Level 3 Diploma in Popular Music Performance

This lesson will help students to explore and develop their technical instrumental skills. These lessons are specifically tailored for each discipline and will challenge their current level of technique whilst providing them with new and necessary skills to improve their dexterity, rhythm, timing, musical expression and much more.

This lesson explores the development of musical styles since the beginning of popular music. Students will learn in their separate instrumental disciplines about the style in context by focusing on sonic trademarks and musical and stylistic characteristics of each genre’s studied. Students will need to learn and preform in various styles allowing them to develop into a well informed and versatile musicians and performers.

This lesson feeds directly into the Live Performance Workshop, by prepping the students on the song ahead of the workshop. This lesson will allow students to get up and perform the track in their instrumental disciples so they can receive specific instrumental feedback on their approach in preparation for the Live workshop.

Attention to detail is paramount and this class will cover key vocal and physical performance techniques concentrating on the time, feel, groove and techniques of each piece. Students will explore movement, space, posture, eye contact and communication with their audience, as well as practical matters like microphone techniques and how to set up a PA. Students will also consider how technology can inform and enhance their live performance.

This lesson is an exciting and valuable lesson where all disciplines come together to perform each week as an ensemble. Students will have a list of exciting repertoire to learn and will come each week ready to perform with a band on stage. You will live and valuable feedback form your lecturers.

Students workshop the song as a band on all elements of performance, such as style, part accuracy, technique, harmony and stage presence/ setup and sound. This lesson will help our students start to develop more confidence on stage and feel more owner ship over their delivery as an artist and performer.

In this lesson students will develop their aural and theory skills by learning to explore and identify musical components such as rhythm, melody, harmony, tonality, instrumental timbre and structures. This will enable them to acquire the critical listening skills required in the performance environment and will enable them to communicate quickly and effectively in a variety of musical situations, opening the doors to employment opportunities. This lesson will contribute to the songwriting lessons, providing them with the necessary tools to begin composing music effectively.

This lesson introduces students to industry-standard music software packages, allowing them to build up effective backing tracks and sequence their own music. This will allow them to develop skills in software-based programmes such as logic pro X and also gain valuable experience of learning recording in a real studio environment.

This lesson will introduce students to the conventions and history of various genres of contemporary and popular song through which they can present a portfolio of their own song ideas in order to explore how to develop their own composition abilities. Students will be expected to compose and create an original song that has a set popular song structure.

Extended Studies is a dynamic and conversational space for general course management and personal development.

This class allows a great opportunity for course leaders and students to meet weekly to recap and review key areas of the curriculum – as well as receiving information relating to assessments, opportunities, student life, and masterclasses. This acts as an assessment support session as well as general holistic support for students and an open space for suggestions, ideas and sharing work/ good practice. Students will also have the opportunity establish creative projects with their peers on other diploma courses.

Extended Studies is a dynamic and conversational space for general course management and personal development.

This class allows a great opportunity for course leaders and students to meet weekly to recap and review key areas of the curriculum – as well as receiving information relating to assessments, opportunities, student life, and masterclasses. This acts as an assessment support session as well as general holistic support for students and an open space for suggestions, ideas and sharing work/ good practice.

This lesson gives students practical music industry knowledge that will help them plan their careers. They’ll be taken through all aspects of the music industry, including record and publishing deals, management, music synchronisation, legal issues, copyright, music teaching, live music and business plans.

This lesson not only gives students the skills to critically listen to music but also understand the personal, social and cultural conditioning that can inform our musical tastes. The lesson will give you chance to analyse the factors behind changes in personal responses to music over time identifying the key events that are likely to have influenced these changes.