Historic Craft Practices - Musical Instruments
If your goal is to set up an instrument-making workshop or to work
in the trade, this programme is internationally respected for the
high level craftsmanship students attain. It encompasses the whole
field of stringed musical instrument making. This enables students
to then transfer their skills to making any stringed musical
instrument, including guitar and violin. Through learning and
assessing the historical approach to constructing the viola da
gamba, students are equipped with a broad knowledge and ability to
assess construction for a wide range of stringed musical
instruments.
You can expect
Learning environment
(Subject to re-validation)
Teaching
You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, external trips and visits and workshop practicals. In addition, you have personal tutorials with your subject tutor.
At level 4 you typically have around 18-19 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
At level 5 you typically have around 16-17 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Overall workload
Level 4: 53% of your time is spent in scheduled
teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 633 hours, Independent learning:
567 hours
Level 5: 50% of your time is spent in scheduled
teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 600 hours, Independent learning:
600 hours
Prograrmme Structure Year 1
Programme Structure Year 2
You will work in the purpose-built Musical Instrument Making workshop. Specialist facilities include a separate machine shop and varnishing room.
Other facilities on site include an Analytical laboratory, computer suite and the Library with thousands of specialist books, journals and databases.
UCAS tariff points:120, completion of a level 3 qualification, for example A-Levels, BTEC, or Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Applicants can be considered if they can provide evidence of prior learning with an appropriate portfolio of work. You will be invited for a portfolio interview.
International applicants should provide a digital portfolio, evidence of English language ability to level B2 (IELTS 6.0) as well as equivalent level 3 qualifications.
UK/EU:
International:
Included is mandatory study trip costs of £400, which typically includes tailored visits to collections/exhibitions of specific interest to the programme of study.
Additional costs
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional, available on request.
Graduates have become professional makers and repairers. They have gone on to work with J & A Beare Ltd and J P Guivier, both in London, and William Monical & Son, Staten Island, New York. Others have ultimately set up their own practice.
Student perspective
"The level of learning is higher here which is why I and many students from Europe come to West Dean College. We're making in an authentic way, using hand tools, learning about materials, looking at original instruments and building a wide knowledge. We've had specialist trips and access to renowned experts.
What I most enjoy is the pure focus on full-time making and all day workshop access. We're all interested in guitars and enjoy the same music, so the workshop is a great environment.
Our tutor is a professional, well-known instrument maker who teaches us methods to maximise productivity, alongside high level skills. When I graduate I will work first in a violin or cello repair workshop, before going into private practice to focus on making and restoration.
Funding made studying at West Dean possible for me and it has been totally worth it. I applied for bursaries in Holland then, in my second year to The Edward James Foundation at West Dean and private foundations in the UK. I advise any student not to be put off by fees as it is all possible."
Fons Vogel, Musical Instruments student
Curatorial Assistant Sarah Hughes shares insights from the college's rich archive of material, shining a light on Edward James musical patronage and collaborations, from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Programme Tutor - Musical Instruments
Shem Mackey is a founder member of the British Violin Making Association (BVMA) and founder editor of its newsletter. His research into instrument construction has been published in The Strad, Early Music and various publications of the BVMA and Viola da Gamba Society.
Programme Co-ordinator FdA Historic Craft Practices
Nick specialises in instruments inspired by Viennese guitars of the early and mid-nineteenth century, including those with extra bass strings, and the mid-twentieth-century guitars of the North American 'golden era' of acoustic guitar making. In recent years his passion has led to him studying the instrument's development and societal history.
If you are interested in applying for this course or would like further information please contact admissions either by enquiring online or calling the number below. To make your application you will need to download and fill out our application form.
Come and see the College in action, meet the tutors and students, and get a feel for the beautiful surroundings at an Open Day:
Friday 7 December 2018
Saturday 9 February 2019
Suitable for Foundation Degree, Diploma and Masters.
Register your place online
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