BA (Hons)Music Performance and Production

Core modules

Music Performance 1

This module focuses on the essentials of performance. In order to progress swiftly as a musician, you must practise and rehearse efficiently. Alongside this, whether you are working on solo or group projects, on cover versions or original material, you need to develop an understanding of how popular music works in all its forms.

Digital Music Production and Composition 1

This module will teach you everything you need to know to compose and produce tracks from start to finish. These techniques are obviously invaluable for careers within composition and production. Equally importantly, this module will teach you to understand music on a deeper level.

Aural Skills and Theory

This module will help you develop the language to communicate musical ideas. You will learn how to describe and analyse songs and musical productions. Everything you learn may be applicable at some point in your future musical career. The knowledge gained will be particularly helpful when you are exchanging musical ideas or collaborating with other musicians.

Music Performance 2

Building on the knowledge and techniques developed in Music Performance 1, this module continues the focus on the essentials of performance with a greater emphasis on instrumental/vocal skills and techniques. Whether you are working on solo or group projects, on cover versions or original material, you need be expected to apply skills from Music Performance 1 and work in a more creative and independent manner.

Introduction to Studio Production

This module introduces multitrack music recording and mixing, equipping students with the grounding in core skills for the course. Students gain fluency and confidence in the basics of operating a recording studio.

Music Business Essentials

This module offers an introduction to key elements of the music business ecology, including the many job roles and businesses that exist within the contemporary music industries, and the challenges and opportunities related to them. The focus is on the activities of record companies, music publishers, and music distributors.

Core modules

Music Performance 3

Building on the knowledge and techniques developed at Level 4, this module continues the focus on the essentials of performance with a greater emphasis on reflective practice. Whether you are practising on your own, or rehearsing with an ensemble it is vital that you link technical exercises and rehearsal methods directly to performance improvement. In order to do this you need to be able to reflect upon and evaluate the effectiveness of your practice methods.

Advanced Studio Recording 1

You will learn to understand mix techniques and methods at a higher level to help you craft more engaging, lasting mixes.

Music Performance 4

Building on the knowledge and techniques developed in Music Performance 3, this module continues the focus on the essentials of performance with a greater emphasis on instrumental/vocal skills and techniques enabling you to continually improve the quality of your performances.

Advanced Studio Recording 2

The complex mix of technical and creative skills makes music production a unique challenge. In this module you will explore how those seemingly different skillsets combine and complement each other.

Making Money from Music

In this module we will introduce you to the many ways that artists and companies can make money within the music and entertainment industries. You will also learn how to plan projects, secure funding, manage copyrights and evaluate financial data.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Songwriting Techniques

This module will help you develop and enhance your skills in songwriting and will allow you to develop your musical identities through a wide range of songwriting tasks.

Introduction to Experimental Music Performance

You will explore the creative dynamics of existing sound performances and recordings. You will investigate alternative approaches to music making by exploring experimental techniques that draw from creative music practices.

Creative Sound Design

In this module you will expand your musical thinking into the world of film sound design. Whether through music or sound effects, films rely heavily on sound added post production; this module gives you the chance to develop skills required for sound in visual media.

DJing

In this module, you will study the essentials of DJing and will look at how ‘DJ culture’ relates to the music industry in general, with an emphasis on the manipulation and mixing of music and sound. You will be encouraged to adopt a progressive and innovative approach to the art of DJing, and to explore the way that DJ-related technology has become a musical instrument in its own right. Hands-on experience will be an essential component of the module. You will also learn to research and critically evaluate music for playback within your sets.

Music, Politics and Society

This module focuses on the intersections between music, politics and society, addressing such questions as the following. How do musicians, activists and politicians make use of music to promote a range of personal, social and political causes and movements? How do the lyrics and music of songs work to engage their audiences, and can they bring about societal understanding and change? How might organisations and governments seek to control the use of music through censorship?

Music and Sound for Film

In this module, you will study the basics of creating original music, sound design and recording Foley for film. Topics covered will include traditional music practices, and how these can be combined with contemporary music production techniques to produce appropriate music that will support specific visual media platforms.

Core modules

Advanced Music Production

As well as advanced production techniques such as mastering, this module will examine how you can solve practical production problems and present your findings in a video or interactive format designed to train others.

Artist Development

As you prepare for life beyond University, it is essential that you continue the alignment of your practical music skills and artistic identity with potential portfolio careers. In order to promote yourself and develop income streams you will need to be fully prepared for high-pressure interviews and/or auditions. Building on skills developed at Levels 4 and 5 you’ll be encouraged to take your expertise to the next level.

Advanced Music Performance

This module brings builds on all the skills and learning developed in the Live Performance and Studio Performance modules at Levels 4 and 5. Advanced styles of critique, enquiry and analysis are introduced, and the meaning of ‘advanced performance’ is further unpicked.

Final Major Project

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to conduct a self-managed project of significant scale and complexity to support your Honours award.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Songwriting Portfolio

This module will help you develop your own musical identity through the execution of a negotiated individual songwriting project. You will also investigate contemporary and traditional practices used to successfully write songs across different genres. This will put you firmly in control of your career as both artist and songwriter.

Experimental Music Production

The module develops and enhances student skills in music production by exploring the creative manipulation of sound, and alternative approaches to music making. If you want to challenge the usual habits and conventions in music production, this module will guide and inspire you.

Surround and Spatial Mixing

You will experience recent and emerging technological developments including 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The issues in mixing music and film sound will be examined and you will learn how to achieve effective mixes in these formats.

Festival Cultures

This optional module focuses on the culture of music festivals, drawing attention to the historical development of different forms of outdoor event and the stereotypes and expectations that we associate with them.

Copyright, Publishing and Sync

This module gives you an up-to-date understanding of how copyright, publishing and sync operate. It also considers how artists and companies can negotiate the ever-developing digital environment.

Experimental Music Production

The module develops and enhances student skills in music production by exploring the creative manipulation of sound, and alternative approaches to music making. If you want to challenge the usual habits and conventions in music production, this module will guide and inspire you.

Live Sound Technology

Within this module we look to highlight AI’s direct or indirect influence upon this subject area, both currently and in its potential future. Where and when applicable, we may utilise AI tools to practice techniques and critique results.

Advanced Mixing and Mastering

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skill-set to be able to mix and master compositions/tracks to a professional standard, across a range of music genres. You will be encouraged to take a professional approach for the practical musical output, your work befitting the standards of the music industry.