Access to Music

BMus Popular Music Performance

The BMus in Music Performance* provides vocational training for musicians who intend to progress into the contemporary music industry to work as freelance popular musicians.  It aims to attract students from a wide range of musical backgrounds and experiences and provide the skills required to progress into employment, self-employment and/ or higher-level study.

 
The programme is designed to equip learners with the skills required to operate across a range of freelance music opportunities with a focus on music performance. Students will need to appreciate the development of their own skills, and how to exploit them in order to reach their potential market, and will expand their ability to contextualise, to think critically and to apply theories, to allow them to develop as individuals.

 
Programme Aims
 
This programme aims to provide learners with the opportunity to:

• Develop instrument specific technical and interpretative skills.
• Develop practical understanding of effective ensemble performance.
• Establish an appreciation of the link between practical and theoretical musical knowledge.
• Initiate originality and a practical understanding of compositional technique.
• Generate related, industry-specific music technology skills.
• Recognise the means by which they may operate as a business within the contemporary popular music industry.

 
Content

• Ensemble Performance Skills
• Instrumental Skills
• Musicianship
• Songwriting
• Composition and Arrangement
• Music Technology and Business Projects
• Music Marketing
• Project Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Final Major Performance Showcase
• Final Major Project

Delivery Model

 A two-year full time accelerated degree programme, delivered five days per week over six 15-week trimesters.
 

Progression

On successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to progress directly into employment, self-employment, or into Masters Degree level study.

Interview & Audition Requirements

Our approach to admissions is developed to balance motivation, musical and intellectual potential, accomplishment, and training with the ability to succeed at Access to Music and after.
 
You are required to submit an online application form, together with an online link to a MP3 or YouTube recording demonstrating your performing ability (3-4 minutes). In addition, you will be required to upload an example of your academic written work.
 
Successful applicants will be auditioned ‘live’. The audition will last 30 minutes and will include a 10 minute performance, followed by musicianship tests and an interview. More details are available online at www.accesstomusic.co.uk


Entry Requirements

• A high level of performing ability.
• At least 18 years of age on 31 December on the year of entry.
• Pass in GCE A level (A2) in 2 subjects (or 2 Scottish Advanced Highers), or a Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification, or a National Diploma in a music-related subject.
• 4 passes (A*-C) at GCSE including Maths and English Language.
• Applicants with non-standard qualifications and/or experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate ability through their audition and interview.
• Students who do not have English as a first language are expected to meet the IELTS 5.5 standard. A student may be advised to undertake additional language courses or receive language support toward achieving the required standard by the start of the course, during the first term or by the end of the first year, as the situation demands.

More info and apply