STUDY MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD

Transcription

1 STUDY MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD

2 STUDY MUSIC ON ONE OF OUR ESTABLISHED COURSES, DELIVERED IN THE UNIQUE AND STUNNING ENVIRONMENT OF SAGE GATESHEAD, AND YOU WILL DEVELOP ALL THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BUILD A PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN MUSIC. There really is no better place to learn your craft than by coming to Sage Gateshead to study music, where you will join an inspirational community of outstanding musicians with a passion for playing, producing and teaching music. Studying music at Sage Gateshead is a unique experience that you won t get anywhere else. You re not just learning about the music profession, you re learning inside it, right at the heart of a vibrant, professional music organisation, based in a stunning international venue. With excellent resources, a state-of-theart learning environment and comprehensive student support, you can be confident that the knowledge and skills you will take from here will provide you with the best start possible to develop and sustain a professional career in music. 1 OUR UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC DEGREES ARE RATED BEST IN THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND FOR ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND JOINT BEST FOR TEACHING ON MY COURSE IN THE NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2015.

3 PORTFOLIO CAREER IN MUSIC Successful musicians sustain a career in music by being able to apply their musical skills in many ways, for example as performers, teachers, producers or composers. This way of working is known as having a portfolio career. The courses at Sage Gateshead have been designed so that you can focus on the elements which you think will be most relevant to you and your professional music career. There are two main routes to graduation, depending on your aspirations, and these can be adapted to suit your personal preferences. BA (Hons) Community Music for musicians who also see themselves as teachers, and whose motivations may be socially-engaged as well as musical (e.g. wanting to work with children and young people, or people with disabilities, the over-50s, music therapy, in schools or community settings) BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music for musicians who want to develop their technical musical skills (e.g. performance, production, composition) to the highest possible standards 2

4 WHO WE ARE All teaching and learning is situated within the premises and the practices of Sage Gateshead. Sage Gateshead is respected nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the fields of music education and performance as well as being a renowned music venue with world class acoustics. It directs and delivers one of the largest and most diverse music participation programmes in the UK with a faculty of around 100 musicians, including professional community musicians, teachers and performers.es. sagegateshead.com We stage over 400 gigs a year featuring international household names as well as up and coming artists, and over 70,000 people participate in our Learning and Participation programme each year, in every kind of music imaginable. There is no other musical community of practice like it, which is why becoming a part of it will give you the best start to your career. Both of our music courses are validated by the University of Sunderland, so you will gain an honours degree from a highly respected higher education institution, with an established and varied portfolio of vibrant dance, drama, music Sage Gateshead is unique as a music organisation in that it recognises equally the artistic value of both musical performance and and performing arts courses on the Sunderland campuses and in partner institutions. sunderland.ac.uk/performing_arts participation. 13

5 WHAT WE HAVE At Sage Gateshead, you will experience high quality teaching and learning, excellent resources and facilities and up-to-date connections to potential employers and the wider music industry. Studying music at Sage Gateshead is a unique experience; as well as access to all of the oncampus facilities in Sunderland you d expect, you become a member of the community of musicians at one of the UK s most exciting music venues, with many benefits. You can book Sage Gateshead s acoustically treated rehearsal rooms for your own personal practice or band rehearsals. You will develop your skills as a musician alongside established practitioners, and you will also have the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular workshops and masterclasses with Sage Gateshead is equipped with: Outstanding performance spaces of acoustic excellence (Sage One & Sage Two) Northern Rock Foundation Hall a large performance and rehearsal space A twenty-six room Music Education Centre where all undergraduate teaching happens The Music Learning Resource Centre a technology suite with up-to-date software An on-site library exclusively for our students A vast collection of resources including instruments and equipment Other venue facilities such as a café, shop and a brasserie visiting musicians, as well as discounted deals for Sage Gateshead s amazing programme of performances. 4

6 join our community of musicians A unique aspect of studying at Sage Gateshead is the opportunity to meet and interact with hundreds of professional musicians. In addition to timetabled classes with tutors of the highest calibre there is also the chance to work with and perform alongside many of our visiting artists. 5 1 Sting

7 Imogen Heap Programme Tutors and Lecturers ROUTES INTO HIGHER EDUCATION If you would like to study for a degree at Sage Gateshead but don t have the necessary qualifications you could consider the Level 3 Popular Music Course or HE Access Course at Gateshead College. For further information please highereducation@sagegateshead.com 6

8 BA Hons) COMMUNITY MUSIC 3 YEARS FULL-TIME UCAS CODE WX39 Entry requirements TYPICAL OFFER In the region of 280 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent. GCSE Maths and English, Grade C (or equivalent). For more information on entry requirements for this course see page What is Community Music? Students and graduates of this course say there are a number of aspects to studying Community Music (CM) at Sage Gateshead: 1 - Working in Communities - community musicians are simply musicians who regularly teach or facilitate groups of participants, as a key part of their professional portfolio of employment. Most musicians teach at some point in their career, and this course helps you to develop strong teaching and leadership skills. Community Music involves using your own musical skills to help others make music, and is an exciting opportunity for musicians with a passion for making a difference or who want to put something back. This might involve working with amateur choirs and orchestras, for example, or groups of young people or people with disabilities. 2 - Building Communities - as a community musician, you help other people develop themselves personally, artistically, socially and culturally through music. Community Music encourages musical excellence and innovation, whilst enhancing the quality of life for people in all communities, enhancing community cohesion, and the social and economic aspects of community regeneration. 3 - Sage Gateshead Community uniquely, you become part of Sage Gateshead s community of musicians 4 - Student Community learning the skills and values which underpin Community Music means feeling part of a community yourself. This course is structured to promote cooperation and collaboration with your peers, and working with students from other years and other programmes. We go out of our way to ensure the diverse musical experiences and skills of everyone on the course is valued by all.

9 Who is this course for? This innovative course is designed for anyone who is musically skilled, from school leavers to professional musicians, who want to apply their talents to working with people in a broad range of educational and community settings. You may already be an established performer, or have previous experience of leading or facilitating music-making. Sunderland is proud to be the only university in the North East offering students the opportunity to study for a Community Music degree. 8

10 COURSE CONTENT This is a practical course where you will develop your creative and artistic skills to facilitate musical activity with others through projects, placements and community events. You will also develop transferable skills in communication, organisation, self-resilience, leadership, teamwork and evaluation. You will develop an awareness and understanding of distinctive traditions, conventions, practices and contexts that have helped shape contemporary practice within community music and you will become familiar with current trends and developments. You will have the opportunity to study: Ensemble Musicianship Ensemble Leadership Music Learning and Participation Music Language and Theory Creative and Artistic Practice Complementary Ensemble Studies Professional Studies Contextual/Critical Studies As well as class-based study and skills development, you will develop your practical teaching and facilitation skills through regular opportunities to be part of real world practical projects within Sage Gateshead s extensive Learning and Participation programme, which works with over 70,000 people every year in over 1,000 projects of every kind of music-making imaginable. By working closely with more experienced practitioners inside outstanding authentic music education projects, you will learn and develop the actual practical skills to do this kind of work when you graduate. Indeed, graduates from the course are often employed by Sage Gateshead, and recent undergraduates have even found employment within Sage Gateshead s Learning and Participation programme while still studying on the course. Recent graduates who ve gone on to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education tell us that what they learned on the course has given them a practical advantage in securing a PGCE place, and a head start in becoming a music teacher. There is an equal focus on developing as both musicians and as educators, with a lot of learning in one area being applied to the other. For example, everyone in Stage 2 leads a student ensemble in a genre of their choice, which helps to develop leadership skills which you can then apply in your educational work. 19

11 Teaching and Assessment You will be taught by an experienced teaching team of musicians from Sage Gateshead, with excellent national reputations as musicians and music educators, and tutors from the University of Sunderland. You will be continually assessed via individual and practical projects, presentations, research documentation, essays, critical evaluations and public performances. variety of directions; as well as developing successful careers as musicians, recent graduates have been employed in youth work, teaching, performing arts, social work and other related fields. You may also consider postgraduate study through the University of Sunderland s Post Compulsory Certificate in Education and Training, a qualification for Teaching in Further Education. Post-Graduation Throughout the course, you will develop your own musical skills, and learn how to inspire, motivate and organise others to enjoy music making. You will develop the skills you need for a successful portfolio career in music, typically with a mix of performance, composition, teaching and community work. On graduation, you will be able to develop your career in a Please note that successful applicants to this course are required to undergo the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) process in order to proceed with their course. If you don t intend to include teaching or facilitation as part of your career, you may wish to apply for BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music (page 11). 10

12 BMUS (HONS) JAZZ, POPULAR AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC 3 YEARS FULL-TIME UCAS CODE WX39 Entry requirements TYPICAL OFFER In the region of 280 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent. GCSE Maths and English, Grade C (or equivalent). For more information on entry requirements for this course see page 13. Who is this course for? If you are a music practitioner who is keen to work professionally in a variety of music styles and genres, then this course is for you. music in the UK and has produced many outstanding professional musicians over the years. On a modular basis, you will study a carefully selected range of core subjects, complemented by projects in areas of your own interests. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of music making, enabling you to understand and challenge The course offers you the opportunity to study professional musicianship at undergraduate level, developing practical, technical and theoretical expertise through intellectual discipline. This established course was one of the first to be developed for jazz and popular the nature of the music industry and achieve success in a range of careers. You will be assessed through performance, written essays, musical scores, written and practical examinations, seminar presentations and practical assignments. 1 11

13 COURSE CONTENT Teaching and Assessment Our teaching staff are all professional musicians with established national profiles in the fields of jazz, popular and commercial music. Their experience and expertise continuously inform the curriculum, creating a stimulating, vocational environment where you will encounter a journey of discovery, reflection and achievement. This nurturing atmosphere, combined with an inspiring curriculum, will encourage you to discover and realise your full potential in your chosen musical career. This course has developed and extended links with external professional music practitioners, the music industry and professional organisations through ongoing consultation, visiting lecturers and masterclasses. Recent masterclasses have been delivered by Sting, Bill Frisell, Bill Bruford, Lulo Reinhardt, Yellowjackets and Mark Knopfler. You will have the opportunity to study: Instrumental Tuition Ensembles Harmony & Arranging Music Technology Composition Improvisation Music Production Complementary Ensemble Studies Keyboard and Aural Studies Contextual/Critical Studies Professional Studies Post-Graduation On graduation, you will be able to develop your career in a variety of directions; as well as developing successful careers as musicians, recent graduates have been employed as producers, composers and teachers. You may also consider postgraduate study through the University of Sunderland s Post Compulsory Certificate in Education and Training, a qualification for Teaching in Further Education. If you intend to include a large element of teaching or facilitation as part of your career, you may wish to apply for BA (Hons) Community Music (page 7). 12

14 HOW TO APPLY Our cutting edge courses are open to a range of musicians drawn from the broadest range of genres from jazz, popular and world, to folk and classical. We are looking for students who are confident musicians (grades not necessary) and who bring commitment and passion to their chosen course. Our typical offer will be 280 points from a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Maths and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. Musicians with alternative qualifications and experience will be considered. If English is not your first language, you will also need a minimum of IELTS 6, or equivalent. BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music Please submit your application through UCAS using the code W340 more details at ucas.com Preparation In applying for this course, you will be invited to attend an interview, audition and examination, for which a fee is payable. This process will allow us to make a detailed assessment of your personal strengths and weaknesses as a potential professional musician. As a result, we will offer you valuable, constructive advice that you can use to build a self-development plan for the future. The audition will involve performing two contrasting pieces and undertaking sight reading and aural tests. The equivalent of an Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Grade 8 performance standard is normally required. You will be expected to demonstrate the equivalent of the ABRSM Grade 5 music theory such as scales and chords, in a written paper. You will be asked to demonstrate an aptitude for composition and arranging. A knowledge of the basic equipment and processes involved in music recording and production will normally be expected. You will also be assessed on your general communication skills. During the interview, you will be given an opportunity to discuss your aims and objectives, as well as ask any questions you may have. 1 13

15 BA (Hons) Community Music Please submit your application through UCAS using the code WX39 more details at ucas.com If you are successful in your application, you will be required to undergo the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) process to allow you to take part in music projects with various groups. You will need to have successfully completed the DBS process, for which there is a fee, before starting the course. Preparation In applying for this course, you will be invited to take part in both a group workshop and an interview. You will be invited to play and/or sing and undertake a short, written task as part of the interview process. We are interested in your musical skills and your potential as a music leader and team player. 14

16 GRADUATE CASE STUDIES Emily Blyth BA (Hons) Community Music graduate Emily graduated with first class honours from the BA (Hons) Community Music degree in She came to the degree as a mature student looking for a change of direction after seven years in the financial services industry, and this turned out better than she ever could have expected. Emily is also an active member of the Green Party. I discovered a love of teaching adults and older people, and had the chance to work as a choir leader while completing my degree. I m now living in another part of the country, and the skills and experiences I gained while studying and working at Sage Gateshead have given me the confidence to set up my own projects as a teaching musician. The amazing thing about studying at Sage Gateshead is that you re immersed in an incredible, diverse musical world, with performances and teaching happening all around you every day. The wealth of opportunities for students to develop skills, network with professionals, and gain useful experience is enormous. 1 15

17 Laura Reavley Alongside the delivery on the degree we were BA (Hons) Community Music graduate able to meet and network with professional Laura is a classically trained piano and woodwind instrumentalist who now works as a Project Musician at Sage Gateshead. musicians both within and outside Sage Gateshead which was invaluable! I can honestly say I would not be where I am without the degree! My favourite thing about Studying at Sage Gateshead was an being a Project Musician is the wide variety invaluable experience. I was studying of people I work with and in very different alongside working musicians as well as being settings. My current working week involves able to see how a music organisation works. running a Choir for people aged over 50, Being at Sage Gateshead for my degree gave Leading mixed ability Adult Learning Classes me a real-life experience which enabled me for Saxophone and Flute, running Family to learn and be inspired by all of the music Music Sessions for Under 5 s and Babies, 1:1 around me! Instrumental lessons for Young People with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities as well as The skills and experience you gain from a working in a Special Needs School delivering degree in Community Music really prepares part of the Music Curriculum! No two days are you for working with people who have a ever the same and that s exactly why I love it! diverse range of abilities. At the same time it challenges you to think about why you do I also have the opportunity to write and what you do and the impact it can have on arrange music for groups which is another yourself as a musician as well as those you passion of mine. There is a great sense of work with. achievement when you see a group perform something you have written/arranged! 16

18 Adam Sinclair BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music graduate I chose the BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music degree as I found that many other courses on offer were too limiting in their focus, being either Jazz or Popular music. The fact that this course covers a much wider range of styles really appealed to me, and I felt this would be a big advantage looking forward towards my professional career. daily basis; understanding of harmony and arrangement, composition, aural skills, music technology, business skills, as well as the large network of talented musicians I developed through being part of the course. The course s graduates are musicians of a consistently outstanding standard. I certainly felt I learned all of the skills required to enter the world of the session musician with full confidence, and it fills me with confidence when I play alongside other musicians that have graduated from the course as I know they ll be up to the job! I currently work as a Record Producer and Engineer, getting to work alongside some of the world s top flight producers and artists. I m also a freelance drummer which has seen me perform at the O2 Arena, Glastonbury Festival and European rock festivals to audiences of 20,000 people. The degree set me up with a whole range of skills that have been essential to my professional work. I am also now a tutor on the course. As a producer, I use many of the skills developed through the course on a Studying Music at Sage Gateshead is a great opportunity for students. They get to study within a world class concert venue, and perform on stages that have hosted the world s top musicians. With links to the Gateshead International Jazz Festival and opportunities for students to perform within the building, there is the chance for students to graduate with a CV that already includes one of the world s leading venues. 1 17

19 Paul Susans BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music graduate I graduated from the BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music degree course in I first borrowed the school Bass Guitar for the summer holidays when I was 13. I have since built a glowing reputation as a performer and educator, worldwide. I play bass instruments for Newcastle s own wandering minstrels, the Baghdaddies, as well as being an academic tutor at Sage Gateshead since Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with the Mark Williams trio, Keith Morris, Peter Wiegold, Nitin Sawhney, Brendan Murphy, Paul Edis, Alan Barnes, and Zoe Gilby. Sage Gateshead has been central to my career since it was founded. Studying here, being employed as a trainee and now teaching have been key developments for me as a musician. Not to mention the countless gigs I have played here, in every imaginable performance space. I would wholeheartedly recommend studying music here, as it provides a unique student experience that, in addition to excellent courses and tutors, gives students immediate access to many of the region s most exciting professional projects. My aim for the future is to continue to grow and learn as a musician. 18

20 STUDY MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD Try us out What s it like to be a student at Sage Gateshead? The best way to find out is to get a feel for it yourself and come for a visit. We will gladly give you a tour of our fantastic building and hopefully we can introduce you to some of our current students. Please register your interest with us by ing highereducation@sagegateshead.com and we ll be in touch. You might also like to visit University of Sunderland at one of their open days on campus. For more information, visit the website at Contact us For more information about our courses and staff, please visit Sage Gateshead s website at sagegateshead.com/join-in/further-and-highereducation Otherwise, please feel free to us at highereducation@sagegateshead.com or call the team on +44(0) You can also contact University of Sunderland s Course Helpline on +44(0) or visit Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside sagegateshead.com