COURSE CURRICULUM

The Jazz course at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is structured over four years, providing a comprehensive blend of performance, practice, and professional development. In the first year, students focus on core modules including Principal Study, Praxis, Listening and Context, and Professional Portfolio 1: Community Engagement, building foundational skills in performance, improvisation, and musical understanding while engaging with local communities. The second year deepens these skills through extended study in Principal Study, Praxis, Listening and Context, and Professional Portfolio 2: Pedagogy and Practice, emphasizing technical development, ensemble work, and teaching methodologies. In the third year, students consolidate their performance and professional skills through modules in Principal Study, Music Production, and Music Promotion, with optional modules such as Collaborative Practice, Live Project, or Work Placement providing further practical experience and industry engagement. The fourth year allows students to focus on optional modules tailored to their personal interests and career goals, enabling specialization and advanced development in performance, composition, or industry-related projects. Across the course, students benefit from individual specialist tuition, one-to-one coaching, and opportunities to perform alongside professional musicians, gaining real-world experience in venues like the Eastside Jazz Club and external collaborations such as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. This structure equips graduates with the technical expertise, creative insight, and professional awareness needed for successful careers in contemporary jazz performance and related fields.