Music

This is a Higher Education course focusing on both the practical use of recording equipment and sound and music theory. The course will help students with previous experience to develop their music creation, performance and/or recording skills for a variety of industries and help them to prepare for freelance employment and/or continuing education at higher levels.

A higher education course in music focusing on:

the practical use of recording equipment and recording theory within a fully resourced analogue and digital recording studio and post production suites
production and/or techniques within a range of musical styles and genres
Logic DAW skills
website/portfolio creation
the practice and theory of composition and sound production for film and television
musicological research depending on a chosen area of focus
studio and live sound engineering techniques and practices
The college offers excellent facilities as well as specialist and passionate staff with industry experience. The course should help you to develop skills and knowledge for a variety of roles within the music and entertainment industries and help you prepare for employment, freelance work and/or continuing education at degree level.

Gloucestershire College has a fantastic recording studio with a spacious live room and a range of industry standard equipment such as microphones from AKG, Neumann, Rode, Shure and many more to instruments, amplifiers and drum kits.

There is also a smaller mixing/tracking studio for creating demos and working on solo projects with a range of synthesisers which also has a live room connected so that you can record demo ideas or even craft your next hit!
We have four rehearsal rooms that are kitted out and available for small ensembles and bands.

Our Higher Education learning environment has 17 workstations fully equipped with M1 Mac Mini’s and up-to-date software such as Logic, Adobe CC as well as plugins from UAD, Spitfire Audio, Native Instruments and Xfer’s Serum.

Towards the end of the first year of study, learners can choose between a range of Pathways to specialise in for their second year.

This programme is designed to be a two year HND level 5 course which is the equivalent of the first two years of a degree programme. On completion of the first year (at HNC level 4) accreditation can be claimed.

How you will be assessed:

The course is fast paced and professional and covers a range of units. This currently includes a mix of studio production, DAW production, studio recording, studio and live engineering, aural criticism, musicological research, interactive media, composition and post-production. Assessment is continuous through live assignment briefs containing practical, theoretical, research and evaluative elements. You will be expected to do at least 8 hours per week of study/practical work outside of lecture time.

Sector details:

By 2020 the broader performing arts and music sector is predicted to grow by more than 40%. For the industry to meet this potential the availability of a highly skilled technical workforce is fundamental.

There are 102,220 people working in the music industry, of which 50,780 work in live performance 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument/audio equipment 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings 10,190 in recording 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities.

Within the industry, starting salaries can range from £13,000 a year full-time equivalent; with experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £40,000. Freelance earnings can be higher or lower, depending on reputation and how much work is available. Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Learners have the opportunity to tailor some of their module choices to suit their own interests and specialisms during the first year of their course, and have further flexibility when choosing a bespoke pathway for their second year of study.

Modules currently studied on the first year (HNC) are:

• The Music Industry
• Marketing and Promotion for Musicians
• Professional Development
• Recording Technology
• Creative Software Techniques
• Live Sound Techniques
• Performance
• Compositional Techniques
• Composing Using Technology

Modules currently studied on the second year (HND) are:

• Creative Research Project
• Advanced Music Production
• Mixing and Mastering
• Creative Portfolio
• Developing as an Artist
• Composing to a Brief
• Experimental Composition

Assessment is continuous through live assignment briefs containing practical, theoretical, research and evaluative elements. You will be expected to do at least 8 hours per week of study/practical work outside of lecture time and can book the studio, mix room and college facilities to do so.