. Regular study trips to France, Germany and Holland include visits to historic instruments and masterclasses given by distinguished tutors and performers.

The Organ in Birmingham

Organ music plays a vital role in the life of the city of Birmingham, with regular profile recitals given by City Organist Thomas Trotter and guests on the Town Hall's historic instrument by William Hill and Symphony Hall's new Klais organ. Birmingham is also home to the libraries of the RCO and British Institute of Organ Studies. The city therefore offers a unique combination of resources and opportunities. The arrival of a new instrument by Marc Garnier at the University of Birmingham in 2014 will put the city firmly on the map as a centre of excellence in organ building, performance study and research.

Harpsichord

Harpsichord is available as a first or second study. Our two main instruments are by von Nagel, Paris (1988, after Michael Mietke) and Michael Johnson (1996, after Goermans/Taskin). The syllabus covers the core harpsichord repertoire from the late 16th to the late 18th century but you may also study contemporary works if you wish. Coaching in chamber music (obbligato and continuo pieces) is available and both harpsichordists and organists have regular continuo classes.

Scholarships

As a Conservatoire student, you will have the opportunity to gain additional hands-on experience by applying for organ scholarships - including those at Birmingham's two cathedrals and the prestigious Percy Whitlock Organ Scholarship at Symphony Hall. You will receive details of the organ scholarships available after your application has been received. An entry scholarship for continuo players is also available.

Organ scholarships
Organ scholarships are offered by St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham Cathedral and other local churches. The Symphony Hall Percy Whitlock Scholarship gives an appropriately experienced student a role in Symphony Hall’s educational programme and opportunities to demonstrate the instrument to a variety of audiences. You will receive details of the organ scholarships available after your application has been received.

Continuo scholarship
Both harpsichordists and organists can take advantage of the Conservatoire’s excellent Early Music programme. One of our two Corton-Hyde Early Music Scholarships is available to support a talented undergraduate or postgraduate continuo student wishing to further their studies in Early Music.

Junior Organ Studies

On Saturdays during term the Junior Conservatoire offers a comprehensive course for young organists aged 7-18, providing specialist training for beginners through to preparation for university and conservatoire entry.

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The Department of Music is one of the largest in an older University, with a history stretching back to 1905 when Edward Elgar was appointed the University's first Professor of Music. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts with its award-winning art gallery and concert hall forms the heart of the Music Department. The Music Library is one of the best in the country, with Special Collections centred on 20th-century English music (including Elgar - diaries, manuscript scores and early editions) and Baroque music. The Department enjoys close relations with the Birmingham Conservatoire, where many University students receive their practical tuition.

In order to build on Music’s world leading excellence, the University has plans for a new Music building, with cutting edge facilities for music research and a new multi-million pound 450-seat music auditorium, ideal for staging everything from international artists to community concerts as well as conferences of all kinds. This will complement the region’s other auditoria and the University’s recently refurbished Barber Concert Hall. ‘This new facility will be invaluable not only for the Music Department and for music making in the University,’ comments Prof. John Whenham, ‘but also for the University community as a whole. And it will complete the vision of the Aston Webb semi-circle conceived by our first Chancellor, Joseph Chamberlain.’