A.R. Rahman’s Music Conservatory announces admission into its prestigious Diploma
Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman’s (Slumdog Millionaire) world famous KM Music Conservatory has opened admissions for its prestigious Diploma Course starting next year. Students in this program will undergo “rigorous training” in music that provides students with the skills and techniques to understand and perform a variety of musical styles. Majors being offered in this four-semester long Diploma include Piano, Western Voice & Hindustani, Western Flute, Violin, Cello, Conducting, Composition, and Music Technology. Course of study includes Western Music Theory & History, Music Appreciation, Sight-singing, Choir, Private Instruction in Primary Instrument, Audio Engineering, Ear Training, Folk Tradition, Background Score, and Composition/Theory. Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged other renowned musicians of India to open more such conservatories to nurture and channelize the abundant musical talent of India and to showcase the richness of Indian music, elements of whose theory were first found in ancient Hindu scripture Sama-Veda. Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Federation, applauding Rahman for conservatory, urged him to not refuse talented students who could not afford the tuition and provide them scholarships. Conservatory is reportedly also planning to launch two-year Masters Program concentrating on Music Technology, Music Education, Music Performance, and Composition. It is also proposing to start “Diploma in Indian Music and Music Technology”—a year long program concentrating on Carnatic Music and Hindustani Music. Conservatory will also teach entertainment icon Michael Jackson as a subject, according to reports. Conservatory already offers Preparatory Program (2-5 years), Foundation Program (1-2 years), and Degree Program (three years) under affiliation of Middlesex University in United Kingdom (UK). Many faculty members have degrees from USA and UK. Sound editor Joe E. Rand (Titanic) has lectured here besides demonstration by Vienna Chamber Orchestra. Founded by Rahman (who is also its Principal), KM Music Conservatory in Kodambakkam area of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state of India envisions expanding the horizon of musicians in India by offering education in both Indian and Western music besides music technology and its mission is to provide students with a strong artistic, intellectual, and technical foundation. T. Selvakumar is the Managing Director of this international school of music and music technology whose tagline is "Become the Future of Music". Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras'' by Time magazine. Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”. -- regards, Vithur
