BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance and Songwriting

A key aim of our course is to ensure that there is a strong ‘creative practice’ strand of performance and songwriting throughout all three years that relates closely to working in the music industry and this is supported by small group instrumental or vocal lessons as outlined through the ‘Personal Instrumental Learning Plan’. Musicianship skills underpin the practice; music theory for popular music is a significant component of the course at every level; and the course includes modules specifically aimed at building the entrepreneurial skill base and business awareness necessary to operate in the music industry. Critical reflection on your own professional development is included on each level of the practice-based modules, and this subsequently feeds into the development of your own personal web profile.You’ll be taught how to manage, organise and technically realise music projects and be encouraged to enter the local music scene with multiple opportunities to perform in the region’s venues. Music student ensembles have taken part in the Godiva Festival, Coventry Jazz Festival, Coventry Peace and Reconciliation Festival and performed their final projects at central Coventry music venues, such as The Albany, Ego Arts Venue, the Tin Music and Arts, and Belgrade Theatre.We enjoy local reputation for providing quality live music for all types of venues or genre-based musical events. We regularly hold concerts open to the public – the renowned Coventry University lunchtime concert series has featured internationally renowned musicians like finger-style guitarist Thomas Leeb, jazz pianist Andy Quin, and funk band Resolution 88.You also have the chance to deepen your musical understanding within other cultures by taking up the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad. Recent students have found studying in Cyprus, Finland, Spain and Canada to be a life changing experience.**Key Course Benefits:**• A focus on creative-based music skills in performance and songwriting which is underpinned by popular music theory.• A vibrant and creative environment, offering you access to professional practices, new research and outstanding graduate support;• Regular opportunities to showcase students’ performing and songwriting talent in a public context throughout their studies.• To develop your own personal website (e.g. Domain of One’s Own) which by the later stages of the course, is intended to be a professional-looking, outward-facing website that demonstrates the breadth of your learning and professional experience.• Performance spaces on-site include a large room with two grand pianos, suitable for small recitals, and The Hub’s Square One, a large performance space kitted out with PA, amps, drums and a grand piano.• You will have the opportunity to perform in at least one of the following city's live music venues (subject to availability), which previously has included: Studio 54, The Herbert Art Gallery, Kasbah, The Phoenix, The Cross, Drapers, The Cottage, The Tin, The Litten Tree, Ego Arts and Nexus.• Extensive specialist facilities: a music seminar room with grand piano, PA, amps, drum kit, 5.1 surround sound and directly linked to a control room for recording; music practice rooms with pianos, drums and PA; three band rooms; a 5.1 studio and live room; instrument storage; an iMac music tech suite plus further state-of-the-art recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs• Visiting master classes which are embedded within the course and which have included: Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi, singer/songwriter Gwyneth Herbert; composers: Nick Ryan, Derek Nesbitt, Kit Turnbull and Juwon Ogungbe; sonic artist Trevor Wishart; guitarist Sam Cave; avant-garde bass clarinettist, Sarah Watt