Higher Studies in music

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Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

Within the YST Conservatory’s first decade, it quickly established a reputation for world-class musical excellence with students gaining international recognition from leading artists and institutions. As Asia’s international conservatory, YST pioneers the possibility of a multi-national, globally relevant music education environment, situated in Singapore which is one of the world’s best-connected Asian countries. Music in Singapore and the region has evolved enormously, and YST is proud of the role it has played – through its students, alumni, staff, faculty, events, facilities, programmes, partnerships and advocacy – in inspiring this evolution.

Area Of Specialization

Audio Arts & SciencesThe Audio Arts & Sciences (AAS) area provides holistic and applied training that builds students’ capabilities as audio engineers, music producers, sound designers and acousticians, who possess technical expertise as well as sophisticated musical knowledge. Students gain valuable experience working in YST’s vibrant calendar of events across the year, as well as recording projects ranging from jazz, rock and pop to orchestral repertoire. Course offerings in community engagement and musical leadership further prepare them to create impact within and beyond the studio.
BrassStudents in the Brass area receive holistic training in solo, chamber and orchestral performance. In our deliberately small and highly-selective cohort, students benefit from intensive personal attention from their studio teachers, as well as team-taught courses tapping the entire Brass faculty’s expertise. They further build their capabilities in the areas of community engagement, brass pedagogy, and musical leadership.
CompositionThe Composition programme at YST aims to develop the artistic voices of its students. In addition to weekly lessons with a composition mentor, the Composition major offers comprehensive training through a diverse selection of modules and an array of performance opportunities. Their major studies are further enriched by modules in theoretical and historical aspects of music as well as leadership and community engagement. They also receive support to attend festivals and competitions within Singapore and overseas.
Music & SocietyThe Music & Society programme offers broad disciplinary outreach encompassing the study of music in potential social, political, economic and aesthetic contexts. It is designed to enable aspiring artists to realise their leadership potential in a range of different emerging contexts, in addition to their specialisation in an instrument, Voice, Composition, or Audio Arts & Sciences.
Music, Collaboration & ProductionThe Music, Collaboration & Production programme offers broad disciplinary outreach and allows exploration of practical applications such as alternative ensemble contexts, production approaches and presentation platforms. It is designed to enable aspiring artists to realise their leadership potential in a range of different emerging contexts, in addition to their specialisation in an instrument, Voice, Composition, or Audio Arts & Sciences.
PercussionStudents in the Percussion area receive holistic training that builds not only performance excellence, but also strong capabilities in the context of ensemble music-making, contemporary music, and non-Western musical cultures. They further build their capabilities in the areas of community engagement, orchestral pedagogy, and musical leadership.
PianoThe intensive training programme offered by YST’s Piano area attracts outstanding applicants from Asia, Europe, USA, Canada and Australasia. The Piano intake each year is small and highly selective, so that our faculty members can attend to the individual needs and personal development of every pianist in our highly specialised training programmes.
Strings & HarpYST’s Strings students receive intensive performance training in a connected curriculum of solo studies, chamber music and ensemble activity. Students attend weekly individual lessons and studio classes with faculty members, and benefit from a wider array of course offerings including music studies, pedagogy, community engagement and leadership.
VoiceVoice studies at the YST Conservatory are aimed at developing the gifted young vocalist into a diverse artist with excellent technical facility, a broad range of stylistic knowledge and performance experiences and the tools needed to propel them into a successful singing career either at the graduate or young professional level. Over the four years, they develop healthy and efficient vocal technique through studies that are suited to their vocal development and allow them to reach their full potential. In addition to individual and ensemble study, recitals, and language and literature studies, they further build their capabilities in the areas of community engagement, vocal pedagogy, and musical leadership.
WoodwindsStudents in the Woodwind area receive holistic training in solo, chamber and orchestral performance. In our deliberately small and highly-selective cohort, all students have opportunities to perform in concerts, masterclasses and outreach activities that take place throughout the academic year, both on campus and in the community, as well as with our global partners. They further deepen their understanding and capabilities in the areas of music studies, pedagogy, community engagement and musical leadership.

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Degree
Bachelor of Music 
Master of MusicThe Master of Music (MMus) is a two-year full-time programme designed for those who have just completed a qualifying Bachelor of Music or appropriate university-level studies (in Singapore or overseas) and wish to advance their professional studies in music at YST.
Young Artist ProgrammeThe Young Artist Programme nurtures 15-18 year olds who demonstrate outstanding performance or composition abilities, up until the point when they become eligible for placement to the Bachelor of Music programme.Young Artist Programme students receive close instruction from Conservatory faculty (one hour a week), attend studio classes in their Major area (two hours a week), and engage in supporting academic study. In addition, students have opportunities to participate in Conservatory masterclasses, concerts, chamber music and orchestral sessions with agreement from their Major teacher and the relevant faculty member(s) in charge. Throughout, students are expected to continue to be enrolled in a Singapore school.
Young Composers’ AcademyThe Young Composers’ Academy aims to inspire a new generation of composers in Singapore by supporting talented, young musicians at the secondary and junior college levels with university-level mentoring. Each year, up to ten young composers aged 15–21 based in Singapore schools are selected to participate in the academy.
YST Piano AcademyThe YST Piano Academy invites outstanding young piano talents to Singapore for a three-day intensive training course, during which they go through daily lessons with YST Piano faculty Prof Thomas Hecht and Assoc Prof Albert Tiu, specialised public masterclasses, as well as a final concert. It is open to prospective students ages 16 to 18 of all nationalities (Singaporean male students may apply if they are completing National Service by 2020).