Creative Music Industry (Performance)

This course can be combined with two A Levels and an Extend course to make a full programme.

If you already have performing experience and would like to consolidate your musical skills in a practical, industry relevant way, then this course is ideal. 

Course content will include preparing for and performing at a range of assessed gigs with a specific focus on original material and song writing.

What topics will I study? 

Year 1 units of study:

• Music performance techniques
• Live music workshop
• Composing music

These units are largely practical, but each has an element of research and written work which must be completed to attain the unit grade. Alongside these units you will also study Music Theory.

Year 2 units of study:

• Song writing techniques
• Solo performance
• Working and developing as a musical ensemble

You will:

• Take part in performances culminating in a final performance
• Focus specifically on writing and developing original material
• Study practical units which focus on developing collaborative skills, ensemble skills and creative musicianship
• Study aural skills and music theory which provides the underlying knowledge and skills required to work in the music industry
• Undertake a recording project in the second year

This course can be combined with 2 A Levels and an Extend course to make a full programme. It goes particularly well with A Level Music.

Assessment is by written and practical coursework. 

Next steps:  Many students who complete this course progress to university to study subjects such as popular music and song writing.

Entry requirements: Eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths). A good intermediate performance standard is required on an instrument or voice (at equivalent to grade 4/5). You will do a short solo performance in the first week in which you will demonstrate an appropriate level of technical skill and musicality. Singers are strongly advised to learn the piano or guitar. You must also have a good basic understanding of music notation – you do not need to be able to read music fluently, however, you must know basic pitch (notes) and rhythm notation.

Our purpose built Centre for Music and Performance includes recording studios, rehearsal suites and performance area. Individual instrumental/vocal tuition for Music Academy Students (click here to find out more about our Music Academy).

There are some costs of materials and resources.

Music Academy students wishing to specialise further and develop their instrumental/vocal skills are able to access subsidised individual instrumental/vocal tuition via the Music Academy.