Course Overview

This course is ideal if you want to find employment in the music industry, or work as a self-employed musician or practitioner in the creative industries. It will help develop your practical and theoretical understanding of a wide range of music styles and improve your performance, composition and production skills.

You can follow one of two pathways. The performance pathway allows you to develop your skills through specialist lessons for music composition, instrumental and ensemble performance in a range of contexts. The technology pathway enables you to develop your production skills in sequencing, sound synthesis, DJ and the use of music technology in performance. You will gain a theoretical understanding of music fundamentals, the music industry and wider music production skills including studio recording, remixing, events management and live sound, across both pathways.

The course also includes training in a range of industry standard software programmes including Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Pro Tools, opportunities to perform regularly at College run music events and the opportunity to release your tracks via the student-run record labels. Work placements and work readiness take place throughout the course to ensure you are ready to progress your studies or enter the workplace.

Topics may include:

• Music fundamentals
• Rehearsal and performance
• Computer-based music composition
• Music video production
• Remixing and production
• The music industry
• Music events management
• Studio recording techniques
• Digital synthesis
• Live sound

Assessment Methods

This course is assessed through coursework with creative practical assignment tasks and an externally assessed controlled assessment. These reflect industry practice and develop fundamental skills that are required for employment in the music industry, including performance projects and coursework assignments.

Progression Options

On successful completion, you could progress to the HND Music Production qualification at University Centre Somerset, a similar course at another university or you could find employment in the entertainment industries at technician or trainee management level.