UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Programme Title: Awarding Body: Teaching Institution: Final Awards: Intermediate Awards: Mode of Study: UCAS Codes: QAA Benchmarks: Music Business and Production Staffordshire University Staffordshire University BA [Hons] BA; Cert HE; Dip HE Music Business and Production Full time; PT W37P Music Date of Production: July 2015 Date of Revision: May 2015 If you require this document in a larger text or a different media please contact us
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME BA [Hons] Music Business and Production The music industry has experienced massive changes in recent years. Since the advent of faster computers and internet connections, the way that people purchase and consume music, discover new artists, find out about music events, even support their favourite bands and artists has changed the way that the creative industries work and trade. Coupled with the way that music is recorded and produced, this has created new challenges for professionals working within the music industry. The BA [Hons] Business and Music Production course is designed to develop skills, knowledge and experience in business areas related to the Music Industry as well as audio production and recording. The course focuses on areas such as music business management, promotion and marketing and tools, social media and the internet to maximise on music sales and live performance. You will also, using our state of the art facilities, examine the creative practices used within the Music Industry. Through research, practical experimentation and development of critical skills, you will acquire the knowledge, practical and creative skills required to succeed in the Music Industry. During your first year [level 4] you will learn the basic of marketing a product, reviewing both traditional and new media approaches and analyse the constantly shifting requirements of each. You will examine laws and contracts relating to copyright and intellectual property within the creative industries and the ways of providing legal protection for individuals and companies. You will also learn the basics of audio creation and production, audio recording and editing and audio fundamentals to provide you with key skills required for working within studio and production environments. In your second year [level 5] you will examine market research, budgeting, scheduling and cashflow issues relating to a promotional campaign for a music related product. You will consider various promotional approaches and will assess the advantages and disadvantages of their effectiveness within a marketing campaign. You will also learn specialist production and studio skills and apply this knowledge to produce audio productions and mixes of artists and bands using a range of equipment and software within a commercial recording setting. In your final year [level 6] you will focus on your project dissertation and portfolio. This is the pinnacle of your studies and will be the study of a specialist subject of your choice. Supported and guided by an academic member of staff, you will produce a written dissertation and physical piece of work [the promotion of an event, a recording and promotional package for an artist etc.] to demonstrate all of the skills and knowledge you have gained during your studies. You will also be required to plan and execute the management of some kind of music business activity During your final year year. This could be taking over the management of a band, artist, DJ or performer which are already signed to the university record company, Phoenix Records, or scouting, recruiting and signing a new band, artist, DJ or performer from inside or outside the university. You will also develop advanced skills in mixing and mastering processes. 2
The aims of the course are: To develop production, practical and theoretical skills in all areas of music business and management and music and audio creation. To develop critical listening skills and develop imaginative concepts and ideas to create commercial music productions To prepare students for a range of careers in the music industry in terms of creative, technical and business skills To develop academic, creative and communication skills and develop a portfolio of work to demonstrate these skills To prepare students for the changing world of the creative industries and develop skills in order to create innovative ways of working to remain world leaders in their field On completion of a course graduates should be able to: Utilise business and marketing strategies to enable the promotion and sale of a Music Business related product. Understand the nature of sound, how to record, manipulate and process it to create audio productions to a commercial level. Evaluate the music industry and create and develop entrepreneurial skills to maximise business opportunities Specify, design and manage technology systems in Music and Entertainment industries. What is distinctive about this programme? This course is distinct from other similar courses in that: It strikes an excellent balance between music business, promotion and marketing skills and well as music creativity and technology. Our facilities and equipment are all industry standard giving students the confidence and experience in operating the kind of equipment used by the creative industries. You will be taught by specialist lecturers with many years of experience in their field. We also have many specialist workshops, world renowned guest lecturers and demonstrations by experts with unique industry insight. Through a range of optional modules, the course allows you to develop specialisms in a range of areas: whether you wish to concentrate on marketing and promotion, artist management, running a record company or any other music business etc. you will be able to tailor your course to your own design. The course is very practically based: whilst there are modules where written and presentation work is a key element of your assessment, the demonstration of your practical and creative skills are the key part of your success on this award. The multi-disciplinary nature of these courses provides a range of graduates for the music and creative industries. It is expected that graduates will be well-equipped for jobs in areas including but not limited to: Working within record companies or other music related businesses Music distribution 3
Event and artist management Recording studios Pre- and post-production facilities Television, satellite and radio broadcasting Sound/music for film/tv/video Sound/music for games and apps Live sound and theatre Interactive Multimedia Design Music and media education Collaborative/community arts Composing/recording/performing artists This award is part of a suite of awards offered by the music department which includes Science and Arts awards, other awards you may be interested in: BSc [Hons] Music Technology BSc [Hons] Sound Design BA [Hons] Electronic Music [Composition & performance] BA [Hons] Music Production All of the Music Courses share key themes and learning outcomes. These themes are: Business [e.g. industry knowledge, entrepreneurship] Specialist Technologies [ability to understand and use music production hardware and software] Creativity [e.g. composing music, live performance] Production [e.g. recording techniques, creating custom sounds for film/games] The difference between the courses is the emphasis on these themes. In each course, elements of these themes may be core, supplementary or optional as shown in the following table: 4
This table shows in the Music Business and Production award, Management, Marketing and Events are high on the agenda. There is slightly less but still significant emphasis on learning about production and engineering elements. The Staffordshire Graduate The Staffordshire Graduate represents a set of qualities that the University passionately believes is necessary for success in the 21st century. The Staffordshire Graduate is a reflective and critical learner with a global perspective, prepared to contribute in the world of work. The Staffordshire Graduate attributes will be incorporated into core modules on all of the Music technology awards in this programme. Examples of these learning activities are: Working both individually and in teams to manage a Music related business/product. Learning and utilising several different web portals to maximise promotion and exposure of an artist. Being encouraged to entrepreneurial by creating a Music Business in small teams. Working in teams to record and produce a group of musicians in a Recording Studio, to a set deadline. Manipulate previously recorded material to create new and exciting musical productions. There are several modules that involve students working together across different levels and the aim of these modules is to directly address the attributes of the Staffordshire Graduate. For instance, in Level 5 Music Business - Promotion module, students will promote a Level 4 band, and, working with other awards such as Music Journalism, promote an event to the general public. This module develops confidence, team working and entrepreneurial skills. 5
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you should be able to: Knowledge & Understanding Learning Enquiry Analysis Problem Solving Communication Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key concepts in the music industry and music production. creation Demonstrate a critical understanding of wider music industry. Demonstrate and develop a reflective approach to learning in a modern business environment. Show a professional approach to research and information gathering. Analyse the effectiveness and use of technology and techniques for music promotion and a music production situation. Demonstrate promotion, marketing and organisational skills and use these to solve music related problems Communicate the results of audio project work accurately, reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments in both written form and orally. Understand the limits of their knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge. Demonstrate ability to independently seek and present information from existing literature. Understand the efficiency of a range of technologies and techniques for music promotion and a music production situation. Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving a variety of business and audio production problems and propose solutions based on analysis of novel situations. Communicate effectively information and arguments in written, oral, online and digital recordings, to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of music business management and audio Demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge. Demonstrate ability to carry out a research project incorporating quantitative testing, qualitative analysis and ethical considerations. Discuss various contemporary technologies and techniques from current research and practice. Critically evaluate their application. Frame business and audio production problems as appropriate questions to devise a range of solutions in unfamiliar contexts. Communicate and analyse business, management, audio production, information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and nonspecialist audiences. Application Reflection Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, using ideas and techniques, some of which maybe at the forefront of business, music, sound and audio. Demonstrate ability to work independently on practical and academic projects. Apply underlying concepts and principles in new contexts through independent study. Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for their own learning by identifying and developing new skills. Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, using ideas and techniques, some of which maybe at the forefront of music business and music production Manage their own learning, exercise initiative and apply critical reasoning and argument in the undertaking of business related projects and assessment. 6
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS L E V E L 4 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 MUSI40600 Recording Studio Production MUSI40601 Creative Music Practice 1 MUSI40627 Revolutions in Music MUSI40604 Music Business Marketing L E V E L 5 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 MUSI50617 DAW Production Techniques MUSI50608 Practical Studio Techniques MUSI50607 Music Business Promotion LEVEL 5 OPTION [1x 30-credit module] *LEVEL 5 OPTIONS [Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 ] CATS MUSI50610 Sound Design for Film and Games 30 MUSI50605 Digital Performance Applications 30 MUSI50611 Studio and Venue Acoustics 30 MUSI50615 Creative Software Tools for Sound 2 30 MUSI50614 Creative Music Practice 2 30 L E V E L 6 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 MUSI60626 Music Business Management MUSI60152 Individual Music Technology Project MUSI60137 Individual Music Portfolio LEVEL 6 OPTION [2x 15-credit modules] OR [1x 30-credit modules] *LEVEL 6 OPTIONS Teaching Block 1 Cats Teaching Block 2 Cats MUSI60150 Sound for Mobile Devices 15 MUSI60130 Commercial Recording Management 15 MUSI60619 Studio Mixing Techniques 15 MUSI60279 Advanced Pro Tools 15 EDUC60230 Teacher Training 15 MUSI60621 Mastering Techniques 15 FILM60195 Work Experience 15 FILM60195 Work Experience 15 MUSI60153 Music Placement 15 MUSI60153 Music Placement 15 MUSI60618 Mixing and Production Management 30 MUSI60625 Intermedia Art 30 *All optional modules are subject to availability 7
HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED? Teaching and Learning The range of teaching methods depends on the individual module and can be either lectures, tutorials, group work or laboratory sessions in a studio or learning centre environment. Full details of learning opportunities are shown within individual module handbooks and all modules are supported from our virtual learning environment Blackboard. Teaching methods will vary from module to module but most are a combination of lectures and practical sessions. At Levels 4 and 5 the students have a great deal of experience working as part of a team in several modules and throughout the course they are assessed in a variety of ways i.e. exams, reports, practical work, presentations etc. Employability is at the core of the design of these courses and the learning strategy reflects that. Employability is determined by three main areas: Acquisition of Technical Skills Learning about the Business Environment Personal Development Planning [PDP] Your lecturers have a wide range of industrial and academic experience. Many have worked in the industry for many years and also have studied or are studying towards PhD level. This knowledge, experience and research is used to form the basis of your lectures and tutorials to ensure you have up-to-date skills and benefit from the best research currently available. All of the academic team are also members of the Higher Education Academy, a national body which recognises teaching quality. As described earlier in this document, we also invite visiting lecturers to give talks giving a unique insight into the music industry by world renowned producers, songwriters and musicians. All courses will give students the option to study these key areas throughout their degree. Each course has specific technical skills which are taught, as well as access to business modules to develop their overall business awareness. Independent learning is a key element to all University courses and to assist you there is a range of technical instruction [TI] sessions run by our teaching support staff to supplement the learning process. In addition our library offers a huge range of resources to aid your study and research including free access to Lynda.com online training library, British Standards and a large collection of ebooks. 8
Assessment A range of assessment techniques are used, including presentations, written reports, practical work, oral tests, online tests, exams, class tests and group work. The method of assessment has been carefully considered for each learning outcome of each module and the most appropriate method to assess that outcome has been used. An example of this is the level 6 module Music Business Marketing. During this module you will need to coordinate the creation of a product or service from the band artist, DJ or performer to take to market. You will need to engage the services of other students to plan and execute a marketing campaign for a specific product or service towards the end of the year. You will be required to give a 30 minute Individual planning presentation and interview detailing the proposed activities to further the position of the chosen music business product. You will also develop an Individual management portfolio reflecting your contribution to a music business product. You will be assessed your presentation skills, your ability to effectively plan and project manage a business plan, and your management portfolio reflecting your contribution to the project, and your ability to undertake your role in the project. Throughout the awards the majority of assessments are course work based. There are no exams in Level 4 but a number of on-line multiple choice tests have been introduced via Blackboard. The module assessments are designed not only to assess your progress but also to help you develop a portfolio of work to use as a 'showreel' to prospective employers. As the creative industries are largely interested in the quality of the creative output of its employees as well as their academic skills and their ability to learn, it is vital that assessments of your modules reflect the nature of industry requirements The vast majority of written assessment will be handed in electronically through our online virtual learning environment and the deadline for these assessments is usually 12:00 midnight on the hand in date. However, if you are required to hand in a printed copy this would be in the Faculty Office. Instructions for the submission of practical assignments will be included in the relevant module handbooks. 9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Entry Requirements [including IELTS score] The standard entry requirements are 280 points with a minimum of 240 points. For the Music Technology awards, students are not required to have any prior formal music qualifications but your experience will affect your option choices in the first year. Mature students will be individually reviewed for admission dependant on experience. This is normally reviewed by a formal interview. An IELTS Score of 6.5 is required where applicable Can I join the course at level 5 or 6? An applicant having an HND or Foundation Degree in an appropriate subject will be eligible for direct at a suitable point on the course or onto a Top-up course to be determined by the Academic Group Leader and the Course Leader. Disability Statement Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study/disabled/support/ AWARD SPECIFIC INFORMATION Students must achieve at least 20% in each element of assessment in every module. Students must achieve a minimum of 40% overall to pass each module. Students are eligible to undertake a placement, completion of which leads to the award of a sandwich degree. In order to qualify for the award of an Honours degree both final year project modules [Dissertation & Portfolio] must be passed. Further information about the award can be found in the relevant Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes information about optional modules, learning outcomes at levels below honours, student support, and academic regulations. ==================================== 10
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