Music Production

Get to grips with the technical side of the music industry. Learn how to manage projects, the recording studio and live events and discover the elements of the modern producer’s toolkit. You’ll take part in exciting practical briefs and experiment with techniques, whilst also learning the right theory to understand how and why music works. You’ll be inspired to perfect your own style of music creation and production – and then learn how to sell yourself and your music.

This course is perfect step for students looking to develop skills, gain work in the rapidly developing music industry, or progress onto higher education.

What you’ll learn  

Throughout this course you’ll learn the ins and outs of music event management, and how to run events from technical perspective. You’ll master the modern producer's toolkit and bring your creativity to life in the studio and on a Digital Audio Workstation. Through a blend of hands-on practice and theoretical study, you'll tackle practical briefs, experiment with a mix of techniques and musical styles.

Along the way you’ll develop your own production skills. Our fantastic range of kit means that you can combine the sonic benefits of analogue mixing and processing technology with the accessibility and control of digital recording and editing whilst you find your unique style. With fully equipped practice studios, recording studios and DAW-equipped classrooms, you’ll always have the perfect space to play and create music, too.

And our close ties to industry professionals and opportunities to take part in loads of events, mean you’ll have lots of chances to grow an audience.

Through live assignment briefs our expert lecturers will teach you how to sell yourself and your music, perfect production skills and master wider skills like research and presentation, making sure you’re ready for your next steps.

Highlights  

This year, music and music production students:

• Went to the Alt-Careers conference in Newport
• Organised, promoted and performed at Henry Dene Hall, Gloucester Guildhall, The Old Bell, The Cavern and The Tall Ship in Gloucester, The Frog & Fiddle in Cheltenham and The Moon in Cardiff
• Enjoyed beatboxing and DJ workshops
• Had work placements at The Music Works
• Launched open mic. sessions at The Cavern and Llanthony Secunda Priory

We do things for real using our practice studios, recording studios and a great range of equipment.

Assessment 

The Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Music (Production) is project-based. Assessment takes place at the end of each project/unit and places you in a range of situations that allow your abilities to be assessed from pass to distinction level through grading criteria that are laid down by your awarding body (Pearson/Edexcel). You’ll be assessed through live assignment briefs, as well as live events and practical application of your new skills.

Anything else? 

There is an events fee charged at the outset of the course. This covers the end of year show, two mandatory trips and the cost of visiting guest lecturers and workshops. You’ll normally spend 4 days a week in college, and benefit from a weekly pastoral session with a student mentor for any additional support.

At Gloucestershire College we want students to develop their English and Maths skills so that they achieve their learning goals and future career aims. For this reason, all full-time students (16-18) who have not achieved grade 4 or above English language or maths GCSE will study these subjects as part of their course.

You’ll also complete 100 CPD hours throughout the year and develop additional employability and work-based skills through our Which Three Skills programme.