Program Overview
ACM's Modern Progressive Music degree specializes in progressive genres like Progressive Rock and Death Metal. It combines advanced musicianship techniques with industry-focused studies in branding, technology, and songwriting. The program offers a range of study modes and a strong faculty of music professionals, fostering a creative environment for students to develop their skills and artistic identity within the modern progressive music landscape.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
ACM’s Modern Progressive Music degree programme is a new, exciting, and highly specialized pathway celebrating modern progressive music genres. The program focuses on techniques like double-bass drum pedal technique, blast beats, high tempos and stamina-demanding performances, unconventional time signatures, ‘riff-based’ song forms, speed-picking, tapping, sweep-picking, experimentation with unconventional harmony and scales, and strong vocal foundations allowing specialization from extreme to operatic vocal performance. Students also explore progressive specialized areas such as branding, marketing, and staging; working with advanced music technology; song composition and analysis; and progressive music case studies from the 1960s to the 2020s. The goal is to create a strong artistic image and technical bedrock for advanced live performances within sub-genres like Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Instrumental Guitar Rock. ACM provides a creative music environment for progressive genres to flourish within the wider music industry. The facilities and tutors are described as cutting-edge and world-class music professionals.
Outline:
The Modern Progressive Music specialism is offered through the Creative Industries Futures course, available as a BA/BSc (Hons) Degree, with an optional Foundation Year or as an integrated MCCI Masters Degree. The course is available in full-time, accelerated, blended, and integrated modes of study, delivered in Birmingham, Guildford, London, and remotely. The duration is 2 years (accelerated) or 3 years (traditional) for the degree, and 3 years (accelerated) including a postgraduate year for the integrated Masters. The FHEQ credits are 360 for the degree and 540 for the integrated Masters. The modules and skills units are subject to change to reflect current industry practices.
- Level 4: Preparing for Collaborative Work (CIF-405), Applied Theory, Aural Skills & Critical Listening (SKU-COM-01), Music, Media and Technology (CIF-402), Music & the Creative Industries (CIF-401), Technical Development (SKU-MUS-01), Ensemble Skills (SKU-MUS-03), The impact and influence of music: from creator to consumer (MIF-404), DAW Composition & Arrangement (SKU-PRO-01), Music, society, and Culture: Perspectives and Debates (MIF-404), Engaging in Collaborative Work (CIF-406).
- Level 5: Research Skills (SKU-MUS-08), Specialist Collaborative Work (CIF-501), Specialist Route Skills (CIF-503A/503S), Professional Collaborative Work (CIF-502), Professional Route Skills (CIF-504A/504S), Arrangement & Advanced Music Literacy (SKU-MUS-07), Improvisation (SKU-MUS-06), Session Styles (SKU-MUS-05), Second Instrument (SKU-MUS-04), Technical Development (2) (SKU-MUS-03).
- Level 6: Pedagogy and Training (SKU-MUS-16), Leadership and CPD (CIF-603), Critical Review (CIF-601A/601S), Leading Professional Collaborative Project (CIF-602), Independent Portfolio (CIF-604A/604S), Freelance Musician (SKU-MUS-14), Studio Musician Practices (SKU-MUS-12), Music Analysis & advanced theory (SKU-MUS-11), Advanced Ensemble and Musical Direction Skills (SKU-MUS-10), Technical Development 3 (SKU-MUS-11).
- Level 7: Making Connections and Building a Community (CIF-704), Professional Practice Frameworks (CIF-701), Applied Research (Focus and Impact on Creative Industries Futures) (CIF-702A/702S), Ideas into Action (CIF-703).
- Foundation Level: Specialist Entry Portfolio (CIF-001), Creative Practice 2: Introduction To Stagecraft, Performance & Collaboration (SKU-FDN-007), Creative Practice 1: Introduction To Instrumental Development (SKU-FDN-006), Academic Practice & Effective Communication (CIF-003), Creative Project Management (CIF-002). These descriptions detail the learning objectives and activities for each module.
Teaching:
The program boasts cutting-edge facilities and world-class music professionals as tutors.
Other:
The program acknowledges a well-established progressive music community. Students have opportunities to work while on the program, even gaining academic credits for their work, particularly within the accelerated program. The accelerated degree program is described as condensing a three-year degree into two years through an extra summer term. ACM's industry connections, partnerships, and vocational project briefs provide numerous work opportunities.
The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) is a premier institution specializing in music and creative arts education, with campuses in Guildford, Surrey; Birmingham; and London, England. Established in 1997, ACM offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for careers in the creative industries.
Programs and Courses
ACM provides diverse courses across several academies:
- Music Academy: Focuses on ensemble skills, recording techniques, technical development, collaboration, and artist development.
- Game Academy: Offers instruction in design, programming, audio, business, and art animation.
- Business Academy: Covers areas such as artist and tour management, creative entrepreneurship, marketing, and distribution.
- Film Academy: Includes training in podcast and radio broadcasting, live radio studios, branding, audience engagement, digital marketing, and social media strategy.
- Live Sound: Emphasizes touring, venue operations, lighting/AV, rigging, and backline management.
- Sound Technology: Focuses on hands-on learning in recording, mixing/mastering, and collaboration with industry professionals.
- Postgraduate Programs: Designed for advanced industry engagement, leadership development, and project planning to launch careers.
Industry Partnerships
ACM maintains strong ties with the industry, notably through its exclusive association with Metropolis Studios in London. This partnership offers students unparalleled access to a working commercial studio environment, bridging the gap between education and industry.
Campuses
Students can choose to study at one of ACM's three campuses:
- London (Brixton): Located in the heart of the city's vibrant music scene.
- Birmingham: Situated in a dynamic and culturally rich urban center.
- Guildford: The original campus offering a blend of historic charm and modern facilities.
Notable Alumni
ACM boasts a roster of successful alumni, including:
- Newton Faulkner: Singer-songwriter known for his album "Hand Built By Robots."
- Amelle Berrabah: Member of the pop group Sugababes.
- Ben King: Lead guitarist of The Yardbirds.
- Matty Healy: Lead vocalist and guitarist of The 1975.
- Ed Sheeran: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.
Entry Requirements:
All candidates will be required to attend an audition/interview. For the 2-year degree, applicants should hold at least two Cs at A-Level (or an equivalent Level 3 qualification), possessing a minimum of 104 UCAS points (using the 2017 tariff system). A Grade C/4 GCSE (or equivalent) in English is normally required. Fluency in English is essential, with the ability to structure arguments and present evidence to a Level 4 standard. Additional documentary evidence may be requested if application materials are insufficient. International students whose first language is not English must achieve IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or an equivalent qualification. Applications from those with alternative qualifications and/or prior experience are welcomed and considered on a case-by-case basis. For the Foundation Level 0, a Grade C/4 GCSE (or equivalent) in English is normally required, along with fluency in English and the ability to structure arguments and present evidence to a Level 0 standard. Additional documentary evidence may be requested. International students whose first language is not English must achieve IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or an equivalent qualification. Applications from those with alternative qualifications and/or prior experience are welcomed and considered on a case-by-case basis. For the Masters Level, all applicants will undertake an audition assessing suitability based on subject and academic ability.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have achieved IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or an equivalent qualification for both the 2-year degree and Foundation Level 0.
