Music

Music encompasses a broad range of academic study, a vibrant performance culture, and opportunities to develop strengths in many areas including historical musicology, music theory and analysis, sound studies, composition, and performance.

LMH has a strong tradition of music in study and practice. The College provides a number of pianos for individual use by music students in their own rooms, and also possesses four grand pianos housed in public rooms, which are available for practice. Concerts and recitals are held regularly in the Simpkins Lee Theatre, Talbot Hall, and the Chapel.

An Organ Scholarship is offered to undergraduates reading Music and may be available to students reading a few other subjects. Choral scholarships are awarded on audition to undergraduates and graduate students in residence. There is a flourishing College Music Society that organises music events throughout the year. 

AAA. More information on other requirements, how to apply, and a typical week can be found here and here. Visit the website of the Faculty of Music.

Music alumni from LMH have pursued successful careers in media (e.g. BBC Radio Three Music programmes producer); arts administration (including for major choirs, orchestras and concert venues including Wigmore Hall); teaching in various sectors; publishing; conducting; performing; and composing for film and television.

Music making outside the music degree itself is vibrant in Oxford. From Oxford University Music Society orchestras such as the OUO, to musical theatre and opera, there really is something for everyone, despite the cliché. For the Classical enthusiast, there are full orchestras and chamber orchestras. There is a range of brass bands, period ensembles, and other more unusual ensembles – OxLork is the University's first laptop orchestra!  For singers, colleges have their own chapel choirs with varying levels of standard and LMH’s is a friendly, non-auditioning chapel choir but with auditions for choral scholarships, giving a chance to singers keen to lead their section; other singing groups include a cappella such as the Alternotives and Out of the Blue. 

The music degree at Oxford is one of the most varied and flexible courses. The range of topics is extraordinary and offers very specialised topics in finals (‘FHS’) as well as giving a strong foundation in the first year (‘Prelims’). One-to-one tutorials are with incredibly supportive LMH tutors, experts in their fields, as well as from colleges across the university, particularly when balancing extracurricular activities. 

Kathy Chalmers, Music 2016

Studying music at LMH has been invaluable in developing my all round musicianship. Alongside the rigorous and varied academic programme I am able to sing the sacred polyphony I’ve studied in choir, perform the preludes and fugues I’ve analysed, and enjoy music of every kind at the LMH Music Society concert series.

Hannah Culver, Music 2017

For me, an important part of what makes Music at LMH special is the intake of four students per year: this limits the student-tutor ratio so that no-one feels their professor’s time and focus on their particular studies and needs is spread too thin. This number also means that there are just enough students per year to form a special bond that encourages fruitful discussion of material and ideas, a support system that keeps us going through the more difficult weeks, and a diversity of specialties to create and work together on a number of high-calibre musical projects — both as part of the curriculum and around it. We are a truly close-knit group both in and out of classroom. 

I have never felt that I was out-of-touch with my tutors here, and they are always aware of the work I am undertaking so as to offer advice when it is needed.

Sultan Kara, Music 2017

I have really enjoyed and valued the small size of the yearly intake of music students – accepting just three has meant I’ve really gotten to know both my course-mates and our tutors in a much more personal way than if we were in a bigger group. I have also loved the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is so much part of LMH as a whole, but means that within tutorials interesting discussion flows freely and without reservations.

Zak Thomas Johnson, Music 2017