Music Performance

UCAS code: X372

Here's what Leicester College says about its Music Performance course.

This two-year foundation degree gives you an excellent grounding of a variety of topics to spark your creativity and skills relevant to a career as a performing musician. You will gain invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience which will develop familiarity into this fun and vibrant industry.

This foundation degree in Music Performance, awarded by De Montfort Universityis an industry-facing programme offering tuition and training in a wide range of themes relevant to the performing musician seeking a career in the industry. Develop expertise in music performance, composition, song-writing and production via a range of industry-standard projects and academic work. You will work closely with related disciplines such as dance, acting and music technology and be taught by industry active professionals, use specialised equipment to learn and complete vital work skills.

Applicants should have a strong applied understanding of music theory, performance and other disciplines required by this sector. Develop vital industry skills through the work-based aspect of the degree reinforcing individual subject specialisms in commercial environments including session musicianship, studio recording, music production and composition for Film and TV.

The programme offers access to well-equipped rehearsal spaces, performance areas and recording studios. Leicester College is an Apple Pro Training Centre, a Roland Academy and an Ableton certified Training Centre.

On completion of this Foundation Degree, you will have the choice of being able to top-up to a BA degree in Music, Performance, and Technology at De Montfort University. You may also apply to other universities to complete related degrees. Alternatively, you may choose to go directly into employment in the music or performing arts industry.

Year 1: Instrument and Technique: Develop technical skills and musical insight as a solo performer. Learning is supported by lessons with one of our professional instrumental/vocal teaching staff. Study the evolution and development of either their instrument or the signature vocal sound of chosen genre. Lectures and independent study will inform learning. You will have access to a variety of masterclasses and workshops. Performance Ensembles: Designed to help you gain a range of key musical skills. Study playing in ensembles and improve aural awareness, as well as learning how to critique your own music-making and performances of others. You will be able to plan, promote and execute a successful showcase that meets the expectations of the audience. Music Theory and Composition: Discover basic principles of contemporary music. Unlock the compositional and stylistic elements of different musical genres and illustrate and demonstrate the concepts on the keyboard or a second instrument. Music Business: Looks at the business and industry and and how its components rely heavily on individual skills; music makers need to be aware that their own skills in this area are the major driving force behind their success. Sound Creation Manipulation: Explores different music software types and the set-up of a modern Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Explores theoretical and practical issues of recording and gives you a contextual grounding and experience in the development of electronic music. Studio Recording: Develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and techniques of audio recording and production. Work in modern recording studios and investigate the factors affecting sound quality in the recording process. Live Sound Technology: Develop knowledge of performance arts. Work in a commercial/public-facing venue in the Leicester to help build your knowledge and develop technical skills through a range of related disciplines. Year 2: Advanced Instrumental Technique: Building upon the first year module, further develop your individual musicianship. You will be taught by professional musicians, who introduce you to the advanced skills of your instrument or vocal technique. Popular Musicology: Study, analyse and critique approaches to contemporary popular music. Explore the aesthetics of popular music and also study its social and cultural importance. Learn how advances in technology have shaped the way in which music is created and produced. Songwriting Arrangement: Develop your songwriting skills by exploring a range of advanced compositional techniques. Studying a wide range of styles and genres, you will explore identity and authenticity in contemporary songwriting and learn collaborative techniques and approaches. Assessment will be through a portfolio of own creative work and a final collaborative project. Performance Technology: Develop awareness of how technology can be creatively integrated into a musical performance. It involves study of hardware and software currently being used events as well as examining the way in which contemporary artists employ technology. It provides an opportunity to combine the areas of hardware and software knowledge to stage your own performance where technology plays a central role. Creative Entrepreneurship: Work in negotiated industry placements to create a work-based portfolio. You are encouraged to pursue a pathway that is relevant to both the course and your own career. Sound and Vision: You will be introduced to the theoretical and practical elements of producing music and sound for a variety of media applications. Explore the production of audio for a website, multimedia and synchronised visual works. Research: Provides you with a broad range of research skills that will be used to develop and support a variety of practical and theoretical applications. Develop research skills in an academic context and complete of a piece of independent research.

You will be set regular assessments which will be used to engage you in a range of activities for each module and we will provide you with supportive feedback. At this stage, no formal grading takes place that counts towards either a mark for the module or the overall programme. The feedback given to you in relation to your progress will highlight your strengths, weaknesses and potential attainment in relation to the learning outcomes identified, which will help you develop your skills throughout the course.

You will also be asked to submit a piece of course work that is graded and counts towards your final mark for the module and overall programme. Each module may contain one or two assessment components.

The final grade on your DMU certificate at the end of this course follows the standard university Foundation Degree classification system of distinction, merit or pass.