FD Music Performance & Production

Validated by The Open University, the Foundation Degree in Music Performance & Production is an innovative programme located in purpose-built facilities at Hillsborough Campus. The course offers a highly practical focus and provides the opportunity to develop specialist skills in music performance, production and composition, whilst simultaneously gaining a broader understanding of the industry and the interrelationship between musical disciplines. The course is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, workshops, performances and professional projects, supported by experienced academic staff, professional musicians, producers, studio engineers, performers and high quality, tailored industry support. Students will draw upon critical approaches which underpin effective and professional practice and engage with contemporary thinking both within and beyond their specialist area. The course prepares students for employment, further study and self-fulfilment within a wide field informed by critical, historical, conceptual, and ethical dimensions and their own relationships with audiences, clients, consumers and co-creators, enterprise, industry and markets.

The programme aims to provide skills that:
Cultivate and nurture originality and the development of musical identity
Develop an ability in interpretive and technical skills within composition, performance and productions
Develop an understanding of the music industry, how it functions and how to develop entrepreneurial skills
Develop some analytical and critical awareness of the synthesis between relevant theory and its application in performance, production and composition
Develop the practical skills required to use a variety of It formats and music technology
Gain an understanding of how cultural and social contexts shape significant developments within popular music
Support the development of interpersonal, communication and leadership skills

At Level 4, students will study two modules focusing on practical musicianship; studying the context and elements of composition, popular music, recording and live sound. The modules at Level 5 further develop students' musical and contextual skills with harmony and composition, advanced practical musicianship and music studio production; all of which lead to the development of a composition/songwriting portfolio. You will also study session styles, improvisation and music processes and production.

The Foundation Degree in Music Performance and Production is heavily focused on employability and involves work related learning, live briefs and simulated live briefs. Students work across a range of venues in Sheffield and the surrounding area, engaging in large scale projects involving project management, developing individual portfolios and employability skills.

The course is delivered in purpose built, industry standard setting, comprising of a fully equipped recording studio, production suite, teaching spaces running Logic Pro, Ableton, Reason and CUBASE and 7 fully equipped practice rooms.

The Staff are experienced HEA fellows and practicing musicians, studio and live sound engineers with experience working across Europe as vocalists, recording artists and session musicians.

Formal and informal, group and one-to-one tutorials take place at regular intervals and on a weekly basis throughout the programme. Formal tutorials are documented to include topics discussed, guidance, feedback, support, actions and outcomes. They are also an opportunity to inform members of staff of any personal issues students wish them to know. Group tutorials focus on project work, discussion, progress review and current and future information, given as guidance and feedback. Students are expected to take notes and use this opportunity as reflection and potential areas of progress and development of projects.