B.A. Creative Music Production

Course Content

In the first year of the programme, you undertake a range of modules including music composition, musicology, technology, sound and acoustics.
Studio recording and production modules feature throughout year 1 and year 2 of the programme, embedding an understanding of the nature of sound and production methodologies.
In year 2 and year 3 you can develop specialisms in musicology, live and interactive technologies, acoustics, creative composition and studio production in a variety of optional modules and projects.

Study modules

Please note that the module list is indicative. As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.

Year 1

The year 1 compulsory modules include:

• Sound and Recording
• Introduction to Popular Music
• Digital Audio
• Sound Synthesis
• Audio Production
• Introduction to Contemporary Composition

Optional modules include:

• Sound for Picture
• Notation and Harmony
• The Film Industry
• Musicianship

Years 2 and 3

The compulsory modules include:

• Professional Practice (double)
• Music Production and Mixing (double)
• Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues

One module out of:

• Composition Portfolio
• Media Technology Project

And also 4 modules out of:

• Popular Music in Society (double)
• Electroacoustic Composition and Sonic Art (double)
• Live Sound Systems
• Composition for Visual Media
• Interactive Music Performance Technology

Optional Modules include:

• Creative Approaches to Electronic Music
• Film Music
• Integrated Project – Live Event
• Ensemble Performance (double)
• Creative Approaches to Composition (double)
• Acoustics and Recording Studio Design
• Audio Signal Processing
• Sound System Design and Optimisation

Optional modules serve each students’ areas of interest, for example if you want to concentrate on composition you would choose modules in Composition for Visual Media, Film Music, Electroacoustic Composition and Sonic Art, Creative Approaches to Composition, and Composition Portfolio. If you are more interested in live sound and music systems, you would choose modules in Live Sound Systems, Interactive Music Performance Technology, Acoustics and Recording Studio Design, Audio Signal Processing, and Sound System Design and Optimisation.Work placementsWork placements form an integral part of Creative Music Production at Oxford Brookes. Our Professional Practice module enables you to consider your studies in relation to work in the general area of music, media and events production. You are encouraged to work on a variety of live projects with community collaborators providing technical support for charity and cultural events, which have previously included the Oxford Jazz Festival, Oxford Folk Weekend, The International Gypsy Guitar Festival, Oxfam Oxjam Takeover, charity fundraiser concerts, and many others.
Through the work placement you gather experience in a field of your choice, such as

• Studio recording and production
• Voiceover recording and editing
• Audio Restoration
• Live sound system engineering
• Sound for film and TV
• Cinema sound
• Musical theatre engineering
• Live sound mixing

Work placements can sometimes lead to students being offered a job with that employer upon graduation.Study abroadYou can take the optional opportunity to study abroad for 1 semester. There are a select number of partner Universities that have similar courses of study in the second year of the programme which you could take on an optional semester long exchange. (Please note that this may incur additional costs for the overseas placement, including travel and accommodation). Attendance patternAll teaching generally takes place from week 1 to week 12 each semester, with usually no more than one module taking place each day. We also encourage you to engage with music during the vacation, by doing work experience, or when you are preparing a major composition project or dissertation.