Songwriting and Production - MA

Songwriting 1: Skills and Strategies
This module will introduce the student to foundations and principles in the art & craft of songwriting. A wide range of techniques will be examined in weekly workshops such as structure & arrangement, lyric writing, melodic and harmonic prosody; as well as more conceptual approaches to accessing creativity, and nurturing & experimenting with your artistic voice.  

Songwriting 2: Creative Co-writing
This module will provide the student with weekly opportunities to tackle ‘live’ briefs with professional songwriters and creative practitioners; and to explore a range of contemporary and exemplary methods and techniques.

Students will expand their work in a collaborative environment, by incorporating elements such as arranging, recording and mixing. 

Typically, students will work in teams of two or more, up to a usual maximum of six.

Digital Music Production
This module provides the student with a thorough introduction to audio and MIDI recording, editing and processing within the computer domain to an advanced level.

Indicative content includes: recording and editing audio; composing beats and drum patterns; recording, creating and editing MIDI; building and editing song arrangements; mixing; automation; working to picture; production analysis

Recording
Students will engage with sound engineering and music production techniques within a modern recording studio, exploring multi-session & multi-track techniques, mixing/editing, delivery systems, and operational management. 

Performance: Practice and Presentation
This module provides the student with the opportunity to develop practice and performance skills. Live performance will be developed through rehearsal, tutorial guidance and ‘gigs’. The student will use established and/or experimental processes to achieve their aims.

Indicative content includes: how to get a gig – strategies and networking; persona and appearance; presentation (visuals); programme planning (‘the set-list’); managing the stage space; vocal techniques; physicality 

Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship
This module provides opportunities for students to work individually and in collaboration to develop skills in thinking critically and creatively about entrepreneurship and, in particular, social entrepreneurship. ‘Real-world’ briefs are set by industry and feedback is provided from the industry sector on entrepreneurship initiatives developed by the students. 

Topics covered include: contexts for, and controversies about, creative and cultural enterprise; entrepreneurial self-evaluation, resource analysis and network development; business planning, finance and operations; contracts, rights and intellectual property

Major Project
This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to engage in a major in-depth portfolio project, allowing exploitation of knowledge from course modules. Feedback on Major Projects is provided by our Course ambassador, CEO of Libertino Records, Gruff Owen.