BA (Hons) Music for Performance and Teaching
Welcome to Music for Performance and Teaching
Musicians studying on the BA (Hons) Music for Performance and Teaching benefit from a combined focus on performance and instrumental/vocal teaching. The two disciplines complement each other well: a high level of performance skills develops the musical understanding needed for effective teaching; the aural, analytical and reflective skills needed for music education cultivate a deeper understanding of musical self-development.
Creativity and innovation are cornerstones of the flourishing creative and cultural economy. Employment led curriculum provides our students with the capacity to be adaptive and reflective practitioners. Our students demonstrate the breadth of creative talent and versatility possible within the creative arts, as seen in the outstanding performances at local venues such as the Mercury Theatre, Headgate Theatre, in the London West End, and the Brighton Fringe Festival. We work closely with local schools, Essex Music Services, Creative Colchester, Film Suffolk, and the Dance Network Association to enable students to engage with a broader arts network.
Course IntroductionModulesEntry RequirementsGraduate CareersAdditional
Your profile
You are a passionate performer and a creative musician who understands the role that music education can play in transforming lives. You are ready to take your musical skills to the next level and inspire the next generation.
Your subject
Musicians who work as performers and teachers enjoy a diverse career that combines a vast range of musical and educational projects with a wide variety of performance venues and teaching environments. Performers that teach are able to inspire their students through high levels of musical skill, knowledge and the ability to communicate.
Your course
As a performer, you will be trained through individual lessons in your first study instrument and will develop your performance skills through group workshops, recitals and gigs. As a musician, you will broaden your knowledge through a study of practical musicianship, theory, analysis and music business. As an educator, you will deepen your understanding of music teaching and develop skills in one-to-one tuition and workshop leadership. Through a combination of practical music making and lectures you will cover a range of topics that includes musical performance, composition, music technology, music business, educational theory and music teaching. You will be inspired by tutors who are highly experienced in both creative music and music education, and will benefit from the use of recording and technology studios, bookable practice rooms, an established performance venue, a variety of classroom settings and a range of local venues.
Your future
You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence required for setting up your own business as a performer and music teacher. You will have the necessary qualifications and experience to undertake a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which will enable you to teach in primary or secondary schools, or in colleges. You may also use the BA (Hons) Music for Performance and Teaching degree as a stepping stone for moving on to postgraduate study.
Undergraduate courses operate on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 30/40 or 15/20 academic credits (depending on the programme), with each credit taken equating to a total amount of study time which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Most full-time students will take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.
Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.
96 UCAS points* (normally 2 or more A Levels including Music or Music Technology, or BTEC Extended Diploma in Music). An appropriate level of practical instrumental or vocal performance skill. (It is not a prerequisite for entry to have passed a graded examination in instrumental or vocal performance but a standard equivalent to grade seven will be expected).
Entry is normally by audition/interview which will include instrumental or vocal performance and consideration of previous musical experience. Applicants are advised to bring a portfolio of evidence that could include recordings, compositions or academic work.
For mature applicants with non-standard academic qualifications, Admission Tutors will assess the applicant’s ability to succeed on the course, taking into account their past experience in relevant areas.
A satisfactory enhanced DBS check will be required for the second year of the course.
*UCAS Tariff points where shown, are for entry on to higher education programmes starting from September 2022.
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.
Additional requirements for International Students:
- You must provide evidence of having been in general education for at least 10 years and of having studied within the last five years
- a face-to-face interview is required before an offer is made.
What our Graduates do
Graduates can develop self-employment opportunities in music education that include 1-1 instrumental/vocal tuition, workshop delivery and leadership. Graduates may also progress to postgraduate study at MA level and higher, or to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for those wishing to pursue a career in classroom teaching.
Timetables: Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week.
Teaching and Learning: You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures.
When not attending lectures, seminars and practicals or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations
Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.
Disclaimer
All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2021-22 academic year and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
The course information describes programmes offered by University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
