Popular Music Performance and Production (RESONANCE -DUDLEY)

Are you interested in a career as a music performer, songwriter or producer? Would you like to be involved in artist development? Suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians, this course combines creativity and technical learning with in-depth academic and research skills.

In partnership with Solent University, Resonance’s popular music performance and production programme offers a broad range of creative and technical learning in music and production carefully balanced with the acquisition of academic skills involving research and critical thinking. Students will gain experience both specific to the music industry and relevant to other careers.

The course features extensive study of the music industry including copyright, contract law and career pathways. Students are also expected to develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication and project management.

You’ll study in our state of the art industry-standard facilities. Resonance offers industry-quality, full-size recording and production studios giving students a wealth of opportunities to hone your skills and give full rein to your imagination. You will have access to sizeable rehearsal, practice and performance spaces giving you all the room you need to practise and perform as a band. The largest of our performance spaces can even accommodate a large audience

The curriculum is delivered by an experienced course team, many of whom are active industry experts with professional experience in performance, studio and live sound, electronic sound design and the business and culture of music production. All of our Staff are actively engaged industry practitioners.

Thanks to the Resonance’s close links with industry, you will have the opportunity to attend weekly guest lectures from visiting industry professionals. Speakers have recently included: John Waugh (The 1975), Dexter Wansel (Grammy award winning artist), Sheena Sear & Mark Stuart (M2 Studios), Tim Carrol (CEO Focusrite), John Daily (DeFacto Marketing), Richard Taylor (Musical Director for Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Emin, Nile Rogers and many more…), Sam Dorrance (Touring Artist), Brendon Riley (Touring Backline Technician) Steve Smith (Marshall), Creative Technology, Alex Hutchings (Touring Session Musician at Composer), Genevieve Little (Touring Artist), Jamie Franklin (Artist Relations at Roland) and many more…

Resonance is based at the Evolve Campus, part of the Dudley College of Technology estate, situated in the heart of Dudley Town Centre, just over half an hour from Birmingham City Centre. Featuring a combination of established and brand-new, purpose-built facilities that are outstanding, providing everything an ambitious musician, producer, composer, teacher and entrepreneur would need to excel in their studies. Our local live music venues include; Red By Night, KK Steel Works, The Robin 2, Symphony Hall, Birmingham O2

What does this course lead to?

This course may lead to work in diverse areas such as professional performance, songwriting, artist development, live sound, online mixing, sound engineering, teaching and technical support.

Who is this course for?

Resonance’s popular music performance and production course is suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians. Applicants should be interested by both performance and technical production, as well as music history and academic theory.

Applicants should aspire to careers as session musicians, producers, artists, songwriters, music journalists or promoters.