Popular Music

UCAS code: W341

Here's what Hereford College of Arts says about its Popular Music course.

Follow in the tradition of some of the UK’s greatest musicians and start your creative music career at an art school. We nurture students to develop their own voice and practice and then connect them to the ever expanding opportunities in the world.

It’s a well-known secret that some of the greatest musicians studied music at arts school. Some of our best-known original thinkers and innovators have developed their musical creativity in an inspiring environment that allowed them to think differently. At HCA we support you to do the same. We’ll support you to be musically curious, to break down barriers and amaze yourself with your own daring. In a collaborative environment of like-minded individuals, in a community that allows you to develop at your own pace due to small group tuition. We give you the opportunity to discover your authentic voice while studying a wealth of musical styles. Music at HCA will equip you with the skills and experience to allow you to enter the industry on a professional level: as a performer, songwriter, event producer, soundtrack designer, to name a few.

Popular music at HCA is a vocational course designed for performers, songwriters and producers who wish to graduate with all the creative skills, knowledge and experience needed to have a successful career in the music industry. From mainstream to underground, this degree embraces music in its many forms – from rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz and to the experimental. Study on an industry-focused program in an inspiring art school environment

Industry Links

Herefordshire has a vibrant community of musicians, producers, recording studios, venues, music festivals and community music outlets that contribute to an exciting live scene. The course will enable you to connect with the rich music ecology within the city and the wider region.

After this Course

This dynamic, innovative, industry-facing course is designed for students whose ambition it is to work in the music industry. Throughout your journey at HCA you will have the opportunity to develop innovative ways of achieving a portfolio of skills that are relevant to employment opportunities within music and the allied creative industries. Career destinations of a BA (Hons) graduate might include performing, producing, song writing and the wider creative industries such as digital marketing, live event management and publishing.

Highlights

• You will be taught by a strong team of industry focused lecturers combined with regular masterclasses from professionals that are designed to educate, stimulate, and motivate.
• Access to rehearsal rooms, acoustically designed and fully equipped. Whether it be high-end digital or retro analogue, you will be able to produce and create a diverse range of professional sound recordings.
• Develop an expertise in a business relevant to your musical interest and discover opportunities for industry based internships and graduate placements.
• Small class sizes provide highly personalised levels of supervision and support. This will enable you to develop your own specialist practice you need for working within this dynamic sector.
• Opportunities to collaborate with other creatives in a dynamic arts school environment.

From your first day at HCA you will work as a creative, developing your skills and your own voice through a series of projects. You will develop your creative practice, practical skills alongside your critical awareness and theoretical knowledge. You will study a range of modules that build your knowledge and confidence and total 120 credits each year.

YEAR ONE/Level 4: Live Performance Workshop (40 Credits), Popular Music Culture & Identity 1 (20), In The Studio (40) , Song writing Studies (20).

YEAR TWO/Level 5: The Creative Musician (40), Popular Music Culture & Identity 2 (20), Music Events & Promotion (40), Sound & Vision (20).

YEAR THREE/Level 6: Specialist Practice (40), Practice in Context (20), In The City (20), Professional Portfolio (40).