| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-07-27 | 2023-04-01 |
| 2023-10-01 | 2023-07-01 |
| 2024-01-05 | 2023-10-01 |
| 2024-04-01 | 2024-01-01 |
Program Overview
Introduction:
Study our foundation degree in Music Performance and you’ll be equipped with a broad set of practical skills, while being given the opportunity to focus on your personal development as a professional musician. At key points during the course you’ll also have direct access to Confetti’s sister company - record label, Denizen - for advice and guidance.
A key feature of the course is an individualised approach to your studies, allowing you to develop technical mastery of your first instrument whilst also broadening your understanding of other subject areas and ways of thinking about music, performance and composition.
This course is taught at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham.
Key features
Program Outline
What you’ll study
Our Music Performance degree is tailored to your musical goals allowing you to develop technical mastery of your first instrument whilst also broadening your understanding of other subject areas and ways of thinking about songwriting, composition, performance and music management.
Year One
Final year
Composition and Arrangement (40 credit points)
This module aims to develop your understanding of composition and arrangement through the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of music. You will be given grounding in music theory, arranging techniques and composition, while developing hands-on skills in music production software. The latter will provide you with additional options or may form the backbone for the work you do within the areas of composing and arranging.
During this module you will study different approaches to composing. You will work both individually and collaboratively on projects that show a developing understanding of music genre and create a body of work that demonstrates your developing practice as a composer, arranger and producer.
Performance Techniques (40 credit points)
This module aims to develop your performance techniques, focusing on several key areas. You will develop technical competence in playing an instrument, through studying contemporary performance techniques, developing skills in sight reading, listening skills and improvisation. You will develop your skills as a performer in solo and group contexts, considering the communicative nature of musical performance, your relationship with the audience and exploring the performance environment.
The module also deals with the various technical demands of the performing musician, including instrument maintenance and the ‘tool kit’ required by a performing musician. You will carry out research to inform your developing practical skills, giving you an appreciation of contemporary theories and techniques.
Recording Studio Practice (20 credit points)
The role of the modern musician requires an understanding of the technological aspects of recording and producing music. Advancements in technology mean that more and more musicians are recording their own music and ‘self-producing’. In addition to this, the ability of musicians to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas about their work with sound engineers and producers can be an invaluable asset. Consequently, this module aims to develop your understanding of sound recording practices to aid you in your future career as a professional musician.
A large emphasis of the module is on practical recording techniques. You will also study the historical development of recording technology and its impact on musical styles, as well as the wider influence on society and culture.
The Music Industry (20 credit points)
This module aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding of how changes in the industry impact on consumer trends and working practices. In addition, the module focuses heavily on your development as an emerging professional.
Consequently, there is a strong emphasis on you completing work for client(s) as part of your study in the module. You will be required to carry out independent study into current industry trends, examining and evaluating how changes in technology have affected the creation and consumption of music and audio content.
You will also be introduced to the pressures of working for clients through the completion of a live client brief. The aim is for you to acquire practical experience of the skills and attributes needed for work and employment in industry.
Music, Technology & Performance (60 credit points)
This module aims to further develop your performance techniques, enhancing your technical skills whilst broadening your contextual understanding of musical performance. You will continue to develop a technical mastery in your first instrument through timetabled and self-directed rehearsal and performance schedules. Throughout this module you will demonstrate your ability to perform individually and collaboratively, continuing to develop and working on your technique in both settings in order to develop your stage craft and hone your skills as a performer.
As well as a focus on traditional musicianship and solo / ensemble performance, you will also be exploring the integration of different technologies in performance. You will research the historical and contemporary use of technology in performance, and use this research to inform the integration of technology into your own work. You will investigate pioneering individuals in the integration of technology in performance, and acquire the technical know-how required to implement these technologies.
Composing Music for Visual Media (20 credit points)
This module follows on from your first year studies in composition and arrangement, this time focusing on composition for visual media. This subject area brings with it distinct challenges for a music composer. A composer for visual media must be able to work collaboratively, taking direction from others in the development of their work. It is also important to understand the emotive impact music can have and how to write music that enhances the viewing experience. Therefore, you will explore the application of compositional tools for specific themes such as horror, romance, drama, sadness, suspense and comedy.
There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking and reflection in this module through the study of a wide range of commercial compositional work, together with an analysis of your own work in this context.
Contextual Studies in Music (20 credit points)
Music plays an integral part of everyday life across a diverse range of cultures and societies. In many ways, music provides the touchstones of human experience. Music can transcend language and cultural barriers. It can have an effect on individual and social identity, politics, fashion and technology. This module encourages you to examine the historical significance of music and its impact on global cultures and societies. You will also study the fundamental aspects of the psychology of music and its effect on the human brain in terms of emotive response to music and sound.
There is a strong emphasis on research throughout this module and you will be required to spend time carrying out independent research activities to widen your understanding of the subject area. There will also be practical aspects of the module with guest workshops and lectures from industry professionals.
Industry Practice (20 credit points)
During this module you will undertake appropriate self-directed projects, working collaboratively on creative work, allowing you to directly apply the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme in the context of the workplace. This module aims to develop your overall professionalism and provide you with the knowledge and resources to begin a career in the creative industries. The nature of creative industries is increasingly defined by freelance and self-employed models of work. Consequently, individuals seeking work in industry need to appreciate the pressures of working on multiple projects to strict deadlines and the subsequent demands this place on time and resources.
Similarly, an understanding of professional practice and the legal and economic imperatives in industry is important, as is effective communication, self-efficacy and autonomy.
This module aims to develop these skills and knowledge by challenging you to develop a range of self-directed projects.
How you’re taught
At Confetti our classrooms are unique. As part of their course, our students get the chance to go out into industry and Do It For Real at locations across the UK!
Teaching and learning are designed around developing your practical and technical skills, whilst also enhancing your critical and analytical thinking. Classes are a mixture of rehearsals, live performances, workshops, seminars and tutorials. During these sessions you will develop your expertise, working alongside Confetti’s expert tutors who are active professional musicians who have performed with some of the world’s biggest artists on some of the world’s biggest stages, such as Glastonbury.
The course will involve a number of performances at a wide range of events, at both local and nationally recognised venues, such as Splendour. In some modules you’ll work on ‘live’ projects, where you’ll be required to complete work for industry clients, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your developing professionalism and build a portfolio of work that will support your future career.
Guest lectures from professional musicians, promoters and producers will also help enhance your knowledge and experience of the music industry. In addition, you’ll have direct access to the Confetti Media Group’s in-house record label and artists management company Denizen who will offer help and guidance throughout your studies.
Assessment
Assessment is 100% through coursework. You will receive feedback throughout.
Forms of assessment include:
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credit points each year. Your final degree mark will be based 100% on your final year work.
Industry Week
We also hold an annual
Industry Week
, where guest speakers and mentors from the music industry are invited in to talk to students. Our students have the opportunity to learn from people working in the industry right now, and can make invaluable contacts during this week.Past Industry Week guests have included:
Check out our talks OnDemand
here
Degree Show
In your final year you will exhibit your work as part of Confetti's Degree Show. This event includes all final year students across Confetti's courses and is a great platform for you to showcase your work to key influencers across the creative industries.
Contact hours
Careers and employability
Each case will be considered individually, but upon completion you’re automatically entitled to enter into the 3rd year of our BA (Hons) Music Performance to gain a full BA qualification.
The music industry offers a broad range of career prospects for graduates. Students studying the FdA Music Performance will study subject areas that will help prepare them for the diverse nature of the industry.
You will also study the wider context of their industry, investigating working practices, legal frameworks, business models and career opportunities. In addition, the course also aims to develop your cognition, autonomy and research skills, enabling you to continue in further academic study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You will increasingly be faced with freelance and self-employed models of work upon graduation. Consequently, the course aims to equip you with appropriate skills for this type of workplace through ‘live’ client-led briefs with local and national industry partners, which will help you build a varied and distinctive portfolio of work throughout your studies.
Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on close interaction with industry in the form of lectures, workshops and seminars from industry professionals throughout the two years of study.