This degree is a unique blend. It is designed for students whose ambition is to develop a career as a singer-songwriter, so your studies will cover singing, songwriting, music production and the music business.
The programme is highly practical, with a strong emphasis on one-to-one training, and we make sure you have regular opportunities to perform in public.
By the time you graduate you’ll already have your own back catalogue of songs, and you will have proven your worth on stage and in showcase performances laid on for the industry’s talent spotters.
Intensive and Practical
This programme’s aim is to develop independent, imaginative and creative singers/ songwriters/performers to the point where they can rely on their talent and understanding of the music business to be able to make a successful career.
We will not prescribe any style or genre of popular music – that’s up to you, because your voice and approach is unique, and your best chance of success is to develop as an individual creative artist.
The programme gives you all the key skills required, it teaches you how to go about developing creative material and refining the individual brand that can help you launch your professional career.
Learning the Business
But the creative practice we offer you is only part of the story. A professional performer needs a solid foundation in the nature of the music business and how it works. That’s why our course gives you the best of mainstream music education and a modern entrepreneurial focus on the world of opportunities for performing as a singer.
To underpin that, the programme has outstanding links with important international music organisations, including record labels, promoters and producers. These are the critical relationships that can help to facilitate your move to being a professional in the music industry
Core Studies
Singing (one-to-one tuition and ensemble)
Musicality (including the development of a second instrument)
The History of Popular Music
Songwriting
Music Technology and Recording
Performance
Music Business and Management
The programme focuses on supporting its students in developing creative material and an individual brand to help them launch their professional career. Music Business focuses on helping the student develop understanding, strategies and material so they `are empowered to develop and manage their own career.
The programme has outstanding links with international music organisations (record labels, promoters, producers and others) .
Future Prospects
Graduates from the BA (Hons) Popular Music - Vocal Performance programme will have the key skills required for a genuine career in singing, songwriting and production. You will have developed your flexibility and imaginative power, and your ability to spot and seize opportunities across the range of entertainment and commercial performance.
The degree will also allow you to progress to further postgraduate/Master degree studies in Europe and the USA.
Who Is the Programme For?
The BA (Hons) Popular Music – Vocal Performance programme is designed for creative and ambitious singers who are committed to gaining and sustaining a career in music performance and creation.
To be awarded a place on the Popular Music programme applicants will need to demonstrate a strong singing voice (the programme does not specify a particular style) and an understanding of their own aspiration as a performer. Additionally we look for creativity and imagination, passion and determination and importantly, openness to learning and experimentation.
