Course may be subject to change.
Take the first step to being centre stage with our music industry skills course.
Explore the core elements of being a musician or vocalist, such as different genres of music, performance skills and self-promotion in the music industry.
Entry Criteria
4 GCSEs at grade 3 - this will include English and maths at a minimum of Level 4 or Functional Skills at Level 2.
Additional Costs
You will be required to provide your own microphones, cables, drumsticks, plectrums, spare strings etc.
What are the next steps?
Please prepare a short piece of music or a song that showcases your technical ability to bring to the meeting.
Following your performance, there will be an informal discussion about scales and rudiments related to your instrument or voice.
Study Aims
Our music industry skills course is designed to prepare you for progression in the music industry by providing you with the core element of being a musician or vocalist.
Modules Studied
Mandatory units:
- Exploring Music
- Skills Development for Performing Arts
- Self-promotion in the Music Industry
- Music Project (Synoptic Assessment).
Elective units
- Music Performance
- Music Production.
Times of Delivery
Monday - 9am – 5pm Tuesday - 9am - 5pm Wednesday - 9am - 5pm Thursday - 9am - 5pm Friday - 9am - 5pm
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching will include a combination of:
- Practical workshops (band rehearsals)
- Assessed live music performances
- Lectures
- Seminar-style surgeries
- Portfolios of projects using MIDI workstations
- Essays
- Logbooks
- Videoed rehearsals
- Presentations.
Industry Links
We have strong links with a range of local businesses within the music industry. Previous students have benefitted from our strong links and have secured part-time and full-time jobs.
Partnerships include:
- Beamish Museum
- Bishop FM
- Pathways Durham
- Durham Music Service.
Maths and English
Maths and English constitute a mandatory component of the curriculum. Learners who have not attained a GCSE grade 4 or Level 2 Functional Skills are required to attend mandatory maths/English sessions to achieve this grade within the academic year.
Placement
You will be encouraged to gain work placement in a music-related role, such as:
- Music venue
- Music retail
- Radio station
- Rehearsal/ recording studio
- Drama/theatre group or stage school (as musical director or musician for hire)
- Performing music for the community e.g. care homes, primary school workshops etc.
You could progress to a Level 3 course at New College Durham.
