FdA Music for the Creative Industries

Year 1

• Creative Industries – develop an appreciation of the creative industries, products and audiences.
• Creative Music Portfolio – create original music, collaboration with other musicians to arrange, realise and perform your creative ideas. You will learn songwriting techniques, how to use music sequencing technology and arranging techniques.
• Live performance project – stage a live performance event in this practical module. Learn rehearsal techniques, stagecraft, live performance techniques, live sound, and lighting. 
• Music analysis and arranging – Develop your critical music listening skills, giving you the knowledge required to produce your own work. 
• Music marketing and promotion – market yourself and events and promote music effectively. You will learn about how artists develop a profile and brand.

Year 2:

• Music Composition Project – Learn compositional techniques for a range of different scenarios. Learn about the building blocks of composition and how to develop musical ideas using a variety of different methods.
• Exploring Solo Performance – Develop your skills as a solo performer and original and creative ways to present a performance. You will learn rehearsal techniques, stagecraft and improve your instrumental/production techniques.
• Music Studio Technology – Learn about studio recording including acoustics, recording techniques, microphone technology, mixing, production techniques and mastering and applying techniques to practical projects to develop professional recordings.
• Collaborative project – A project to give you the skills to work alongside other practitioners from the creative industries in the development and delivery of a professional level project. 

Entry to this course requires 80 UCAS tariff points. T Level qualifications are accepted, a T Level PASS with a minimum of a grade A*-C (equates to 96 UCAS points). Applicants will be invited to an audition and will be expected to play a prepared piece on their first instrument to ensure their playing is at an appropriate level. We also consider individual applicants who can demonstrate relevant learning, work/voluntary experience, using our Recognition of Prior Learning process.

Across the programme a range of assessment formats will be utilised that will reflect the nature of the unit (theory or practical) and to account for different learning styles. This could be in the form of an essay, presentation, performance or portfolio. There will be collaborative work with students from your programme and from other areas of the School. The assessment methods for these projects will be in the form of a finished piece of work that is of a professional standard. This could be in the form of a collaborative performance with an accompanying journal, a recorded song with accompanying music video or short film for which you have composed the score. Critical reflection forms a major part of the assessment for all the modules, with the development of portfolios providing much of the evidence for your reflection of learning and development. This project work allows for formative assessment to be ongoing throughout a module. Your tutors will maintain close contact with you throughout these projects, giving evidence for both formative and summative assessment whilst the module progresses.

The department has significant links and partnerships with many local venues and organisations around the city – this has resulted in us being able to stage gigs and events in professional environments that will enrich your learning experience. These include The Underground, Kala Sangam, Delius Arts Centre and Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue. Graduates of the course have also gone on to work and perform professionally in these venues – the links established on the course have been invaluable in securing this employment.

Students that complete this course should be equipped with the skills to go and work in the Music Industry in their specialist area. Further study is also an option, with progression through to the level 6 Music for the Creative Industries BA (Hons) top-up.

Other Costs: Equipment £100 maximum (optional) (headphone, USB memory stick/hard drive, breakables such as strings/sticks), Trips/visits £500 maximum (optional). For the Work-Based Experience module in Year 2, there may be a requirement to apply for a DBS check if working with children or vulnerable adults as part of the placement. The cost of this will need to be covered by the student and is typically between £20 and £40.

This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.