What's involved?

This redesigned course builds on the HNC, further developing your acting skills and giving you the opportunity to perform in two large scale productions at professional venues with designated Tech crews. As part of the updating of this course, we are introducing a new Work Placement unit allowing you to apply your skills in a professional setting. You’ll also devise your own pieces and perform them to audiences in professional environments.

We’ll do everything we can to get you ready for the industry, including arranging professional head shots for your CV/biography, and helping you prepare for auditions.

Here’s more on what you’ll be doing:

- You’ll focus on acting, voice and movement, developing your skills and techniques to a high level.
- You’ll expand your production skills, and research, rehearse and perform a role in different styles of plays.
- You’ll explore different theatre styles, including historical context, social or political functions, staging, costume and acting conventions.
- You’ll look at devising theatre, including how scripts are created for live theatre and will prepare a piece of original theatre as part of a group.
- You’ll develop your directing skills.
- You’ll focus on professional development for actors and the knowledge and skills you’ll need for working in the industry. This includes areas for employment, methods of self-promotion, taxation requirements, representation and professional bodies.

What's involved?

This course has a hugely successful history of gaining student employment.

It gives you access to industry standard equipment and software in studio, sound reinforcement and gaming audio, including Ableton and Native Instruments.

We’re also one of only a few colleges to offer the internationally recognised gaming audio certification via Avid PT 130.

Some students will have the opportunity to undertake Certified Pro Tools courses. (Please ask us for more information on this.)

Here’s more on what you’ll be doing:

- You’ll gain in depth knowledge in sound production theory and practice, including advanced microphone and synchronisation techniques, and how to undertake complex recording tasks.
- You’ll expand on your knowledge of digital audio theory, including analogue to digital conversion and vice versa.
- You’ll learn how to use a digital audio workstation for recording and manipulating audio and MIDI signals.
- You’ll develop skills in advanced studio techniques, including multi-track recording, mixing and mastering.
- You’ll extend your knowledge of sound reinforcement technologies, including techniques for system equalisation.
- You’ll look at management and legal issues in the audio and sound production industries, including contracts and intellectual property.
You’ll also have the opportunity to:

- Gain professional studio experience and live sound work experience. Previous student placements have included Celtic Connections, Gorbals Sound Studio Glasgow, King’s Theatre Glasgow, well-known music venues such as the O2 ABC in Sauchiehall Street, and local pubs and clubs.
- Work within our own record label, Sun Turtle Records, and help artists record and release original music.
- Practise your skills through free access to the studio during the day when it’s not in use.

This course will prepare you extremely well for accessing a BEd in Music (Teacher) course or for starting your career in the music industry, either in professional recording or as a session/touring musician. It will push you creatively and prepare you professionally to get you fully ready for the next stage in your musical journey.

You’ll spend one day a week rehearsing at the Berkeley 2 Studios in Glasgow (http://www.berkeley2.co.uk/) and will perform regularly including

- Live gigs in the college theatre, and local pubs and clubs around Ayrshire
- Outdoor gigs, such as Jam at the Dam in Ayr
Here’s some of what you’ll be doing:

- You’ll continue to improve your live performance skills, developing a high level of proficiency and professionalism
- You’ll extend your skills in songwriting, moving onto more advanced elements
- You’ll develop your composition skills, broadening your technique and learning about composing for the visual arts such as film, games or theatre
- You’ll extend your knowledge of recording techniques, looking at multi-track recording
- You’ll extend your skills in music theory
- You’ll experience what it’s like to be a session musician, including creating musical parts while working under pressure
- You’ll look at the impact of digital technology on the music industry and how it affects production, distribution, marketing and consumption
You’ll have the opportunity to:

- Take part in regular masterclasses with professional musicians
- Pitch to record and release your own material via our record label Sun Turtle Records
- Take part in community based projects such as Tam Fest and OCMBA (Organised Community Based Musical Activity) such as working with school pupils or older people
- Volunteer at local schools, such as running guitar workshops
- Go busking!