BA (Hons) Music Production & Vocal Performance Degree

Program Overview

---

This accelerated 2-year Music Production and Vocal Performance degree prepares you for a career in the music industry. With modules covering music production, vocal performance, songwriting, and marketing, you will develop the skills needed to be a successful artist, producer, or songwriter. The program's small class sizes ensure ample one-on-one time with industry professional lecturers, and its location in Shoreditch provides access to London's music scene.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

Do you want to create your own music and perfect your vocals and live performance? Then the Music Production and Vocal Performance degree is for you! This course is developed and taught by industry professionals who’ve worked with massive stars such as Pharrell Williams, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Rihanna. After completing this accelerated 2-year degree, you will be ready to begin a career as a singer/songwriter, music producer, lyricist, composer, musical director, vocal producer, coach, arranger and many more. You will learn: Music Production (Ableton Live or Logic Pro), Vocal Performance, Music Composition, Vocal Musicianship, Sound Engineering, Music Industry, Studio Vocal Production, Songwriting & Lyrics, Art of Mixing, Electronic Music Performance, Marketing & Branding, Live Vocal Techniques, Advanced Composition, Session Singing & Improvisation, Showcase, Professional Portfolio Research, Professional Portfolio Project, Music Entrepreneur. Point Blank classes are small to ensure you receive ample 1-2-1 time with your lecturers. Our studios are located in Shoreditch—a global hub of London music venues and bars—and include industry-standard, state-of-the-art technology, from microphones to mixing desks.

---

Outline:

---

Duration:

2 Years

---

Available start dates:

• 2024
• 2025
• 2026
• 30 September (Limited availability)
• 6 October
• 12 January
• 13 April

---

UCAS code:

VPY2

---

Modules:

---

Year 1

• Learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realization of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques.
• You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.
• Topics covered:
• The Production Process
• Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony Production
• Drum Programming
• Pre-Production and File Management Techniques
• MIDI and Audio Processing Techniques
• Flex Time & Flex Pitch
• Introduction to Synthesis and Sampling
• Track Arrangement & Automation
• Mixing & Exporting
• Learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realization of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques.
• You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.
• Topics covered:
• The Production Process
• Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony Production
• Drum Programming
• Pre-Production and File Management Techniques
• MIDI and Audio Processing Techniques
• Warping
• Introduction to Synthesis and Sampling
• Track Arrangement & Automation
• Mixing & Exporting
• MIDI Controllers and MIDI Mapping
• Module 2: Vocal Performance
• Learn to harness your vocal talent and develop your technical skills whilst keeping yourself safe and healthy.
• Build a practice routine to improve your consistency and range.
• Work on your intonation and note production to enhance the accuracy of your performance.
• Unlock meaning and emotion in your performances using phrasing and articulation.
• Develop your breathing techniques to control your voice and your nerves.
• Understand how to pick repertoire that suits your voice and style.
• Topics covered:
• Breathing Techniques
• Developing Vocal Range
• Pitching and Intonation
• Dynamic Control
• Diction
• Note Production
• Practice Routines
• Developing Repertoire
• Posture
• Phrasing
• Articulation
• Vocal Health
• Module 3: Music Composition
• Compositional proficiency is a core skill for contemporary producers and artists, equipping them with the ability to realize their creative ambitions and make more informed production decisions, whilst helping them become professionally competitive.
• Explore the core elements of musical composition: rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, and arrangement.
• Develop compositional techniques through practical application of music theory using music software.
• Focus explicitly on commercial western popular musical styles, genres and their aesthetics.
• You will have the opportunity to investigate technical and stylistic aspects of these styles and genres, developing your confidence and abilities in composition.
• You will gain experience in composing original musical elements and arranging these elements into a full composition.
• Topics covered:
• Commercial Composition Techniques
• Use of Rhythm in Drum-Beats and Melodies
• Key, Modes, and Scales
• Use of Harmony: Chord Sequences and Modulation
• Use of Melodies
• Writing Basslines
• Composing Musical 'Hooks'
• Form, Structure and Arrangement
• Listening and Analysis

---

Term 2:

• Module 4: Vocal Musicianship
• Listening is the key to developing your vocal performance and honing your songwriting craft.
• Understand musical language and familiarize yourself with musical notation.
• Develop musical techniques and build your keyboard skills to get your ideas down and communicate them to others.
• Analyze key genres and iconic artists in the history of vocal music to give you loads of inspiration to bring to your sets and your songs.
• Topics covered:
• Ear Training
• Notation
• Pitch Transcription
• Rhythmic Transcription
• Lead Sheets
• Keyboard Skills
• Musical Analysis
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Blues
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Soul
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Pop
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Hip Hop
• Vocal Genres & Artists: EDM
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Grime
• Module 5: Sound Engineering
• Aims to develop technical skills in studio recording, explaining the basic requirements of signal flow, microphone placement, and corrective editing.
• You will have access to industry-standard studios and a range of specialist equipment to record, edit and manipulate a range of audio sources.
• Opportunities for you to work as an integrated member of a team whilst working in a variety of vocational contexts.
• By focusing on modern engineering essentials, you will acquire knowledge and skills that you can apply in a variety of studio environments, from small home-based setups to large professional facilities.
• Topics covered:
• Signal Flow and Routing
• Gain Staging and Signal To Noise Considerations
• Microphone Types and Techniques
• Correct Implementation of Outboard Equipment
• Phase Coherency
• Professional Recording Practices
• Evaluating Audio
• Editing Techniques – Comping, Timing Correction and Cleaning-Up
• Module 6: Music Industry
• Aims to provide an overview of the music industry: what are the different components and how do they operate and interlink?
• Develop an awareness of different revenue sources, analyzing areas including record labels, publishing, independent artists, digital distribution, and the varied ways that money flows through the industry.
• The importance and value of copyright will be explored, along with different music industry deals and agreements.
• The knowledge, skills, and understanding developed in this module will provide you with the foundation for a successful and sustainable career within the music industry.
• Topics covered:
• Introduction to the Music Industry
• Music Copyrights
• Major and Independent Record Labels
• Music Publishers
• Music Distribution and Consumption
• Music Streaming
• The Independent Artist Route
• Artist Management
• The live sector
• Contracts & agreements
• Negotiation skills
• Synchronisation
• Build on your sound engineering knowledge by exploring specialist vocal hardware and recording techniques.
• Create a polished professional vocal performance by looking at timing and pitch correction.
• Topics covered:
• Vocal Microphones and Preamps
• Vocal Recording Techniques
• Comping and Looping
• Vocal EQ & Dynamic Processing
• FX for Voice
• Compression and Processing to Tape
• Editing Techniques
• Creative and Corrective Auto-Tuning
• Correcting Vocal Timing and Synching
• BVs
• Studio Performance Techniques
• Communication and Getting the Best Out of the Performer
• Module 8: Songwriting & Lyrics
• Focus your composition skills into songwriting and telling stories through your music.
• Explore a range of techniques such as characterization, perspective and rhyming scheme.
• Understand how to execute modulations and use structural techniques to add variety and shape to your songs.
• Topics covered:
• Song Form
• Telling a Story
• Narrative flow
• POV and Tense
• Rhyming Schemes
• Word Painting
• Melodic Meter and Scansion
• Counter Melodies
• Hook lines
• Chord Structures
• Modulation

---

Term 4:

• Module 9: Art of Mixing
• Mixing is a crucial stage in the production process and this module aims to develop your skills as a competent mix engineer.
• What are the processes, equipment, considerations, and techniques involved in creating professional sounding commercial mixes?
• Critical listening will be developed alongside technical and creative skills which are essential to successful mixing and production.
• Mixing is a key skill for producers and offers a variety of potential career paths.
• Topics covered:
• Mixing Procedures and Techniques
• Critical Listening
• Signal Paths and Routing
• Aux Sends vs Insert Processing
• Stereo Width
• Dynamic Processing
• Corrective and Creative Equalisation & Filters
• Timbre and Harmonics
• Creating Depth through Reverberation and Delay Effects
• Modulation Effects & Distortion
• Creative Mixing Techniques
• Module 10: Electronic Music Performance
• Designed to help you transfer your existing music production skills into a performance context to potentially increase the value of your artist profile and brand.
• You will explore the integration of hardware devices and controllers to manipulate sound and musical structure, working with a blend of prepared material and improvisation.
• The module seeks to introduce a further degree of musicianship and improved workflow back into existing studio-based practices.
• There are further vocational benefits to possessing technical knowledge and the ability to problem solve.
• Live performance can include edited online video presentations, a live-streaming concert or a gig at a music venue/club/festival.
• Topics covered:
• Session View in Ableton Live
• Live Loops area in Logic Pro X
• Multi-Channel Playback
• Live Remixing
• Liveset Design Concepts
• Adapting Production Work for a Performance
• Custom Audio Effects and Instruments
• Live Looping and Composition
• Planning a Set of Music
• Working With Hardware
• Building a Show – Use of Technology and Video
• Collaboration with Other Musicians/Artists/Techs

---

Year 2

---

Term 5:

• Module 11: Marketing & Branding
• For anyone wanting to establish a career in the music industry, a knowledge of marketing and branding is essential.
• Branding is important for creating a memorable impression and distinguishing from others.
• You will explore various artist, business, and personal brands and analyze them to discover the various elements and approaches that make them successful, or unsuccessful.
• You will develop and apply practical skills to establish your own brand, ready for launch within the music industry.
• You will discover and experiment with different marketing theories, strategies, and tactics and examine how effectively these can be used within the music industry.
• You will have the opportunity to take previously introduced branding approaches and apply these towards artist branding within a marketing context.
• Outside of the music industry these are valuable skills that can be applied across a range of careers.
• This module is designed to enable you to develop your own brand and develop the knowledge and skills required to grow this brand within the music industry.
• Topics covered:
• Building and Maintaining a Brand
• Design and Content Tools
• Digital Marketing
• Release Marketing
• Marketing Strategies and Plans
• Publicity and Radio
• Marketing on a Budget
• Module 12: Live Vocal Techniques
• Singing live is a very different prospect to performing under the microscope of the studio and one of the most rewarding.
• Build your confidence in singing to an audience and learn to command a stage, put together a set list and control the microphone.
• Explore the technology and process involved in running a gig including setting up a monitor mix and avoiding feedback so you can get the best out of any live performance.
• Topics covered:
• Vocal Clarity
• Building a Set
• Singing Backing Vocals
• Cover Versions
• Movement
• Microphone Techniques
• PA Equipment
• Avoiding Feedback
• Monitors and Monitor Mixes
• The Gig Process
• Performing Live Safely

---

Term 6:

• Module 13: Advanced Composition
• Expand your knowledge base of stylistic, rhythmic, harmonic, and structural conventions and gain skill in their application through practice and analysis following the maxim described by Clark Terry as “imitate, assimilate, innovate".
• Focus on developing an individual compositional voice by examining and assimilating the features of acclaimed musical works and music that aligns with personal goals.
• Challenge your notions of taste and aesthetics by asking such questions as: where is the line between music and noise?
What is style?
• This personal exploration will be underpinned by the technical study of musical forms, theories of rhythm and harmony, extra-musical stimuli, and contemporary methods of sonic manipulation.
• Topics covered:
• Aesthetics of Music
• Implementing Concepts Drawn From a Musical Analysis
• Composing in Traditional and Novel Forms and Structures
• Composing for Electronic and Acoustic Instruments
• Non-Western Music Traditions
• Creative Strategies: Experimentation and Improvisation
• Understanding and Developing a Compositional Brief
• Developing a Portfolio and the Composer’s Place in the Music Industry
• Module 14: Session Singing & Improvisation
• A skilled vocalist is much in demand and in many situations in your career you may find yourself working as an artist or vocalist on another producer's track.
• Command of tone and an understanding of genre based techniques will enable you to perform convincingly in a range of styles.
• Practice your improvisation techniques to confidently perform solos, adlibs and make up backing harmonies on the fly.
• Develop collaborative techniques and organisation skills to work effectively on projects with others.
• Topics covered:
• Preparing for Sessions
• Improvising in Genre
• Sightreading Leadsheets
• Improvising Melodies
• Improvising Lyrics
• Backing Harmonies
• Collaborative Work

---

Term 7:

• Module 15: Showcase
• As the culmination of your performance studies, it's time to showcase your talent to the world.
• Prepare an extended set which effectively sells your musical style and vocal technical expertise to the public.
• Hone your visual style and persona as an artist to effectively convey your brand.
• Keep your audience entertained and engaged during your performance.
• Manage your set and lighting to create a dynamic performance.
• Topics covered:
• Brand Style
• Visual Communication
• Developing Vocal Stamina
• Performing an Extended Set
• Support Acts
• Engaging an Audience
• Set flow and Segues
• Creating Tech Riders
• Channel lists
• Rehearsal process
• Guest Masterclass
• Module 16: Professional Portfolio (I)
• Professional Portfolio provides students with the opportunity to develop a substantial portfolio of work - based on a specialist area of interest and grounded in academic principles - which is specifically related to a future professional role that they may intend to pursue, thereby linking studies with intended career paths.
• Students will hone their focus on specific aspects of their previous studies through an initial process of individual research, whilst further developing related specialist skills and technical understanding to professional standards through practical application in the creation of a Final Major Project that can be used to support future employment and practice.
• The module will also nurture the essential skills of research, critical analysis and reflection that are integral to being a successful professional and/or creative practitioner.
• Working largely autonomously, through a combination of lectures, self-directed study, and individual tutorial support, students will develop and demonstrate the core graduate attributes of independence, autonomy, and successful project planning and management that are integral to potential professional roles.
• Topics covered:
• Identifying Appropriate Subject Specialisms as the Basis for a Specialist Project
• Developing Attributes for Successful Professional Practice
• Planning and Managing a Substantial Project
• Conducting Research and Gathering Appropriate Specialist Materials
• Critically Analysing Selected Research Materials
• Evidencing Research-Based Practice
• Demonstrating Specialised Technical Skills Practically
• Exploring Originality, Creativity and Artistry
• Formatting a Portfolio of Work to Professional Standards

---

Term 8:

• Module 17: Professional Portfolio (II)
• Professional Portfolio provides students with the opportunity to develop a substantial portfolio of work - based on a specialist area of interest and grounded in academic principles - which is specifically related to a future professional role that they may intend to pursue, thereby linking studies with intended career paths.
• Students will hone their focus on specific aspects of their previous studies through an initial process of individual research, whilst further developing related specialist skills and technical understanding to professional standards through practical application in the creation of a Final Major Project that can be used to support future employment and practice.
• The module will also nurture the essential skills of research, critical analysis and reflection that are integral to being a successful professional and/or creative practitioner.
• Working largely autonomously, through a combination of lectures, self-directed study, and individual tutorial support, students will develop and demonstrate the core graduate attributes of independence, autonomy, and successful project planning and management that are integral to potential professional roles.
• Topics covered:
• Identifying Appropriate Subject Specialisms as the Basis for a Specialist Project
• Developing Attributes for Successful Professional Practice
• Planning and Managing a Substantial Project
• Conducting Research and Gathering Appropriate Specialist Materials
• Critically Analysing Selected Research Materials
• Evidencing Research-Based Practice
• Demonstrating Specialised Technical Skills Practically
• Exploring Originality, Creativity and Artistry
• Throughout this module, you will work on the development of a self-directed plan – this can be a release plan for your music, a marketing strategy, a business plan or a career plan, potentially linking with the Professional Portfolio modules.
• You will develop a range of soft and functional skills such as communication, teamwork, research, feedback, financial, planning and more.
• The module should inspire you to develop innovative and entrepreneurial plans and should equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to further develop professionally.
• It will prepare you for a working environment, allowing you to plan your next steps and present career opportunities.
• Topics covered:
• Critical Evaluation and Communication
• Carrying out Research
• Business Models & Opportunities
• Business Planning
• Professional Development
• Career Planning
• Artist Development
• Release Planning
• Pitch Decks

---

Assessment:

Assessment is how we gauge your success on a course. You will be expected to take part in the following types of assessment during this course: Assignments - these are designed to measure what you have achieved during a module and therefore the grade you will be awarded. To make it possible for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, students will be asked to produce work in varying formats depending on your course including compositions, creative projects, written work, reports, performances, presentations, 1-2-1 discussions, recordings and timed music industry-based briefs.

---

Teaching:

On our higher education programmes, students take part in a variety of intimate lectures (up to 16 students) and workshops. When not attending these sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study. During this time, you can take advantage of:

• Our state-of-the-art facilities and private practice spaces across two buildings.
• 1-2-1 Tutorials with lecturers to help you focus on your assignments.
• Studio Lab Time with support staff (up to five per week depending on availability) to help you with your technical set up and assignments.
• Extra workshops with music industry professionals.
A degree course consists of academic levels 4, 5 and 6. Each level consists of 120 credits. Each module is worth 20 credits and students are expected to study 10 hours per week per module (4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of independent learning).

---

Careers:

Singer/Songwriter Music Producer Lyricist Composer Vocal Producer Solo Artist/Lead Vocalist Vocal Arranger Vocal top liner Audio Engineer Singing/Vocal Coach Musical Director Artist Manager

---

Other:

Our studios are located in Shoreditch—a global hub of London music venues and bars—and include industry-standard, state-of-the-art technology, from microphones to mixing desks.

• Antoine, BA (Hons) graduate

---

Tuition Fees:

• UK: £11,100 per year
• Non-UK: £15,750 per year

---

Payment:

• Being an undergraduate student involves two main expenses: tuition fees and living costs.
This will be up to £9,250 per year for courses with standard delivery, or up to £11,100 per year for courses with accelerated delivery.
• In addition, eligible students may be entitled to a maintenance loan of up to £12,382 per year.
• The amount of maintenance you can apply for will depend on your circumstances.
• For students wishing to pay privately, we have a number of payment plans available, including annual and termly instalments.