Develop your talent as a musician and performer through the practical and theoretical study of popular music.
On this very practically based programme, you will also have the opportunity to develop extremely useful skills such as recording techniques, live PA mixing, songwriting and arranging – all essential for working in the music industry.
Our course provides a unique opportunity for you to excel in performance while developing a critical mind and becoming an intelligent, multi-skilled musician.
Popular musicians learn in different ways so the course uses accelerated learning techniques to ensure that all students progress in areas of musicianship, making clear links between; performance, context, theory and professional practice. The Department is committed to this holistic method of study, helping you to understand the value in what you are learning as you become confident, creative musicians. As a Department, we also have excellent links with industry professionals and visiting professors.
In the 2020 NSS, Popular Music Performance received 100% for teaching on the course and academic support, and 100% of students agreed that staff had made the course interesting.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Engage in the specialist vocational preparation of professional performance by nurturing and developing the practical skills required for this profession.
This course has an emphasis on practical training, and this embodied knowledge is supported by engagement with theoretical studies. It will prepare you for the dynamic and diverse nature of the industry, giving you opportunities to develop your leadership skills, including directing, choreographing, sound and lighting design, and producing a show.
Why study this course with us?
The Hammond is one of the leading providers of performing arts in the North West and has outstanding facilities and resources, including dance and drama studios, a music suite with recording studio, practice rooms and a 420-seat theatre.
The Hammond is highly respected throughout the world, bringing together extremely talented students in singing, acting and dance.
Our curriculum reflects the nature of work within the theatre, which requires technical competence, artistry and creativity, and will encourage you to develop into an independent, reflective practitioner.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Develop your talent by learning how to record, produce and perform popular music.
Studying on our Music Production and Performance course will provide you with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to become a versatile, intelligent, employable performer and producer. You will also be able to write your own music in the songwriting and composition options.
Why study this course with us?
Being delivered from within the Department of Music, Media and Performance allows students to work with and alongside other performance students, as part of a closeknit,
thriving, creative community. Chester has a strong local music scene with close ties to the Department, and Chester is just a short train ride away from several big cities, including Liverpool and Manchester.
Alongside recording, production, performance and the study of the history of popular music, students have the opportunity to focus on live music technology, music theory and songwriting and composition.
Graduates have gone on to work as songwriters, music promotions managers, recording studio owners, producers, recording engineers and mastering engineers, sound engineers, music teachers and events organisers.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Master the art of Music Production through the exploration of music technology (recording and live), composition, history and theory.
Our Music Production course aims to give you a wide range of practical and transferable skills. You will learn how to become a versatile, intelligent and employable producer, as well having the opportunity to engage with other music-industry-related areas such as songwriting and composition.
Why study this course with us?
Being delivered from within the Department of Music, Media and Performance allows students to work with and alongside music students, as part of a close-knit, thriving, co-operative and creative music community. Chester has a strong local music scene with close ties to the Department, and Chester is close to several big cities, including Liverpool, home to one of the biggest and best UK recording studios outside London and the birthplace of the world’s greatest pop group.
Alongside recording, production and the study of popular music, students have the opportunity to focus on live music technology, music theory and songwriting and composition.
Benefit from professional standard music rehearsal and recording facilities, skilled technical staff, as well as an extensive equipment loan provision.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Covering all aspects of musical theatre skills and opportunities for creating new music theatre, this practice-based course is ideal if you are looking ahead to a career as an on-stage performer or back-stage creative.
Our musical theatre degree includes weekly drama school-style actor training, focussing on all the classic musical theatre skills including acting, singing, dance, ensemble singing and yoga. These developing skills are realised in a full-scale production in each year of the course. In addition to performing in a full-scale musical, you will also take on a production role, including stage management, design, assistant director, hair and makeup, costume, front of house and many more. By both performing and having a production role you take full ownership of your musical theatre production and gain valuable experience across a range of creative roles.
You will also be able to explore your own creativity by co-creating original pieces of musical theatre. Through engagement with a variety of contemporary musical and performance techniques, you will expand your creative frames of reference to develop and understand new ways of combining music and theatre. There are opportunities to work with visiting creatives and performers, including working with a professional director in your third year production.
Inclusivity and community, as well as safe and supportive spaces, lie at the heart of the music theatre course. Together staff and students build and nurture an environment that is thriving with the highest level of training, and develop performers who are individual, unique, professional, and great company members. Personal support and guidance are a key aspect of our delivery to students.
Gain highly practical musical theatre training with a focus on performance work
Develop your musical theatre performance skills and become the best version of yourself
Gain professional musical theatre training with a focus on future career destinations
Key components of the curriculum include:
Perform in full-scale productions, cabaret evenings and workshops of brand-new musicals
Create your own theatrical work and understand every step in the process
Launch your career with a bang and feature on our graduates website
You will also be featured on our online graduate portfolio.
Notable alumni successes include appearances in:
On this course you will:
