Duration:
1 year full-time
Entry requirements:
- 4 GCSEs grade 9-3 (A*-D)* including English and maths
- An appreciation of and passion for music with a level of practical experience
- A successful audition performing two different pieces
Fees & funding:
Visit our fees & funding page for more information
How to apply:
When you're ready to apply, there's a few ways to start the process.
- Apply online - Start your application now!
- Call us on 0115 952 2075 and start your application over the phone or we can post you a paper application form
- Come and visit us at an open day and fill in your application on the day
Introduction to the course
On this college course you’ll learn how to become a better performer. You’ll discover new performance techniques and skills in a group setting, rehearsing and preparing musical pieces for your live performances. Throughout the course you’ll begin to develop an understanding of the music industry, professions and organisations, whilst developing skills in music composition to develop an original portfolio of work.
100% of students on this course feel the teaching they receive is of a good standard. (QDP Student Survey Results 2022)
You’ll gain:
- An understanding and appreciation of popular music
- Instrument and/or vocal skills
- Music theory
- How to compose music and write lyrics
- Stagecraft and performance skills
- Practical musicianship
- The structure of the music industry
- English and Maths skills
- How to work to briefs, supported by real professionals, giving you real industry experiences
What you'll study
You'll be prepared to work in the industry through developing a wide variety of skills connected to their potential performance job roles researching skills and techniques for development. You'll also begin to develop your solo and group rehearsal and performance practices, as well as learning to operate sequencing software to create your own music.
Units studied
- Unit 1: Exploring Music
- Unit 2: Professional Development
- Unit 3: Creating Music
- Unit 4: Music Performance
In term 2, you'll work in bands to rehearse and prepare for live performances. In your groups you'll develop communication and management skills in order to develop your set list. Alongside this, you'll explore performance technologies and equipment, to develop and refine a personal composition portfolio of original music
Units studied
- Unit 3: Creating Music
- Unit 4: Music Performance
- Unit 7: Self-Promotion
Using the techniques you have built up through the year, you'll produce your own compositions and private portfolio to showcase and communicate your achievements to invited guests. You'll also work with technology students to record your work to create a CD, which you'll market using self-promotional materials.
Units studied
- Unit 7: Self-Promotion
- Unit 8: Music Project
Maths & English
Depending on your prior English and Maths attainment, you may need to improve your grade as part of your course.
On this course you’ll have access to:
- Confetti's Contemporary Music & Events Hub, Metronome
- 400 Capacity Metronome venue
- Extensive backline equipment
- Mac and PC music labs
- Logic Pro X DAW's
Celebrate
Every year we welcome family, friends and industry professionals to watch, listen, test and play the fantastic work of our college students.
Industry Week
As a Confetti student, you will also take part in Industry Week where you’ll meet a range of professionals within your field of interest, as well as other areas of the creative industries.
Previous guests include: Michael Eavis, Professor Green, DJ Yoda, Mandy Parnell (Bjork, Aphex Twin, The White Stripes), Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush), Goetz Botzenhardt (Bjork, Sugarbabes, Faithless, Dido, Pet Shop Boys) and George Shilling (Oasis, Primal Scream, James Brown), Rudimental's Piers Aggett, Easy Life's Murray Matravers.
Check out our OnDemand service here.
Continue your studies
Go on to study on one of our Level 3 courses in Music Performance & Songwriting, Technical Events or Audio & Music Technology.
Your time at Confetti doesn’t have to stop once you finish your college course. Choose to continue your studies on our range of foundation and full honours degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career:
Future careers:
- Sound engineer
- Performer
- Songwriter
- Musician
- Session musician
- Composer
- Arranger
- Promoter
- Blogger
