Course details

Principal study options

During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:

Single specialism

Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.

Alternative single specialism

You may audition for two instruments, with the intention of studying one instrument as a single specialism. The outcome of the audition will determine which instrument is taken as the main specialism.

Instrument/specialisms

For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.

Modules

The BMus (Hons) in Popular Music comprises of 480 credits over four years. It has a clear focus on Artist Development, delivered through the teaching of Performance, Composition and Production, while enabling students to develop their musical literacy to an advanced level. Within its core structure, students are also encouraged to collaborate with musicians across the conservatoire and to utilise the opportunities available through the RNCM’s extensive network of industry partners and specialists. Performance, Composition, Production and Artist Development run across all four years of study, and students have the option to major in one of these during their final year. Performance includes:

• Individual tuition on your Principal Study option.

• Evaluating and performing a range of repertoire, inspiring a cultural connection between historic, contemporary and progressive material.

• Gaining a technical and critical understanding of your role within a range of musical environments and styles.

• Gaining skills in effective band rehearsal and performance techniques, developing the ability to both give and take musical direction.

• Integrating production technology within a variety of live and studio performance environments.

• Developing skills in melody, harmony, rhythm, lyric writing and arranging.

• Studying pre-existing repertoire to gain skills in the analysis of musical elements and the development of compositional and lyrical methods and techniques that typify the practices of contemporary composers and songwriters.

• Creating your own original compositions, notated in lead and lyric sheet and/or score format, with an accompanying demo equivalent in production quality to those presented to music publishers by professional composers and songwriters.

• Developing interpersonal and situational skills through collaborative projects such as co-writing songs as both composer and lyricist; working with vocalists and instrumentalists in the production of demo recordings; and working with engineers, artists, and producers in the studio environment.

• Studying the technical and creative aspects of music production.

• Completing a variety of creative and industry focused briefs.

• Understanding the historical and cultural frameworks of the professional environment.

• Developing critical and technical skills through the analysis of existing repertoire and the creation of new works that typify the practices of contemporary producers and artists.

• Seminars, workshops, colloquiums and tutorials on developing high level analytical, technical, critical, and creative skills and to working independently and collaboratively on original projects.

• Working with artists, composers and musicians in a studio environment in the production of recordings.

• Focusing on the freelance portfolio musician and the original artist, both in terms of creative practice and entrepreneurial activity.

• Develop the skills required to market and promote yourself and your music.

• Acquiring a knowledge and understanding of the music industry and business practice in the context of yourself as a professional practitioner.

• Electives that provide the opportunity to tailor your studies according to your areas of interest and to specialise in areas that will best complement your artistic, professional and academic goals.

Assessment method

Assessment take place during the last three weeks of each semester in windows designed to allow students to focus fully on producing their best work. Assessment and feedback are designed to enable you to demonstrate that you have achieved the intended learning outcomes of the programme:

• To enable students to demonstrate that they have achieved the intended learning outcomes of the programme at the appropriate standard set for the award.

• To promote and support learning in both formative and summative contexts.

• To provide an indication of the level of learning for students, staff, external scrutinisers, Higher Education authorities, professional bodies, other external organisations, and public audiences.

• To be flexible and designed to produce digital assets that have a value beyond the degree in developing and enhancing a sustainable and successful career. We adopt a variety of methods of assessment consistent with and appropriate to the variety of modes of learning and teaching within the programme.

• Provide the most appropriate and direct means of measuring the extent to which students achieve the intended learning outcomes of the programme and its constituent modules.

• Allow students to demonstrate their strengths, taking into account the varied nature of their prior learning experiences and their individual learning needs.

• Offer alternative assessments through module design or through the option of negotiated alternatives for students with particular needs.

• Promote, support and develop different learning experiences.

• Encourage student involvement.

• Encourage recognition of a range of cultural and musical values.