The course provides advanced theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and experience across all the key areas of music production.
This one-year programme follows on directly from our HNC in Music Technology. It will enable you to develop advanced, industry-standard skills in music production, studio and live sound-engineering techniques, mixing & mastering, composition techniques and sound design for interactive media. All students will produce their own professionally mixed and mastered EP or album as a part of this course. In addition to these practical elements you will also complete a research-based dissertation on a topic of your own choice.
Teaching staff all have considerable music industry experience and can guide students, depending on whether they wish to pursue a career as a composer, producer or sound engineer, or further their studies with a top-up degree programme.
You will cover a wide range of music production and technology activities. Developing knowledge of all the major software, access to state of the art studio equipment and experience of live sound, studio recording and computer based music. This is a practical course and includes both tutor and student led sessions, performances and theory-based assignments. Level 3 Music Performance & Production is a practical course including a portfolio of production work and theory based assignments. Practical elements include use of audio production facilities, learning industry standard DAW (digital audio software) including Apple Mac & PC software, keyboard lab & Music theory for Production, workshops in schools and supporting gigs in performance venues (both in house and externally) . This course provides an opportunity to compose music, work with and perform at live gigs and work in the professionally equipped Studios . The College has strong links with the local Music Community, Studio & Producers, the Royal & Derngate and the Roadmender. The method of learning is by a mixture of academic and practical sessions.
** on completion of the course, you will achieve a level 3 UAL Diploma or Extended Diploma in Music, Performance and Production
A combination of practical and theory based activities and assignments. This course covers two pathways under one Level 2 Music study programme:
Music Production: This route is designed for students who want to produce their own music using software and recording studio equipment. Students will learn to produce their own tracks using industry-standard music software and a range of other music technology equipment. They will produce tracks as a part of the course assignments. They will also learn about releasing music and will have access to recording studios. Music technology students will also be expected to take part in events and performances.
Music Performance: This route is designed for students who want to become performing musicians. Students will learn to perform as a part of a band and as a solo artist, taking part in gigs and shows as a part of the course assignments. They will also learn about organising events and participating in multi disciplinary arts projects.
Both groups will also develop critical listening skills to support both performance and production disciplines. Contextual project work will also be encountered, including research based study and practical application. Reference to working in the music industry and an understanding of collaborating with other creative art pathways.
The method of learning is a mixture of written work, discussion sessions and practical work. Practical work will be done both individually and in groups. All units are internally assessed through practical performance and written coursework and they are moderated by an external examiner. The final Unit grade determines the overall grade achieved by the student. The coursework and units up to the final assessment are graded at satisfactory pass, high pass and very high pass, and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction level.