This course has its roots in Salford’s pioneering Band Musicianship programme which has bound together musicians with a shared passion for music of many genres, from symphonic brass and brass and wind band through to big band jazz and popular music.

Building upon these long established foundations, the Musical Arts course is well known for producing high calibre graduates in conducting and performance such as Paul Lovatt-Cooper (UK), David King (Australia), Alan Withington (Norway), Paula Russell (Australia), Hiroe Tada (Japan), Ben Richeton (France)  and  Glyn  Williams (UK).

Welcoming musicians from all musical backgrounds, we have a large and vibrant student body who regularly contribute to a number of recordings, high profile concerts and festivals. Salford’s proximity to Manchester city centre means you will have the opportunity to engage with like-minded creative  artists  in  a city renowned for its dynamic music scene.

You will be able to take part in a number of our internationally acclaimed ensembles such as the Brass Band, Wind Band, Big Band and the Adelphi Contemporary Music Group and thereby engage with a varied and extensive concert programme.

Professional guest speakers and visiting artists, from our strong international links with the USA, Japan, Europe and Australia such as Nigel Clarke, Hummie Mann, Paul Mealor, Matthew Van Emmerick, Duncan Stubbs, Rex Richardson, Masanori Fukuda, Naoya Takizawa, and David Thornton will provide you with an appreciation of Manchester’s historical importance  within  both  traditional and contemporary music idioms. Our masterclass series will also assist you in your professional development and career management as a well-founded musician.

In addition to the traditional three-year degree route, you have the option of pursuing our preparation and training course, a one-year Foundation course, which develops the skill level required to continue further with the degree study.

"The BA (Hons) course, I feel was the best choice for me. With a range of different ensembles and helping me to widen my knowledge of music in general.  One of my favourite things about the course is that they encourage you at not only your current instrument but, if you are interested in  other  instruments,  they are supportive and want to further your individual development.   There is a workshop/masterclass every week by a professional group or musician, in different genres of music, from classical soloists to TV composers.  It shows us avenues we could take after  university  and  inspires us into the people we become outside of academia. Within the course there is a lot of opportunity to perform too from venues as prestigious as Regent Hall, to our modest local, The Old Pint Pot, we are surrounded by performance opportunities and encouraged in every way in our  musical  pathway."  -- Rebecca Childs