Music

Subject overview at Downing

Average places per year 1-2
Course duration 3 years - BA (Hons)
Standard offer  A*AA
Course requirements A-level Music
Grade 8 Theory might be considered as a substitute, on a case-by-case basis.
Admission overview

Submitted Examples of Written Work: one or two recent essays should be sent, along with any composition or other work, as possible.

Admissions Assessment: working of a Bach Chorale

Interview: Typically two interviews, including analysis of a short piece at sight, aural tests, and discussion of a short prose article.

UCAS code W300
Campus code D

Why Study Music at Cambridge?

Music is a hugely broad-ranging subject. It’s the study of culture and history, of societies and philosophies, of sound and how we perceive it – sometimes looking at the world from a musical perspective, and sometimes looking at music from the world’s perspective, whether it’s Renaissance polyphony or Javanese gamelan, 18th-century Romanian folk music or the contemporary jazz scene in America.

Music has always been fundamental to human society and culture. Studying it in depth, whether through analysing a score, deciphering an early form of notation, undertaking scholarly research into a particular period in history, or exploring the effects of music on our health and well-being, yields a multi-faceted understanding of the world and our place in it, as well as a glimpse into our own complex psyche as human beings.

Studying music at Cambridge enables the development of four important skills, all of which are extremely useful in a wide range of professional and occupational spheres. Analytical skills are exercised through aural and score analysis using different techniques; technical skills are acquired through the study of harmony and counterpoint; the general musicianship programme teaches practical skills (for example being able to harmonise a melody at the keyboard, perform on an instrument, understand the basics of conducting); and skills in musicological research are developed through lectures and supervision essays.

All teaching for Music follows the same course outline set by the Faculty of Music. The course structure and details can be found here.

Music graduates find themselves in a very wide range of different professions: the skills gained through studying the Tripos are truly transferable, with many students entering graduate training in the law, medicine, and research, while others go into teaching or performing, high-level administration roles, finance, management, and more.

Why Study Music at Downing?

The academic Music community at Downing is relatively small, typically with two students per year of the Tripos; however, music is a highly-valued and respected part of the College community, with an active Music Society and plenty of opportunities for practical music-making at all levels (including the administration and artistic planning of concerts and other activities). Funds are available to support Music students undertaking recital options as part of their studies. The Chapel Choir regularly undertakes trips to cathedrals and other venues both in the UK and overseas; closer to home, students of any subject who play or sing have the chance to share their skills with the wider community, with regular visits to care homes and so on.

Downing has one Bye-Fellow in Music – Louisa Denby – who is Director of Studies for the Music students, as well as having a role as Director of College & Chapel Music. She is heavily involved with Faculty teaching in areas of general musicianship and Music & Science, as well as supervising undergraduates in tonal composition and practical skills (including jazz). Her research takes place at the intersection of Music, Theology, and Evolutionary Biology; she has also recently given conference papers on the role of women in Britain’s post-war cultural landscape, with a particular focus on the Portia Wind Ensemble.

Who is Music at Downing College looking for?

At Downing we are looking for all the obvious things, such as a passion and aptitude for Music, and a strong desire to study it in-depth. We are also looking for students who take pride in their academic work, who care about the finer details, and who are prepared to fully commit to reading for a Cambridge degree and all that it has to offer.

Applicants for Music will be required to submit some work in advance of interview. This should include a recent essay or two (preferably marked by a teacher). Applicants may also like to send composition or other work. Videos of practical performance are not required.

Admissions tests involve completion of a Bach Chorale and a short aural analysis. An academic article will be provided, to then be discussed at interview, as well as analysis of a short piece at sight, and general questions around the candidate's interests.

How can you find out more about Music?

The best way to prepare for the interview process is to think about why you want to study Music, and why you want to do so at Cambridge. Practise discussing your interests with friends and family – what is it about Music that particularly fascinates you? Do you have a special interest in a certain era or type of music? Listen to lots of music – familiarise yourself with a wide range of genres and be prepared to talk about them. Keep up with cultural news and discussion – many newspapers publish reviews of concerts, operas, and other performances on a daily basis.

You might like to do some general reading, in which case books such as Donald J. Grout’s A History of Western Music are good to dip in and out of, as are the Oxford Handbooks, which encompass many areas of Music. Sites such as JStor provide free access to millions of articles for the intellectually inquisitive.