Music can be profoundly significant for individuals in their daily lives, for politically charged movements, and for entire cultures. This module introduces you to narratives that characterise histories of music across different historical periods, technologies, and styles, and will teach you different ways to ask such questions of music. Through a range of different music, you will look at their histories and the assumptions behind the construction of such narratives, whilst applying ideas derived from core literature to contemporary case studies. 

Step into the recording studio and learn the core skills at the heart of contemporary music production. This is a highly practical module, where you will develop a strong foundation in real and virtual studio engineering; recording skills using professional SSL consoles in bespoke studio spaces; as well as a fluency in software. 

Take centre stage and explore the creative nature of contemporary music performance. Through practical workshops and lectures you’ll perform in a range of different styles and develop productive rehearsal strategies. You will explore core performance techniques and discuss the nature of live performance as it applies to your artistic development. You’ll work towards a portfolio of performances and perform in a variety of contexts, forming your own bands/ensembles or developing craft as a solo musician. 

Through a range Music Industry case studies you will develop an understanding of the workings and business of music, as part of a rapidly evolving landscape. This module will ask you to consider your aspirations as a professional music maker and begin working on a professional portfolio to document your progress, whilst applying ideas derived from core literature to contemporary case studies.

This module will provide you with the ideas, techniques and working practices to realise complete music productions – by creating your own. You’ll investigate and explore recording and mixing technique in and out of the studio to develop your creative approach to the recording studio, whilst exploring what it means to be a music producer. 

Get ready to explore performance traditions and innovations in a variety of settings. You will employ your knowledge of a range of different performance styles and contexts to start shaping your own performance aspirations. Supported by one-to-one instrumental tuition, you will develop proficiency and artistry. Taught primarily through practical workshops this module will explore musical performance in the 21st century and will afford the opportunity to perform collaboratively and work towards a performance (10:00) at a music festival event. 

This module looks at the way in which music has been shaped by the objects we associate with it: instruments, technologies, sound recordings, and notations. You will develop a critical approach to thinking about these objects, which will help you deepen your understanding of the historical context and critical significance of your own music-making activities.

How can technology expand your creative possibilities as a musician? This module explores the skills and tools used in contemporary music production, helping you develop confidence in creating, arranging and refining your own work.

You'll experiment with areas such as remixing, synthesis, sequencing, digital arrangement and mixing, while exploring how technology can enhance your creative practice. Through practical projects and guided activities, you'll develop the technical fluency needed to create music in a range of contemporary contexts.

Discover new ways to make music, develop your production skills, and explore technologies that can support your artistic vision.

Performance takes place in many different settings. You will employ your knowledge of a range of different performance styles and contexts to create a showreel of performances that show variety and command of different spaces. Supported by one-to-one instrumental tuition, you will develop proficiency and artistry. Taught primarily through practical workshops this module will explore session playing, live-in-studio sessions and more.