Course Guide BMus(Hons) Music and Popular Music School …The BMus (Hons) Music degree at the University of Wolverhampton aims to develop your musical creativity, and help you to acquire

School of Performing ArtsBMus(Hons) Music and Popular MusicCourse Guide

2017-18September

About this guide

This is your course guide. It provides the basic but fundamental information about your course of study. Thisguide is yours for the duration of the course, we don’t re-issue it annually and if any information containedwithin were to change then we will write to you to explain so.

In particular, if any important aspects relating to your modules were to change then we will inform you inaccordance with the Code of Practice for the Management of Changes to Modules and Courses. The teachingand support teams which you will get to know over time will refer to this guide – it will be useful to you andwe advise you to make good use of it throughout your studies.

The Course Guide should be read in conjunction with the more general sources of information which relate toall students at the University. The Student Handbook is a very detailed reference point for all issues relating toyour studies which aren’t specific to just your particular course. You might also want to refer to the StudentCharter; the University’s Policies and Regulations and the University Assessment Handbook documents whichwill provide you with all of the information that we think you will need for your period of study here.

If you need additional information, or you simply want to discuss elements of any of these documents or otheraspects of your course, find that there is something you need to know, please contact your Faculty StudentServices:

Faculty Student Services

We can help with the administration and organisation of your time at University – from enrolment andmodule registration, tuition fee enquiries, attendance support, course management and lifecycle queries,extenuating circumstances, leave of absence, transfers and changes, assignment submission, SAMsappointments, assessment and result queries, right through to Graduation.

You can also come and talk to us for impartial advice and support if things are starting to go wrong and you’renot sure who else to talk to. The main thing to remember is that you are not alone. We see large numbers ofstudents over the course of a year on a variety of issues, so please don’t be afraid to approach us.

We are here to ensure that your transition into Higher Education is as smooth as possible. Normal officeopening hours are Monday-Friday 08:45-17:00.

You can contact us through the e:vision help desk, by phone or in person or by e-mail:

Faculty of Arts (WalsallCampus)

The Performance Hub WH 338 (01902) 321035 [email protected]

Help and Advice is alsoavailable from StudentSupport & Wellbeing…

Contact us at the Alan TuringBuilding MI 001 for all enquiries andreferrals… Services operate at allcampuses by appointment.

(01902) 321074(01902) 321070

[email protected]@wlv.ac.uk

Welcome from the Course Leader

On behalf of the teaching and support teams from BMus(Hons) Music and Popular Music course, I would liketo extend to you a very warm welcome to the University of Wolverhampton, and in particular your campus.

My name is Anne-Marie Beaumont and I am the course leader for your BMus(Hons) Music and Popular Musiccourse and alongside your personal tutor, will be your main point of contact over the duration of your studies.My contact details are below – please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any support or guidance.

The successes which you will achieve whilst at the University are based upon a partnership between theexpertise and support from the staff here and the effort you put into learning. We welcome students who areeager to think for themselves, to take control of their own learning and who are ready to get involved in

developing the skills required in a highly competitive job market. Make the most of the wide range ofopportunities available to you.

Studying at University can be difficult, and for many of you the transition into University life will bechallenging. However we will support you throughout your course, particularly whilst you develop into anindependent learner over the course of your first year with us.

We believe it is important that you are encouraged to make your own contribution to the effective operationand development of your chosen course. We hope that you might consider acting as a Course Representativeduring some of your time with us to help the University continue to improve your experience.

I would like to wish you every success with your studies. We look forward to working with you and hope thatyou enjoy your time with us.

Anne-Marie Beaumont

Course Management and Staff Involvement

RoleRole NameName SpecialismSpecialism eMaileMail Tel. Ext.Tel. Ext. RoomRoom

Head of Department Sarah Browne [email protected] 2051 WH214

Course Leader Mrs Anne-Marie Beaumont [email protected] 2899 WH214

Educational Aims of the Course

The BMus (Hons) Music degree at the University of Wolverhampton aims to develop your musical creativity,and help you to acquire the skills needed to become a versatile and practical musician. This course stimulatesyour innate love of music, explores and identifies what music is, what music does, and what music means andprovides a structured approach to your career progression as a performer, composer, technologist, teacher oracademic. During your three years at the University of Wolverhampton you will experience practical modules,which are designed to enhance your natural musical skills and ability. With a clear emphasis on Making,Understanding, Shaping and Experiencing music you can expect to study composition in a range of stylesfrom Western Art Music to Songwriting, and performance in different ensembles as well as developing yourown technique as an instrumentalist and solo performer. The latest music technologies will help you todiscover your creativity and will enable you to express it and disseminate it more widely.

The University of Wolverhampton continues to develop state of the art facilities at its Walsall campus and thePerformance Hub boasts exceptional teaching and learning facilities for music, dance, drama and musicaltheatre all under one roof, to support student learning at the highest level. The Hub also doubles up as aperformance venue, with shows and independent cinema at the Black Box Theatre.

The university’s proximity to many established and nationally recognised gig venues, such as The Jamhouse,O2 Institute and Robin 2, allows you to perform at a professional level. You will also be able to meet, networkand learn from a range of national and international musicians, whose master classes and seminar sessionswill assist you in becoming a professional musician.

What makes this programme distinctive?

The Wolverhampton BMus has a strong focus on practical performance-based work and you will create andrecreate music in equal measure. You will perform in a range of ensembles including Choir and Orchestra aswell as in smaller instrumental popular music and contemporary performing groups; these are renownedfeatures of the course and we have significant feedback from former students testifying to the quality ofexperience gained.

We are very proud of our excellent, well-established team of visiting musicians, who contribute to theprogramme. As a provider of HE degree study, we consider the challenges you face as a learner in the 21stcentury and provide flexible study patterns to suit you.

You may have the opportunity to achieve the Certificate for Music Educators, awarded by the Associated Boardof the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in your first two years of the course.

You will meet interesting people and make long-lasting musical friendships and the course will broaden yourhorizons for lifelong learning.

We continue to develop state of the art facilities which will greatly enhance your learning experience. ThePerformance Hub provides facilities, designed to nurture talent and allow you to gain relevant workexperience in the Creative Industries. Open for community use as well as the University, the building willcomplement and enhance the performing arts facilities currently available on the Wolverhampton Citycampus.

Course Structure

September (Full-Time)September (Full-Time)

Part time students study alongside full time students. However, they do not study more than 80 credits in eachacademic calendar year.

ModuleModule TitleTitle CreditsCredits PeriodPeriod TypeType Module LeaderModule Leader

6MU027 Music Professional Project 40 YEAR Core Steven Spencer

6MU025 University Ensembles 40 YEAR Core Kevin Stannard

Group 15 | Min Value: 20 | Max Value: 20Group 15 | Min Value: 20 | Max Value: 20

6MU004 Music for Image 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Mat Dalgleish

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Steve Cooper

6MU010 Employability and Enterprise in Music 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Aglaia Foteinou


6MU005 Music in its Cultural Context 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Christopher Foster

6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Steven Spencer

4MU045 Technology in Performance 20 YEAR Core Richard Hall

4MU014 Musicianship Skills 20 SEM1 Core Steven Spencer

4MU015 Performance Workshop 20 SEM2 Core Richard Hall

4MU010 Music Theory: Essential Concepts 20 YEAR Core Steve Cooper

4MU076 Contextual Studies 20 YEAR Core Anne-Marie Beaumont

4MU069 Professional Values and Practice 20 YEAR Core Anne-Marie Beaumont

5MU070 The Music Educator 40 YEAR Core Anne-Marie Beaumont

5MU049 The Studio Musician 20 SEM1 Core Richard Hall

5MU026 Styles and Genres 20 YEAR Core Christopher Foster

5MU013 Performance Leadership 20 SEM2 Core Steven Spencer


5MU010 Invention and Creativity in Music 20 YEAR CoreOption

Christopher Foster

5MU001 Entrepreneurship (Planning) 20 YEAR CoreOption

Mel Baxter

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning OutcomeLearning Outcome Contributing ModulesContributing Modules

CertHE Course Learning Outcome 1 CertHE Course Learning Outcome 1 (CHECLO1)(CHECLO1)

Demonstrate knowledge of the underlyingconcepts and principles associated with yourarea(s) of study, and an ability to evaluate andinterpret these within the context of that area ofstudy

4MU009 Popular Music Transcription4MU010 Music Theory: Essential Concepts4MU014 Musicianship Skills4MU015 Performance Workshop4MU045 Technology in Performance


Demonstrate an ability to present, evaluate andinterpret qualitative and quantitative data, inorder to develop lines of argument and makesound judgements in accordance with basictheories and concepts of your subject(s) of study.

4MU009 Popular Music Transcription4MU010 Music Theory: Essential Concepts4MU047 Writing About Music


Evaluate the appropriateness of differentapproaches to solving problems related to yourarea(s) of study and/or work

4MU009 Popular Music Transcription4MU014 Musicianship Skills4MU015 Performance Workshop


Communicate the results of your study/workaccurately and reliably, and with structured andcoherent arguments

4MU009 Popular Music Transcription4MU014 Musicianship Skills4MU015 Performance Workshop


Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skillsnecessary for employment requiring the exerciseof some personal responsibility

4MU009 Popular Music Transcription4MU010 Music Theory: Essential Concepts4MU045 Technology in Performance4MU047 Writing About Music

DipHE Course Learning Outcome 1 DipHE Course Learning Outcome 1 (DHECLO1)(DHECLO1)

Demonstrate knowledge and criticalunderstanding of the well-established principlesof your area(s) of study, and of the way in whichthose principles have developed with anunderstanding of the limits of your knowledge,and how this influences analyses andinterpretations based on that knowledge.

5MU009 The Working Musician5MU009 5MU011 Songwriting5MU048 The Review and the Prototype5MU049 The Studio Musician5MU050 The Music Arranger and Producer


Demonstrate the ability to apply underlyingconcepts and principles outside the context inwhich they were first studied, including, whereappropriate, the application of those principles inan employment context

5MU009 The Working Musician5MU009 5MU011 Songwriting5MU047 Pop Musicology5MU048 The Review and the Prototype5MU050 The Music Arranger and Producer


Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods ofenquiry in the subject(s) relevant to the namedaward, and ability to evaluate critically theappropriateness of different approaches tosolving problems in the field of study

5MU009 The Working Musician5MU009 5MU016 Creative Group Performance5MU047 Pop Musicology


Use a range of established techniques to initiateand undertake critical analysis of information,and to propose solutions to problems arising fromthat analysis

5MU009 The Working Musician5MU009 5MU016 Creative Group Performance5MU048 The Review and the Prototype5MU049 The Studio Musician5MU050 The Music Arranger and Producer

DipHE Course Learning Outcome 5 DipHE Course Learning Outcome 5 (DHECLO5)(DHECLO5) 5MU011 Songwriting5MU016 Creative Group Performance

Effectively communicate information, argumentsand analysis in a variety of forms to specialist andnon-specialist audiences, and deploy keytechniques of the discipline effectively

5MU048 The Review and the Prototype5MU050 The Music Arranger and Producer


Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skillsnecessary for employment, requiring the exerciseof personal responsibility and decision-makingand undertake further training, developingexisting skills and acquire new competences thatwill enable them to assume significantresponsibility within organisations.

5MU009 The Working Musician5MU009 5MU011 Songwriting5MU047 Pop Musicology5MU048 The Review and the Prototype5MU050 The Music Arranger and Producer

Ordinary Degree Course Learning Outcome 1Ordinary Degree Course Learning Outcome 1(ORDCLO1)(ORDCLO1)

Apply analytical, critical and creative skills tomusic, popular music and music technologies

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU008 The Improvising Musician6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project


Have in-depth knowledge and understanding ofthe history, theory, and global and culturalcontext of music, popular music and musictechnologies

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU010 Employability and Enterprise in Music6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project


Show the attributes of an enterprising,professional musician

6MU010 Employability and Enterprise in Music6MU027 Music Professional Project


Demonstrate a sound practical ability on yourprincipal instrument or voice

6MU008 The Improvising Musician6MU010 Employability and Enterprise in Music6MU027 Music Professional Project


Become an adaptable and flexible musician withthe ability to work with digital technologies

6MU027 Music Professional Project


Have confidence in communicating effectivelyusing a range of media

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project

Honours Degree Course Learning Outcome 1Honours Degree Course Learning Outcome 1(DEGCLO1)(DEGCLO1)

Apply analytical, critical and creative skills tomusic, popular music and music technologies

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU008 The Improvising Musician6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project


Use your knowledge and understanding of thehistory, theory, and global and cultural context ofmusic, popular music and music technologies

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU010 Employability and Enterprise in Music6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project


Apply and reflect on the attributes of anenterprising, professional musician



6MU008 The Improvising Musician

Demonstrate an excellent practical ability on yourprincipal instrument or voice



Conduct yourself as an adaptable and flexiblemusician with the ability to work at the forefrontof digital technologies

6MU027 Music Professional Project


Communicate effectively and professionally,using a wide range of media

6MU003 Songwriting Analysis6MU012 Popular Music History: Untold Stories6MU027 Music Professional Project

PSRB

None

Employability in the Curriculum

The BMus in Music and Popular Music will provide a breadth of practical skills and facilitate yourinvolvement in a wide range of musical styles and contexts.

The possibility of the inclusion of the ABRSM Certificate for Music Educators as part of your degree courselinks directly to our employability agenda, and the real-life experience you gain from undertaking this degreewill equip you very well for further education qualifications at post-graduate level. This may lead you intoperformance work as an instrumentalist or singer, or perhaps as leader or conductor of groups inprofessional, community or educational settings.

You may develop your creative skills towards work as a songwriter/composer or workshop facilitator aimedat encouraging others to explore music, or prefer to work behind the scenes in music publishing andjournalism or agencies, marketing and logistics. The opportunities and activities that you will undertakeduring your studies will enable you to explore new and existing areas of interest and find avenues to pursueand apply these in your future career in Music.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

A student studying an Honours Degree in Music will typically experience a range of learning activities drawn appropriately fromthe following:

seminars or other forms of small-group discussion, sometimes involving individual or group student presentations todevelop oral presentation, negotiation and communication skillsother forms of small-group teaching and learning in which students have the opportunity to work together as a team (forexample, a joint technology or performance project)one-to-one interaction, particularly supporting the development of self-direction, intellectual independence and researchskills through dissertations, analysis and individual projects, and the development of creative skills through composition andperformancelectures that stimulate thought, discussion and debate, and which encourage further reading, listening and research bywhich students can extend their own knowledge and understandingindividual or small-group vocal or instrumental instruction, developing experience of repertoire, techniques of performance,musicianship, interpretation and presentation, often under the guidance of professional practitionerscorporate performance activity, groups ranging in size from small ensembles to large choirs and orchestras, developingteamwork and leadership skillsworkshops and master classes, normally addressing the acquisition of creative skills and techniques within a group context,and often benefiting from the experience of visiting specialistspeer learning where students discuss critically their colleagues' work, usually performances or compositionswriting (essays, learning journals, concert reviewing etc) as a means of developing research techniques, acquiring knowledge,and presenting ideas and arguments in written formpractical exercises, usually connected with the development of creative, analytical and aural skillsindependent learning, whether as directed reading and listening related to essay writing or dissertation/project work or aspractice for developing creative skillsstudio or laboratory work, including hands-on experience in the use of electronic equipment for composition and/orrecording, and for various forms of empirical workuse of computer-assisted learning, of email for discussion groups or tutorial supervision, and of other forms of ICTExternal placements, often with a vocational slant, such as work experience in schools and arts organisations.fieldwork projects, where students study a musical culture in situ, by such methods as attending, observing and participatingin events, and interviewing performers, patrons or listenersA wide variety of non-assessed curricular activities, especially those involving theparticipation in or attendance at performances.

Learning and Teaching Methods

This data indicates the proportion of time in each year of study that students can expect to engage in thefollowing activities (expressed as a percentage for each level).

LevelLevel TeachingTeaching IndependentIndependent PlacementPlacement

4 24 76 0

5 22 76 2

6 23 77 0

Assessment Methods

This data indicates the proportion of summative assessment in each year of study that will derive from thefollowing: (expressed as a percentage for each level).

LevelLevel Written ExamsWritten Exams Practical ExamsPractical Exams CourseworkCoursework

4 17 0 83

5 0 12 88

6 0 3 97

Reference Points

QAA Music 2016 Benchmark

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

Equality Act 2010

School documents:

University Strategic PlanSchool Operating PlanSchool Assessment HandbookSchool AMR process

School Equality Policy

Academic Regulations Exemptions

Section 1.2.3 - Exemption sought for the Year Long delivery of taught modules, outside the standard UniversityAcademic Framework, in order to facilitate extended skills development at every level of study;

4MU010 Music Theory: Essential Concepts (20 credits)

4MU045 Technology in Performance (20 credits)

4MU049 Materials of Music (40 credits)

4MU069 Professional Values and Practice (20 credits)

4MU076 Contextual Studies (20 credits)

5MU010 Invention and Creativity in Music (20 credits)

5MU011 Songwriting (20 credits)

5MU026 Styles and Genres (20 credits)

5MU070 The Music Educator (40 credits)

6MU025 University Ensembles (40 credits)

6MU027 The Professional Project (40 credits).

Effective date: September 2017.

APPROVED 22 June 2017

Support with your studies

University Learning Centres are the key source of academic information for students providing access to:

Physical library resources (books, journal, DVDs etc.)Study areas to allow students to study in the environment that suits them best: Social areas, quiet and

silent areas.A wide range of online information sources, including eBooks, e-journals and subject databasesAcademic skills support via the Skills for Learning programmeStudents on campus can attend workshops or ask for one-to-one help on a range of skills such asacademic writing and referencing.Dedicated Subject Pages to enable you to explore key online information sources that are recommendedfor their studies.Physical access to local libraries both in UK and overseas via SCONUL and WorldCat agreements

We also strongly advise you to download to “MyWLV” student app. MyWLV is a single point of personalisedaccess to the variety of systems the University offers. This includes pulling through relevant information (e.g.deadlines, timetables) and linking to underlying systems.

Course Specific Support

The BMus in Music and Popular Music has been designed to develop the skills of a practising musician and soincludes individual and small-group tuition on an instrument or voice. This will enable you to plan yourdevelopment alongside a professional musician who can offer experience and close contact with the musicindustry.

All of the essential learning materials are made available through the University’s Virtual LearningEnvironment (CANVAS) to enable you to engage with your learning off-campus and at any time. This iscomplemented by an on-line skills development website that provides advice and guidance on a wide range ofacademic skills and processes.

The Music Technician provides an invaluable service in supporting your technical needs during your study.

Contact Hours

In higher education, the term ‘contact hours’ is used very broadly, to refer to the amount of time that youspend learning in contact with teaching or associated staff, when studying for a particular course.

This time provides you with the support in developing your subject knowledge and skills, and opportunitiesto develop and reflect on your own, independent learning. Contact time can take a wide variety of formsdepending on your subject, as well as where and how you are studying. Some of the most common examplesare:

lecturesseminarstutorialsproject supervisionsdemonstrationspractical classes and workshopssupervised time in a studio/workshopfieldworkexternal visitswork-based learning (including placements)scheduled virtual interaction with tutor such as on line, skype, telephone

In UK higher education, you as the student take primary responsibility for your own learning. In this context,contact time with teaching and associated staff is there to help shape and guide your studies. It may be usedto introduce new ideas and equip you with certain knowledge or skills, demonstrate practical skills for you topractise independently, offer guidance on project work, or to provide personalised feedback.

Alongside contact time, private or independent study is therefore very significant. This is the time that youspend learning without direct supervision from, or contact with, a member of staff. It might include

background reading, preparation for seminars or tutorials, follow-up work, wider practice, the completion ofassignments, revision, and so on.

Course Specific Health and Safety Issues

No specific health and safety issues recorded.

Course Fact File

Hierarchy of Awards:Hierarchy of Awards: Bachelor of Music with Honours Music and Popular Music Bachelor of Music Music and Popular Music Diploma of Higher Education Music and Popular Music Certificate of Higher Education Music and Popular Music University Statement of Credit University Statement of Credit

Course Codes:Course Codes: MU004J01UV Full-time 3 YearsMU004J31UV Part-Time 6 Years

Awarding Body / Institution:Awarding Body / Institution: University of Wolverhampton

School / Institute:School / Institute: School of Performing Arts

Category of Partnership:Category of Partnership: Not delivered in partnership

Location of Delivery:Location of Delivery: University of Wolverhampton

Teaching Institution:Teaching Institution: University of Wolverhampton

Published: 07-Oct-2017 by Raimond Melis

Documents

Course Guide BMus(Hons) Music and Popular Music School …The BMus (Hons) Music degree at the University of Wolverhampton aims to develop your musical creativity, and help you to acquire