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BTEC National Extended Diploma in Music (Popular)

Course code: BMP

Level:

Availability: Day Course

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Summary

This is a two-year, full-time course which will lead to a BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Music and a BTEC level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music Technology, which is the equivalent to 4 A levels and is suitable for musicians from the popular tradition.

Requirements

• At least five GCSEs at grade C or above to include English Language (Maths and Music are useful but not essential)
• Skill in playing your instrument or in singing (all students will be auditioned to assess their suitability for the course)

Course Content

The course is split into four key areas:

• Music Performance
• Music Business
• Music Technology
• Music History and Theory

Units studied include:

Year 1

• Solo music performance (assessment includes a 15 minute recital)
• Ensemble performance
• Music history
• Marketing and promotion
• Contemporary song writing (including music theory)
• Music performance techniques
• Aural perception skills
• Arranging
• World music
• Recording techniques
• Sequencing

Year 2

• Major music project
• Music and society
• Music industry
• Freelance musician
• Music theory
• Specialist subject (option)
• Jazz improvisation
• Session styles
• Mixing and mastering techniques

What else do I need to know?

The School of Music is housed in a purpose-built suite of rooms. There are 4 teaching rooms which are also used for recitals and rehearsals, a recording studio which has its own sound proof live room and five practice rooms. The School of Music houses a large collection of books, scores and recorded sound.  There is a considerable library of choral, instrumental, chamber and piano music. We have twenty two Apple Mac computers with Sibelius 5 for score writing and Logic Pro 8 for sequencing.  Equipment includes a mixing desk, sampler, compressor, DAT machine, CD writers, multi-fx units and the technology facilities are being continually developed.  We also have six pianos and a harpsichord.  The department’s acoustic, electric and bass guitars and drum kits are popular with many students. From September 2010 our new accommodation has been enhanced by our new partnership with River Studios in Totton, providing a brand new rehearsal facility for our contemporary music courses.

• Students taking performance courses are entitled to 10 free half hour instrumental lessons per term.
• This is a high achieving department and one of the biggest in the country. It is regarded as a centre of excellence.

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