Music, Technology and Performance BA (Hons)

About the course

This unique course will help you to develop new performance approaches and skills, through investigating recent and emerging technologies.

It is aimed at musicians experienced in performance and music technology, who are interested in how technology can enable innovative ways of performing and interacting with other musicians and artists and how it can give rise to new forms of musical expression.

Reasons to study Music, Technology and Performance at DMU:

• Taught by expert staff with international reputations as active Musicians, Researchers and experts in electroacoustic music, sonic arts and electronica

• Our superb facilities allow you to explore areas such as spatialisation, musical computing, instrument building, sound recording and video and live visuals

• Be part of an extremely lively musical community with frequent concerts, events, industry visitors and student exchanges.

You will explore improvisation, human-computer interaction, the role of the human body in performance, site-specific and installation work, appropriated technology, digital and post-digital aesthetics, interacting (including through technology) with artists in other art forms and the relationship between the recording and performing musician.

As well as a very strong music and arts focus, the course provides opportunities for developing engineering, computing and various cross discipline and vocational skills, as well as opportunities to work with students in other art forms, through a range of module choices.

Visit www.mti.dmu.ac.uk/jukebox| to experience the high-quality work that our students are producing. You can also visit www.mti.dmu.ac.uk |to find out more on staff music and creative work, concerts and events and international collaborations, exchanges, and visitors.

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Key facts

UCAS course code: JW93

Duration: Three years full-time, six years part-time

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

Entry requirements for 2014

• Normally 260 UCAS Points from at least two A Levels or equivalent
• Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English
• BTEC requirements: Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) at National Diploma Level.
• Additional qualifications can contribute towards the points score such as a third A Level or AS Levels
• International Baccalaureate: 28+ points.

If you are unsure about the amount of UCAS points your qualifications may attract you can use our UCAS Tariff Chart|.

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition| is available at DMU both before and during the course if required.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, practical workshops and rehearsals and you will have contact time with our teaching staff. Assessment is primarily through musical, practical and written coursework. Self-motivation is a key ingredient and outside set teaching times you are expected to research and develop your own projects, as well as to attend concerts and performances with an engaged and critical ear.

Course modules

Year one modules

• Foundations of Music (core)
• Techniques of Digital Audio (core)
• Digital Cultures (core)
• Creating with Technology (core)

Year two modules

• Ideas in Music and Sonic Art (core)
• Performing with Technology (core)
• Creative Coding for Music (optional)
• Electronic Musical Instrument Building (optional)
• Audio Production (optional)
• Sound in Space (optional)
• Composing with Technology (optional)

Year three modules

• Dissertation or Final Performance Project (core)
• Advanced Creative Projects (optional)
• Installation Art (optional)
• Performance, Interaction and Digital Technologies (optional)
• Music, Media and Community Arts (optional)
• Music Industry Management (optional)
• Media Industry Management (optional)
• Composing with Dance (optional)
• Studio Engineering (optional)
  

Academic expertise

Students experience high-quality teaching from expert and highly committed staff. All are practising musicians working with technology, who regularly publish and present their work in concerts nationally and internationally.

We have links with renowned institutions worldwide through our internationally acclaimed research centre. Teaching and research strengths include digital music composition; real-time computer applications in performance; creative work mixing audio and video; algorithmic composition; internet music; improvisation with technology; cross-arts creative work; studio engineering, and musical analysis and criticism.

Work experience and placements

A wide range of guest speakers, distinguished Composers, Producers and other practitioners from the UK and abroad, share insights from their professional experience. Recent visitors include: Merzbow, Mira Calix, Tim Exile, DJ Sniff, Scanner, Pauline Oliveros, Brian Duffy, GRM, Leafcutter John, Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle), Keith Rowe and Evan Parker. We also run several research collaborations and exchanges with universities and institutions internationally where you can also choose to study.

You will develop your own work professionally through regular opportunities to perform both within the university and in the city, and can participate in the De Montfort Students' Union radio station, Demon FM.

Graduate careers

The creative industries are a huge economic growth area, and digital music is central to contemporary media. Recent graduates are now Composers, Sound Designers, Performing and Recording Artists and Session Musicians, Recording Engineers, Producers, and Audio Technicians.

They also work in music management, theatre, radio content and production, television, music retail, music and internet publishing, software development and music education at all levels.

Graduates also have a very strong track record in pursuing further study at master’s and doctoral levels, as well as in entrepreneurship, with success stories in both freelance and new company start ups. Some students make waves in the music industry while they are still on the course.

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £9,000 Placement year £650 Part-time (Where available) 4 year course £5,925 per year 6 year course £3,950 per year Per module £988 per 15 credits International
Full-time £11,250 Placement year £750

For more information please take a look at our Fees and Funding| section.

Scholarships

Scholarships and bursaries are available to home undergraduate students studying on a full time basis. To see if you are eligible, take a look at the Fees and Funding| section of the website.

Facilities

We offer state-of-the-art performance and teaching spaces, including a multi-million pound Performance Arts Centre for Excellence| building. You have access to superb recording and foley studios within DMU’s Creative Technology Studios and excellent laboratories and rehearsal spaces, all of which are available outside class times through our online booking system. There is also an extensive equipment loans facility for off-campus work.