This two-year course has pathway options for either music performance and production, or a specialist route solely in music production; all taught in our state-of-the-art music centre. On both pathways you will develop technical knowledge and understanding of how to create music, from initial planning through to final production. You’ll get hands-on with projects in music studio production, live event management, group performance, and music and sound for film and TV. You’ll learn about all the employment opportunities available in the music industry. You will be taught by passionate tutors and guest lecturers, both with extensive industry experience, who will encourage you to broaden your skillset to be an employable, all-round, modern musician/music technologist. You will be assessed through written and performance-based assignments.
Units:
Music performance and production route – Year 1
– The music industry
– Creating musical material
– Performing as an ensemble
– Using musical styles
Music production route – Year 1
– The music industry
– Creating musical material through production
– Music technology and live events
– Studio recording
Year 2 – both routes
– Collaborative group project
– Personal music project (including self-promotion in the music industry)
Work placement opportunities:
BBC radio, UK music festivals, recording studios
Progressing to: Higher education, apprenticeship, or jobs such as professional session musician, live sound engineer, or songwriter
Aspirational careers: Record Label Manager, Live Event Manager, Radio Producer, Performing Artist, Composer for Film & TV
4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English or maths and ideally a GCSE or level 2 music qualification. You will also be required to audition or provide a recorded portfolio.
Resources – You will have access to our extensive range of musical instruments and equipment. However, we recommend that you have your own set of headphones (with a mini-jack connection) and that guitarists bring their own instrument into college for rehearsal sessions, including plectrums, capo, strap and tuner. Drummers should have their own drum sticks too. You will go on trips to local music venues to perform, and visit recording studios for hands-on learning experiences. You will also visit universities for worskhops and have guest speakers from the music industry and universities come into college to enrich your learning and help you decide on your future progression and career aims.
