Course summary

Contribute to the local and national music scene by performing, song writing, recording, selling and promoting new and innovative music. BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance programme aims to develop students into successful contributing members of the local, national and international popular music industry. Our students will have access to our industry-standard rehearsal and live performance spaces, including our Corner Lounge informal acoustic performance space in our new University Centre building, and 250 seat live music theatre in the School of Art. Our four rehearsal studios include the very latest in backline equipment and professional PA sound reinforcement. For guitarists and bassists, we have Marshall, Orange, Peavey and Blackstar amplification to cater for many styles, and our drummers can enjoy our top-of-the-range TAMA and Sonor drum kits. Keyboard players have the opportunity to use our Kurweil, Roland and Yamaha electric pianos and our Bechstein grand piano. Industry standard sound reinforcement is available in every rehearsal room for acoustic guitarists and singers, including Shure microphones, Yamaha powered mixers and Peavey loud speakers. For those interested in learning about live sound, our DB fully active live rig and Allen and Heath desks are available for live use. Our specialist technician team, consisting of Pro Tools and Live Sound experts, will be on hand to guide you through the rehearsal process, not to mention our highly qualified academic team that consists of active musicians, who continually produce work, write and record. Our academic team are on hand to help you every step of the way with one-to-one tutorials and a sensible and relaxed attitude to rehearsal studio time and lecturer access. For those wishing to develop additional recording skills, students have the opportunity to study professionally recognised production qualifications, including the Avid Pro Tools 101 course with our in-house Avid Instructor. All students will be expected to become active musicians, contributing to the music scene from the very start of the course by taking part in real-world experience by managing and performing at our White Box live sessions.