Tour Production and Management Diploma

The ACM Diploma is mapped against the Edexcel BTEC National Award in Production Arts (Theatre Technology).

Students graduating from this programme will be awarded two qualifications:

• The ACM Diploma in Tour Production & Management and
• The Edexcel BTEC National Award in Production Arts (Theatre Technology)

This qualification is run at Level 3 and sits alongside ‘A’ Levels and other NVQ Level 3 awards.

• The ACM Diploma is a practical, industry related course concentrating on the skills required to start a realistic career in the music business.

• Taught by music industry specialists the Diploma gives students one of the most rounded and intensive practical programmes currently available.

• Students have regular access to ACM’s state of the art facilities, including the learning resource centre, and will be in the unique position to work closely with ACM students from other courses.

• The course consists of five modules, one of which is a double module, and students learn by completing assignments based on real world situations.

• Students will be expected to work on a variety of industry related projects including regular hands-on experience of setting stages and working with cutting edge equipment.

• The Diploma lasts for one year and consists of twelve hours of lectures per week, taught over thirty weeks. For every hour spent in the classroom, students are expected to spend at least one hour out of class practising their skills.

• There are five modules in total; these are broken down into two core modules and three specialist modules.

• The core modules give students a cohesive and professional understanding of stage management, touring, and tour production specifically within the music industry.

• The specialist units enable students to study particular areas in depth, honing their skills and enhancing their career opportunities.

COURSE UNIT BREAKDOWN

CORE MODULES

• Tour Planning and Production (double module) - Students look at many different areas of the touring industry, beginning with an overview of a tour, then moving on to cover areas such as the roles of all individuals involved, interaction with the band/artist, travelling logistics, setting up a stage, and stage managing a show.

• Technical Stagecraft – In this module students will learn how to get the best out of backline and sound equipment, including pa, monitor and radio systems. Students will also look at the use of lighting including how to rig, video systems and learn the art of professional load-in, sound-check and load-out routines.

SPECIALIST MODULES

• Touring Essentials – This module is mainly based around practical work and looks at dealing with the care and regular maintenance that is essential to ensuring your equipment finishes the tour in perfect working order. Touring Essentials also takes an in-depth study of the importance of Health & Safety in the professional working environment.

• Stage Sound – This module looks at specific areas of the relationship between stage management and artist. These include on-stage sound, front-of-house sound, monitor sound, microphone techniques, controlled use of volume and equalisation, different types of monitor systems, venue acoustics, and sound-check management techniques.

• Advanced Staging Techniques – Students will focus on gaining specialist product knowledge from amplifiers to cymbals, with expert assistance from major industry manufacturers. This module also looks at power and electrical requirements in different countries, technical lighting and stage lighting concepts, cabling and first aid.

GENERAL INFORMATION

QUALIFICATION

• ACM full time courses run in association with our Educational partners, University of Surrey, Middlesex
University and Guildford College of Further and Higher Education.

ACCOMMODATION
• ACM’s Student Support Team will be happy to advise on living costs and accommodation in the Guildford area.

COURSE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
• All students should provide protective footwear.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Due to the volume level sometimes associated with live performance / rehearsal, all students must provide and wear earplugs.

ACM AND INDUSTRY
• ACM has forged strong links with industry and many of the rooms are supported by our industry partners:
Ableton, Aguilar, AKG, Apple, CATO, Cornford Amps, DBX, Ernie Ball, Fender, Focusrite, Gibson, Hal Leonard, HK Audio, Ibanez, JBL, JHS, Korg, Laney, Lexicon, Line 6, M-Audio, Mapex, Marshall, Matchless, Musicman, Pearl, Roland, Sabian, Shure, Soundcraft, Takamine, Tama, Vox, Yamaha and Zildjian.