Popular Music Studies

BA (Hons) Popular Music Studies

Full-Time Degree

All students will engage in performance and composition, each student can also choose to study either performance or composition as their Principal Study and specify this at the point of application.

Principal Study Performance

As a specialist performer, you will receive individual tuition on your chosen instrument, focusing on the development of performance technique and repertoire. At the end of each year, you will give an assessed public performance either as a solo performer or as part of a band, depending on your material and choice of performance.

Principal Study Composition

As a specialist composer, you will receive individual tuition each week focusing on the development of an individual compositional style. At the end of each year, your compositions will be assessed through the submission of a portfolio of your best work.

Performance Studies

You will develop your individual and ensemble performance skills under the guidance of a distinguished team of teachers and ensemble coaches. Tuition and coaching will be provided within an ensemble context. In this environment you will develop the skills required to effectively rehearse and convincingly perform material from a range of popular music styles. Specific attention will be paid to stagecraft and performance etiquette sensitive to genre and location. You will also take part in regular performance workshops led by visiting artists and members of the core staff team. If you select the relevent option, there will also be an opportunity to undertake a community music project working with amateur musicians to realise a community-based performance project.

Composition Studies

In this area of study you will develop the skills required to compose and arrange original material within a range of genres and will receive specialist tuition in developing harmony, melody and lyrics to support the development of your individual technique and style. Works will be specially written for performance as part of the Ensemble modules. You will also take part in regular composition workshops led by visiting artists and members of the core staff team.

Musicology (Historical, Critical and Analytical Studies)

You will study the principal developments in popular music and also consider the political and social contexts in which they occurred, through detailed examination of the work of the most significant performers and composers. If you select the relevent option, you will also have the opportunity to study a range of world music.