Popular Music

You will explore performance, composition, production and music technology on this accredited BA, with a specific focus on popular music. There will be regular opportunities to perform in public.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE? Popular Music is accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES), a consortium of industry professionals that promote excellence in music education. You will study a wide range of subjects, including popular music performance, composition, improvisation, arrangement, song writing, production, music business and management and studio techniques. Expect to perform in public regularly – at our annual music show, at social and formal events and at venues across the city. These experiences will help you learn and grow.

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU? This course is designed for practising musicians who are interested in popular music and who want to understand better, the technical and business aspects of making commercial music.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN There will be around 10 hours of contact with staff a week, including group based learning activities to develop skills on your chosen instrument. The rest of the time you’ll be undertaking your own ‘directed study’, including regular performances.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES. You will discover a superb range of music making facilities, including recording studios that match those found in industry, rehearsal space, music technology labs and three post-production rooms. We also offer a wide range of instruments, amplifiers and outboard gear, together with a classic 48-channel Neve recording console.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY With a balance between composition, technology, performance and critical practice, Popular Music will give you skills suitable for a variety of roles: performer, composer, producer, educator, promoter, publisher, academic, recording studio engineer and freelance musician.