Music
OVERVIEW
Students can choose between Honours Music and Honours Music Technology, both offering a comprehensive musical education that caters to a variety of interests and talents.
- Honours Music comprises three components: Performing, Composing, and Appraising.
- Honours Music Technology covers four areas: Recording, Technology-Based Composition, Listening & Analysing, and Producing & Analysing.
OUR SYLLABUS
Honours Music (Eduqas)
- Performing: Option A – 10-12 minute recital | Option B – 6-8 minute recital
- Composing: Option A – Two compositions (4-6 mins) | Option B – Three compositions (8-10 mins)
- Appraising: Compulsory study of The Western Classical Tradition, plus two additional focus areas from five options.
Honours Music Technology (Edexcel)
- Recording: 3-3.5 minute recording of a song from an exam board list
- Technology-Based Composition: 3-minute composition based on exam board briefs
- Listening & Analysing: Exam covering the impact and evolution of music technology
- Producing & Analysing: Practical exam using MIDI to produce a final mix
This course is ideal for those interested in recording, sequencing, composing, and exploring the role of technology in popular music.
WHY STUDY MUSIC?
Music fosters creativity, discipline, and confidence – highly-valued skills in any career. Graduates often pursue music-related careers or apply their training in various fields.
Students studying music have the opportunity to experience many different genres in a variety of venues across Birmingham. In recent years our musicians have enjoyed diverse experiences from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Exeter to Wicked at Bristol Hippodrome.
Musical co-curricular activities and performance opportunities are vast: informal concerts, big ensemble concerts, choir services, musical theatre performances, carols at the races, Angels Young Musician competitions, leavers’ concerts, scholars’ concerts and chamber concerts – all alongside whole university events like the College Song Competition.
We also run weekly sessions for: wind band, orchestra, two piano trios, two Roc Soc groups, Ukelele band, Brass group, String group, Chaplaincy choir, chamber choir, Big Band, Jazz ensemble, guitar group and DJ group.
Students have also had the chance to perform abroad, with the Big Band touring Barbados and the Chaplaincy Choir recently singing in a number of venues in and around Barcelona.
Music nurtures independence, self-discipline, and resilience, preparing students for both Higher Education and professional careers.
Many students progress to further musical studies, including:
- Choir scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge
- Performance degrees at conservatoires
Notable graduates include Elliot Marchent, Matt Osbourne, Louis Benneyworth, Peter Oakley, Alex Wynn, and Liam Atherton.
