BA (Hons) Popular Music, Songwriting and Performance.

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of music theory, allowing you to become familiar with a range of songwriting approaches and techniques. You’ll focus on melodic form, harmonic structure, rhythm and meter and different arrangement techniques. These musical elements will be explored across a variety of genres of popular music with analysis of key artists and songwriting teams. The skills of lyric writing will also be explored through analysis, with case studies utilised to identify innovative practice in this key element of popular music songwriting.

Assessment: Online exam, composition and portfolio practical. 40 credits.

This module will focus on the development of practical skills in environments where live musical performances are staged. You will develop skills through practical workshops in our venue, which will focus on the technical aspects of live performance such as the use of PA systems, sound reinforcement, backline and control of front of house and monitoring systems. You will also explore the different types of microphones and their different on-stage applications. The module will also cover performative aspects in a live environment building your knowledge of effective stagecraft and performance skills.

Assessment: A practical performance and written evaluation. 20 credits.

This module will introduce students to recording techniques in a studio environment. Microphone types and uses will be explored in detail, as will specific recording technologies, both hardware and software. Students will learn signal paths and audio routing within the studio, and develop safe working practices within the recording studio.

Assessment: Practical signal path test and recording. 20 credits.

This module will emphasise the study of popular music in relation to its social, political and cultural contexts. Different case studies and musical texts will be explored and analysed to determine external factors on songwriting and production techniques. The influence of technology will be explored across popular musical genres and styles within the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.  Critical listening and techniques for textual analysis will be utilised alongside contextual study skills to develop essential skills for the understanding theories of popular music.

Assessment: Presentation and written essay. 20 credits.

Through a variety of lectures, workshops, case studies and tutorials students will engage with a range of subjects related to the various sectors of the music industry, such as record labels, copyright, marketing and promotion. This module will combine a range of themes and topics connected to current development of the music industry, establishing a context for emerging trends and established business practices.

Assessment: Written report. 20 credits.

Focusing on the further development of songwriting skills and production techniques, this module will consolidate students’ understanding of music theory, continuing the study of the use of melodic forms, harmonic structure, rhythm/meter and arrangement techniques. Production values and techniques will also be discussed from a range of popular music genres and styles, and continued analysis of significant artists and songwriting teams.

Assessment: Composition, demo pitch and portfolio. 40 credits.

In this module you’ll develop your own live performance style and utilise specific performative techniques. You’ll also learn about the different technical requirements and staging for a variety of performance styles. You’ll study effective technical planning strategies including call sheets, technical riders and stage plots. You’ll also look at the use of secondary assets in a performance setting such as lighting, projects and props.

Assessment: A practical performance and technical specification. 20 credits.

This module is focussed on effective use of specific production techniques connected to genre, style and intended production values. You’ll develop your technical skills and theoretical knowledge to produce effective audio mixing in both analogue and digital domains.

Assessment: Presentation and applied production techniques practical. 20 credits.

In this module students will learn about the importance of self-representation in the field of professional musicianship and the creative industries. Students will study and analyse a variety of materials to discuss, focusing on marketing and promotion, digital content creation and social media.

Assessment: Creation of promotional pack. 20 credits.

In this module students will have the opportunity to identify a specific topic reflecting their own particular interests and practice.

Assessment: Essay or part essay/part practical. 20 credits.

This module will focus on songwriting and arrangement skills alongside applied production techniques. Continuing the study of the use of melodic forms, harmonic structure and rhythm/meter, bringing their knowledge to create their own original compositions.

Assessment: A production portfolio and written commentary.

This module will focus on the study of key contemporary and historical practice across a range of performance venues and cultures. Students will analyse a variety of practitioners and performers as well as build their knowledge of different performance theories and strategies. They’ll also study event programme and technical management of live performances.

Assessment: Technical specification and performance. 20 credits.

In this module students will consolidate their learning from the past two years, applying it to pre and post production workflows, facilitating the creation of professional standard recordings made in the studio.

Assessment: Production portfolio and written commentary. 20 credits.

Exposing you to the range of career opportunities across the creative industries, you’ll gain a range of key skills relevant to entrepreneurship and self-employment. Concentrating on preparing you for work as soon as you graduate, this module will help you understand how different businesses function in the creative industries, and how you can find your place as a professional artist within it.

Assessment: Project proposal and negotiated project. 20 credits.

This self-guided module puts you in charge. You’ll define your dissertation topic in an area of your interest. Under the guidance of your tutor, you’ll create a regularly updated work plan, analyse primary and secondary data and complete an extended essay.

Assessment: 4000 word essay. 20 credits.