FdA Roots and Popular Music

This exciting new programme is ideal for musicians who want to further their knowledge of roots and popular music. You will explore the origins of various styles and contextualise them through performance and theory workshops. You will study music performance and theory in addition to developing valuable enterprise skills that will support your career as a performer, music service provider and in music education.

Aims

The programme aims to promote the development of key skills derived from the following areas of music practice:

• Musicianship encompasses all elements of music practice technical ability, stylistic interpretation, feel and all aspects of a well-rounded musician.
• Creativity the source of all new music and aptitude, which all musicians develop as a way of expression. Creative writers are among the highest earners and most sought after professionals within the industry.
• Theory knowledge feeds into every aspect of the course. It informs practice, synthesis, analysis and can be related to written, aural and investigation of all established and new music.
• Context Knowledge helps musicians understand where music came from. The course will allow learners to delve into its effects on society, its character as an industry and the part they play as musicians.
• Employability focuses on presenting transferable skills as sellable skills. Whether for employment or self-employment, learners will analyse strengths and development points and forge them into a functioning musical package.
• All of the skills developed relate directly to the music industry and help to promote employment opportunities.

Modules At Level 4

• Work Related Learning this module will provide you with the opportunity to explore and develop live performance skills. The rehearsal and performance processes are both essential aspects of a live music production and it is necessary to develop and refine the skills involved to ensure efficient rehearsal and accurate performance.
• Writing and Arranging Roots and Popular Music through exploring creativity and originality, this module will give you the chance to construct musical concepts from existing stimulus and generate stylistically accurate original works.
• Roots and Popular Music in Context - This module provides the opportunity for you to take a close look at contextual influences and the development of popular music through British and Americana Roots. Informed by economical, sociological, political and technological analysis of the first popular music.
• The Language of Popular Music - Musicians communicate in a universal language which is constantly evolving. This module will promote the importance of musical literacy, develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with other musicians and equip you with high functioning music theory skills.
• Personal and Professional Development - You will develop the skills needed to succeed within Higher Education and the wider music industry. This module focuses on skill building through reflective practice and action planning in relation to personal and professional development.

At Level 5

• Work Related Learning
• Major Music Project
• Roots and Popular Music in Context
• Music Theory in Practice
• Personal and Professional Development.

Teaching & assessment

You will engage in the following:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• One-to-one tutorials
• Instrumental lessons
• Group tutorials
• Workshops
• Performance projects.

Management and organisation skills are essential for successful performing and recording musicians, therefore, you will be required to plan and manage your own projects, workshops and individual and ensemble sessions. Modules will be assessed through a combination of Practice diaries, Recorded performances (sound and visual recordings as required), Written reports and Essays. All of the above will be supplemented and further developed through the incorporation of visits from industry specialists. Research skills will be delivered and assessed via review and modelling of several analytical models. You will be able to utilise your practice diaries and evaluation feedback in order to assess yourself qualitatively.

Interview Instructions

You will be invited to attend an audition meeting with a member of the music team at the College. Please ensure you bring your instrument with you and be prepared to perform two pieces of music, to demonstrate your performance skills. You will also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of music theory by completing a short music theory paper (LCM grade 5 standard), which will include a context question.

Entry Criteria

You will be required to hold:

• A minimum of 80 UCAS Credits
• A Level 3 qualification in Music or a relevant equivalent
• A Level 2 or equivalent in English Language (or be working towards).
• UCAS tariff points: 80

Experienced musicians may be considered depending on successful audition, and demonstrating appropriate music experience or employment. If you have previously studied on a similar award and have gained higher education credit at an equivalent level it may be possible to take this into account to gain exemptions from one or more modules.