Registrar's Office

  Print this page

Undergraduate Education

Bachelor of Music (Honours)

The Conservatory offers the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, with majors in Performance (Piano and Orchestral Instruments), Composition, Recordings Arts and Sciences and Voice. This is a four-year full-time music degree programme focusing particularly on music performance with appropriate supporting academic studies. The Conservatory also offers the Joint Bachelor of Music Degree programme with the Peabody Institute at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU). This is the first and only international undergraduate conservatory music programme of its kind in the world.

In this four-year (8 semester) joint degree programme, students will attend classes at both YSTCM in Singapore and the Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland USA, with 5 semesters spent at YSTCM and three semesters at Peabody.

Conservatory graduates can enter advanced programmes in music, or in any other field requiring the completion of an earned Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

3.1        Degrees Offered

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music offers four full-time music programmes leading to the degrees of:

  • •    Bachelor of Music (Honours) (Performance)
  • •    Bachelor of Music (Honours) (Composition)
  • •    Bachelor of Music (Honours) (Recording Arts and Sciences)
  • •    Bachelor of Music (Honours) (Voice)

3.2        Degree Requirements                

3.2.1     Admission Requirements

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory welcomes applications from musically gifted students who aspire to be professional musicians. Consequently a successful audition or composition portfolio is the primary consideration for admission. Applicants should be comfortable performing the audition repertoire to a high technical and expressive standard. Students’ academic records will also be taken into consideration as part of the admission process.

Transfer students should refer to the University’s Office of Admissions for more details: http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/

3.2.2     Curriculum Structure and Requirements

All full-time Conservatory students must carry a minimum workload of 15 modular credits (MC) per semester.

3.2.2.1  Graduation Requirements for Students matriculated from AY2007/08 onwards

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree programme from AY2007/08 onwards must complete Music Modules and Non-Music Modules, and are required to earn the following MCs in order to graduate:

Orchestral major  160 MCs
Piano major  160 MCs
Composition major  160 MCs
Recording arts and sciences major  160 MCs
Voice major:  160 MCs

Curriculum Outline for orchestral, piano and composition majors

I.     Major Requirements (88 MCs)

Applied Major Studies – eight modules, one per semester

(52 MC)

Ensembles/Class Activities – seven modules, one per semester

(28 MC)

Professional Skills and Awareness – three modules

(8 MC)

II.    Faculty Requirements (40 MCs)

Musical Concepts and Materials – four modules, one per semester for first two years

(20 MC)

Communicating about Music – two modules

(4 MC)

Conducting – one module

(2 MC)

History – two modules

(8 MC)

Unrestricted Electives

(6 MC)

III.   University Requirements (32 MCs)

Singapore Studies – one module

(4 MC)

Unrestricted Electives – minimum three modules

(12 MC)

GEMs – four modules

(16 MC)

IV.   Conservatory Requirements (no MC)

Noon Recitals – six semesters of satisfactory attendance

Ensemble Activities – as required by the Ensembles & Professional Development Office

  

Curriculum Outline for recording arts and sciences majors

I.     Major Requirements (88 MCs)

Fundamentals (maths and science subjects) – five modules

(19 MC)

Core (primary courses comprising subject matter) – 16 modules

(61 MC)

Professional Skills and Awareness – three modules

(8 MC)

II.    Faculty Requirements (40 MCs)

Musical Concepts and Materials – four modules, one per semester for first two years

(20 MC)

Communicating about Music – two module

(4 MC)

Conducting – one module

(2 MC)

History – two modules

(8 MC)

Unrestricted Electives

(6 MC)

III.   University Requirements (32 MCs)

Singapore Studies – one module

(4 MC)

Unrestricted Electives – minimum three modules

(12 MC)

GEMs – four modules

(16 MC)

IV.   Conservatory Requirements (no MC)

Noon Recitals – six semesters of satisfactory attendance

  

Curriculum Outline for Voice majors

I.     Major Requirements (88 MCs)

Applied Major Studies – eight modules, one per semester

(42 MC)

Core (primary courses comprising subject matter) – 15 modules

(41 MC)

Professional Skills and Awareness

(5 MC)

II.    Faculty Requirements (40 MCs)

Musical Concepts and Materials – four modules, one per semester for first two years

(20 MC)

Communicating about Music – two module

(4 MC)

Conducting – one module

(2 MC)

History – two modules

(8 MC)

Unrestricted Electives

(6 MC)

III.   University Requirements (32 MCs)

Singapore Studies – one module

(4 MC)

Unrestricted Electives – minimum three modules

(12 MC)

GEMs – four modules

(16 MC)

IV.   Conservatory Requirements (no MC)

Noon Recitals – six semesters of satisfactory attendance

  

Curriculum breakdown for orchestral, piano and composition majors

Year 1

Semester 1              

Major Study (M [1])

5

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

Musical Concepts and Materials I (F [2])

6

Communicating about Music I (F)

2

TOTAL

17

Semester 2

Major Study (M)

6

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

Introduction to Professional Studies (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials II (F)

6

Communicating about Music II (F)

  

TOTAL

20

Year 2

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

5

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

Musical Concepts and Materials III (F)

4

History I (F)

4

Critical Thinking for Musicians (U[3] – GEM)

4

TOTAL

21

Year 2

Semester 2

Major Study (M)

6

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

Musical Concepts and Materials IV (F)

4

History II (F)

4

Patrons of the Arts/GEM (U – GEM)

4

TOTAL

22

Year 3

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

5

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

Professional Skills and Awareness (M)

3

Conducting (F)

2

Technological Innovations/GEM (U – GEM)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

21

Semester 2        

Junior Recital (M)

8

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

4

GEM (U)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

19

Year 4

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

5

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

2

Professional Skills and Awareness (M)

3

Singapore Studies (U)

4

2 Electives (U)

8

TOTAL

22

Semester 2

Senior Recital (M)

12

Class Activities relating to Major Study (M)

2

Electives (U)

4

TOTAL

18

Curriculum breakdown for recording arts and sciences majors

Year 1

Semester 1        

Basic Recording 1 (M)

4

MA1505 Maths 1 (M)

4

PC1431 Physics 1E (M)

4

Musical Concepts and Materials I (F)

6

Communicating about Music I (F)

2

TOTAL

20

Semester 2

Basic Recording 2 (M)

4

MA1506 Maths 2 (M)

4

PC1432 Physics 2E (M)

4

Introduction to Professional Studies (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials II  (F)

6

Communicating about Music II (F)

2

TOTAL

22

Year 2

Semester 1

Multitrack Recording I (M)

4

Acoustics and Psychoacoustics (M)

4

EG1108 Electrical Engineering (M)

3

Musical Concepts and Materials III (F)

4

History I (F)

4

Critical Thinking for Musicians (U – GEM)

4

TOTAL

23

Semester 2

Multitrack Recording 2 (M)

4

Musical Acoustics (M)

4

Digital Audio Media (M)

3

Musical Concepts and Materials IV (F)

4

History II (F)

4

TOTAL

19

Year 3

Semester 1

Audio Mixing (M)

4

Electroacoustics (M)

3

Professional Skills and Awareness (M)

3

Conducting (F)

2

Technological Innovations/GEM (U – GEM)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

19

Semester 2

Production Styles and Techniques (M)

4

Production Listening (M)

3

GEM (U)

4

GEM (U)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

18

Year 4

Semester 1

Audio Mastering (M)

4

NM1101E Communications, New Media & Society (M)

4

Professional Skills and Awareness (M)

3

Singapore Studies (U)

4

Electives (U)

4

TOTAL

19

Semester 2

Audio for Media (M)

4

NM2216 Introduction to Interactive Media OR

NM2210 Aesthetics of New Media

4

Internship (M)

4

2 Electives (U)

8

TOTAL

20

Curriculum breakdown for Voice majors

Year 1

Semester 1              

Major Study (M)

4

Italian 1 (M)

3

Diction for Singers 1 (M)

2

Chamber Singers 1 (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials I (F)

6

Communicating about Music I (F)

2

TOTAL

19

Semester 2

Major Study (M)

5

Italian 2 (M)

3

Introduction to Professional Studies (M)

2

Chamber Singers 2 (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials II (F)

6

Communicating about Music II (F)

2

TOTAL

20

Year 2

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

4

German or French (M)

4

Diction for Singers 2 (M)

2

Chamber Singers 3 (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials III (F)

4

History I (F)

4

Critical Thinking for Musicians (U –GEM)

4

TOTAL

24

Year 2

Semester 2

Major Study (M)

5

German or French (M)

4

Chamber Singers 4 (M)

2

Musical Concepts and Materials IV (F)

4

History II (F)

4

Patrons of the Arts/GEM (U – GEM)

4

TOTAL

23

Year 3

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

4

German or French (M)

4

Voice Literature 1 (M)

2

Professional Skills and Awareness (M)

3

Conducting (F)

2

Technological Innovations/GEM (U – GEM)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

22

Semester 2        

Junior Recital (M)

6

German or French (M)

4

Voice Literature 2 (M)

2

GEM (U)

4

Elective (F)

3

TOTAL

19

Year 4

Semester 1

Major Study (M)

4

Vocal Pedagogy (M)

3

Singapore Studies (U)

4

2 Electives (U)

8

TOTAL

19

Semester 2

Senior Recital (M)

10

Electives (U)

4
 

TOTAL

14

Breakdown of Ensembles & Class Activities by Instrument (only for orchestral, piano and composition majors)

I.      Violin, Viola and Cello

Large Ensemble – six semesters x 2 MCs

(12 MC)

Chamber Music – six semesters x 2 MCs

(12 MC)

Orchestral Excerpts – two semesters x 2 MCs

(4 MC)

II.     Double bass

Large Ensemble – six semesters x 2 MCs

(12 MC)

Chamber music – four semesters x 2 MCs

(8 MC)

Orchestral Repertoire – four semesters x 2 MCs

(8 MC)

III.   Wind, Brass and Percussion

Sectional Skills (Year 1)

(4 MC)

Large Ensemble – four semesters x 2 MCs

(8 MC)

Chamber Music – four semesters x 2 MCs

(8 MC)

Orchestral Repertoire – four semesters x 2 MCs

(8 MC)

IV.   Composition

Applied Secondary – two semesters x 2 MCs

(4 MC)

Computer Music           –           two semesters x 2 MCs

                         two semesters x 4 MCs

(4 MC)

(8 MC)

Orchestration – two semesters x 3 MCs

(6 MC)

Choir – one semester x 2 MCs

(2 MC)

Composition Elective – one semester x 4 MCs

(4 MC)

V.     Keyboard

Year 1 Accompaniment – two semesters x 2 MCs

(4 MC)

Year 1 Piano Ensemble – two semesters x 2 MCs

(4 MC)

Year 3 Keyboard Skills – two semesters x 2 MCs

(4 MC)

Collaborative Piano (Years Two and Three): four semesters x 2 MCs - includes piano duos, instrumental duos, chamber music

(8 MC)

Keyboard Literature – four semesters x 1 MC

(4 MC)

Keyboard Pedagogy – one semester x 2 MCs

(2 MC)

Choir – one semester x 2 MCs

(2 MC)

Students admitted to the Conservatory must complete all major, faculty and university requirements in order to graduate.

Conservatory students who wish to take additional elective modules from the university under unrestricted electives may do so. However, the modular credits from these extra electives cannot be used to fulfill the music degree requirements.

All students must complete their individual Applied Study modules to graduate with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree.

3.2.2.2  Second Major in Recording Arts and Sciences

In line with the University’s initiative to introduce Double Major Programmes in NUS, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) offers a Second Major in Recording Arts and Sciences by combining courses in recording arts with the sciences and engineering. In conjunction with their primary major, this second major programme aims to equip students from various schools/faculties with a strong foundation as well as knowledge in key advanced topics in the burgeoning area of recording arts and sciences, and thus better prepare them for career opportunities in engineering and related fields focused on development of audio and music technologies.

Structure of the Second Major

a.   In line with University guidelines, the second major will require students to complete 48 MCs (12 modules) within the following structure:

i.    Completion of the following five compulsory modules:

Foundational Core Modules:

MUA1170 Basic Recording 1
MUA1171 Basic Recording 2
MUA2170 Multitrack Recording 1
MUA2173 Acoustics and Psychoacoustics OR
MUA2174 Musical Acoustics
MUA3270 Architectural Acoustics and Acoustical Measurement

ii.   Completion of the following two Audio Programme Post-Production modules:

MUA3170 Audio Mixing
MUA4170 Audio Mastering

iii.   Completion of the following five new modules which are project-based:

MUA2175 RAS Project 1
MUA2176 RAS Project 2
MUA3175 RAS Project 3
MUA4175 RAS Project 4
MUA4176 RAS Final Project

iv.   At most two modules of the second Major may be double-counted with other programmes.

b.   Students applying for this major must have read H2 Maths and H2 Physics.

c.   The plan is to continue to accept a small intake size of 2-4 students for AY 2012/2013.

d.   Entry into the programme would be based on:

  • •      application by students to YSTCM during their first year of study.
  • •      completion of the modules in (b)
  • •     a live audition to be conducted whenever deemed necessary
3.2.3     Graduation Requirements

Students must read and pass a minimum of 160 MCs before they can be awarded the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree of the University. All modules taken within the Conservatory must be graded. Upon completing all necessary course requirements, students may be awarded a B.Mus. degree classified as follows:

  • First Class Honours
  • Second Class Honours (Upper Division)
  • Second Class Honours (Lower Division)
  • Third Class Honours
  • Pass 

The maximum period of candidature for the Bachelor of Music programme is five years. In addition to satisfying all degree requirements, students are expected to resolve any and all outstanding charges of misconduct and violations of academic ethics with the Academic Office in order to be approved for graduation. 

3.2.4     Leave of Absence

Students must apply for Leave of Absence if they expect to be absent from more than one class. The request needs to be supported with relevant medical documents or letters of invitation (in the case of external engagements). These students MUST seek the approval from the Director of the Conservatory or they will be regarded as being absent without permission and are liable to be withdrawn from school and/or lose entitlement to scholarship. Students should apply to the Director giving sufficient advance notice wherever possible. Students can obtain the Leave of Absence form from the Conservatory office.

Please refer to University’s Leave of Absence for more details on leave application: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/adminpolicy/LOA.html

Undergraduate students on leave of absence for more than one semester must apply to the Conservatory Admissions and Academic Office for re-admission and certification of previously earned credits toward the degree or diploma programme. This process may include re-auditioning and placement tests in specific areas.

3.2.5     Grading System and Regulations

Students are awarded letter grades for the modules read at the Conservatory. The Cumulative Average Point (CAP) is the weighted average grade point of the letter grades of all the modules taken by the students. The grade point for each grade is as follows:

Grade

Point

A+

5.0

A

A-

4.5

B+

4.0

B

3.5

B-

3.0

C+

2.5

C

2.0

D+

1.5

D

1.0

F

0.0

CAP = Sum (module grade point x modular credits for the module) / Sum (modular credits)

Where the module receives no modular credits, non-credit designations are given:

  • S   Satisfactory
  • U   Unsatisfactory  

Students can only declare S/U option on modules taken outside of the Conservatory. All modules taken within the Conservatory must be graded.

3.2.6     Selection Criteria for Dean’s List

In recognition of outstanding achievements in each semester, top students are selected for inclusion on the Dean’s List.

The selection criteria are as follows:

  • 1.    Full-time status in the undergraduate programme. All full-time Conservatory students must be registered for at least 15 MCs per semester.
  • 2.    Semester Average Point (SAP) calculated based on all modules attempted in the semester.
  • 3.    Must not have failed or received a U (Unsatisfactory) grade in any module taken during the semester.

The Conservatory reserves the right to review the criteria for the Dean’s List.

3.2.7     English as a Second Language

First-year international students whose native language is not English are required to sit for the Qualifying English Test. Students who fail this test will be placed in the appropriate class level for required English language instruction. In some cases, students may be required to undertake some intensive classes in English prior to commencement of studies.

3.3        Financial Assistance and Awards

Conservatory Scholarships

For talented students, the Conservatory awards full scholarships based on their performance at the audition and the needs of the school. The scholarships may be renewed on a year-by-year basis for the duration of the student’s degree, depending on the student’s progress, up to a maximum of four years.

Designated Scholarships

Conservatory scholarships are made possible through the generosity of various individuals and organizations. Some scholarships may be named and awarded to outstanding students based on terms specified by the donors, and as recommended by the appropriate faculty and Conservatory administration.

The Conservatory is grateful to all its donors for their contributions which will support the development of faculty and scholarships.

3.4        Performance

3.4.1     Large Ensembles

The Conservatory Orchestra and the New Music Ensemble are the largest student ensembles at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory. Placement auditions are held during the first week of the first semester every year, and are required for all new and returning students. All orchestral majors must be members of at least one of these ensembles. Some students may be assigned to perform in more than one large ensemble.

3.4.2     Chamber Music

The study and performance of chamber music is an essential feature of the Conservatory’s curriculum. Students perform in a wide range of ensemble groups from piano trios, wind quartets and brass quintets to percussion ensembles. Chamber music coaching is provided in all faculties by members of the artist faculty and the T’ang Quartet, the Conservatory’s Quartet-in-Residence.

Chamber music groups have various opportunities to perform at the Conservatory, most commonly in the regular chamber music concerts and in the weekly Monday Noon Recital series.

3.4.3     Noon Recital Series

The weekly Noon Recital Series presents a platform for Conservatory students to perform before their peers and the general public. These campus recitals feature a variety of solo and ensemble performances.

Students intending to perform at Noon Recitals must consult their major instrument teacher on suitable repertoire, performance readiness and performance date before submitting an application to the Concert Office.

All music majors are required to attend all Noon Recital concerts.
Quick Links
Back to Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music main content page
top