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Songwriting Courses
"Teaching at BIMM is a real treat. I get to see talent right at the bud, sometimes before it blooms. I work with great people and enjoy the songs that fall into my lap. It's often a gift to work with such talent". - Chris Difford "Attending BIMM was brilliant...it enabled me to spend a whole year mixing, studying and socializing with like minded people and musicians." - Kate Walsh Our songwriting courses are the first of their kind. Run with BMG Music Publishing Ltd our one year intensive programmes are designed for experienced writers, already working at a high level, who wish to write songs for a living. This is without a doubt the most demanding course that we offer and the tutors are dedicated to helping new writers understand the reality of writing songs for a living. These courses push musicians to deliver career breaking tunes, through a series of lectures designed to focus on different aspects of the writer's craft taught by internationally successful hit writers. Plus, whatever course you take, you will study a Music Business module.
Courses:
BA (Hons) in Professional Musicianship |
BIMM Cert HE in Professional Musicianship (Songwriting) |
BIMM Artist Development Diploma in Songwriting
BA (Hons) in Professional Musicianshipwith University of Sussex sponsored by EMI Music Publishing The BA Honours programme is both academically and musically challenging. There is a focus on live performance, technique, songwriting and stylistic development in addition to research and project work. Students undertake professional work during the course of their studies. Degree Graduates have achieved chart successes, session work with major artists, professional teaching work and made appearances as session players on all the major TV music shows.
Entry Requirements:
- BIMM Professional Diploma at Merit or above; or equivalent level 4 qualification.
- Successful completion of the first year of an external Undergraduate Music programme of at least 120 credits.
- 2 A-levels at Grade C or equivalent (160 UCAS tariff points).
- Grade 8 instrumental or equivalent practical skills.
- APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) can result in direct entry to year two for applicants with appropriate HND or equivalent plus relevant professional experience.
- All applicants are interviewed individually - a strong work ethic and career focus alongside a willingness to engage in academic as well as vocational study will be a definite advantage for applicants on this demanding course.
For more information:
BIMM Cert HE in Professional Musicianship (Songwriting)Location BIMM Brighton, validated* by University of Sussex Course Overview The Cert HE in Professional Musicianship is an intensive one year programme, aimed at songwriters with semi-professional ability, and designed to help you reach your full creative potential. It acts as the first year of a 3-year BA (Hons) degree in Professional Musicianship from the University of Sussex. In addition to focusing on performance, you will enhance your creative writing skills, gain a comprehensive understanding of the music industry and develop a personal career plan. Course Contents* | Unit | Description | | Songwriting Techniques | This module is all about the development of your creative ideas and turning them into finished songs. Topics include hooks, subject matter, lyric writing, song form and structure, elementary arrangement and basic studio production techniques, as used by some of the World’s most successful composers. | | Arrangement Analysis | The deconstruction of successful songs by analysing structure, instrumentation, orchestration and stylistic elements via critical listening and aural perception to develop your understanding of what makes a song great. This will broaden your writing, arrangement and production vocabulary, to aid your own songwriting ability. | | Music Business and Study Skills | Designed to give you a practical knowledge of the workings of the music industry, this module will help you make informed choices about your career. All aspects of the music industry are covered in comprehensive detail. Topics include recording and publishing contracts, artist management, music synchronization, music law, copyright, music teaching, live music, and business planning. This module also includes a study skills element, designed to equip you with the academic skills you’ll need for Higher Education study. | | Artist Development and Entrepreneurship | Here you will develop an understanding of exactly what it takes to become a professional artist. This module dissects every aspect of live performance at local, national and international levels. You will learn how to make the correct decisions that could give you or your band the edge in one of the most competitive industries in the world. You’ll also learn how to use the specific skills that will enable you to run your own business as a performer, songwriter or other music business entrepreneur. Rehearsal technique, promotion, marketing, leadership, tour management, stage management and budgeting are all areas for study, all with the attention to detail needed to make things happen at the highest level. | | Live Performance Workshop (S/W) | This module is all about the preparation of your own songs to professional standards, and then made to work in a live setting. Parts, arrangement, tone, feel, and performance aspects will all be prepared in detail, with areas such as musical communication, performance ability, and how to sound great through a big-PA all addressed in live performance. You will also be working with live bands to support your development. | | Music Theory and Arrangement | A comprehensive study of the theory behind the music, including practical applications of theoretical concepts. This module will enable you to understand the concepts that you will be applying in your other practical areas of the course, by using theoretical concepts to help with song arrangement. |
* Any information in the prospectus and on our website is believed to be correct but is not part of any agreement with parents/students and the Institute. Courses and course content are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change. Progression Route: BA (Hons) in Professional Musicianship Year 2 * Subject to validation in 2011
Entry Requirements:
- Must have a minimum 160 UCAS tariff points (2 A levels at C or above/MM at BTEC Level 3) and 5 GCSEs at C or above including English.
- Grade 6-8 equivalent playing skills.
- Semi-professional performance and/or studio experience.
- Strong career focus.
- Mature applicants (19+) who do not have A Levels (or equivalent) yet are strong players can be considered for APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experience Learning).
For more information:
BIMM Artist Development Diploma in SongwritingThis course is sponsored by Sony / BMG Music Entertainment Location BIMM Brighton Course Overview This course is equivalent to 2 ‘A’ levels. It is designed for songwriters with solid ability, but who may need help in becoming fully rounded musicians. This course is all about ‘getting out there’, being seen and heard and gaining the confidence of a professional songwriter. A fundamental understanding of the music industry is developed alongside performance and technical skills. Course Contents* | Unit | Description | Composition
| Writing your own material with basic music theory to help in your understanding of the process. Breaking down the ‘raw materials’ that come together to make a great song, in order to develop the tools for their own creativity. | | Singing | Vocal technique and styles development will be studied in this unit. Focus is on the importance of vocal arranging and singing. | | Performance Preparation | Planning for key performances at local and national level. Rehearsal technique, promotion, marketing, leadership, venues and promoters, tour management, stage management and budgeting are all studied. | | Music Theory and Keyboard Skills | A comprehensive look at music theory and the practical application of theoretical concepts, essential for writing, arranging and understanding the science behind the song. Keyboard skills are a central part of this unit. | Pre Production
| This lecture encourages the preparation of songs to the standard of a professional band/artist. Parts, arrangement, tone and performance will all be analysed, with the emphasis on simplicity being taken to a very high standard. Attention to detail is paramount. | | Live Performance Workshop (LPW) | Making the songs studied in Pre - Production work in a live setting. Learning to communicate ideas with other musicians, with the focus on a tight, well arranged and professional performance. | | Aural Perception and Ear Training | Sharpening your ear. How to learn from listening to professional recordings. Understanding and appreciating what makes music great. How to break down a record into its fundamental parts. | | Musical Arranging | An in-depth study of song structure, forms, instrumentation layers, dynamics and production, to show the importance of having clear, impacting arrangements that engage the listener. | | Music Industry | Students will be taken through all aspects of the music industry, including record and publishing deals, management, music synchronisation, legal issues, copyright, music teaching, live music and business planning. | | Music in Context | A history of classic artists placed in their social, historical and political context. Artists studied include Elvis Presley, Nina Simone, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, Nirvana and Radiohead. |
* Any information in the prospectus and on our website is believed to be correct but is not part of any agreement with parents/students and the Institute. Courses and course content are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change. Progression Route BIMM Cert HE in Professional Musicianship
Entry Requirements:
- Minimum entry requirement for this course is 4 GCSE’s at C or above including English.
- Grade 4 – 6 equivalent playing skills.
For more information:
Music BusinessWhatever course you take at BIMM, everyone gets a chance to study a Music Business module. After all, Music Business classes are where we show you how you can make a living from doing what you love - and you won’t want to miss out on that! The Music Business modules at BIMM are designed to help you make a living as a player, a songwriter or in any of the other career paths available. We look at what it takes to get your band or music project into shape and how you can present your work like a true professional. We explain how to find and approach the right labels, publishers, managers and PR people; and we cover every important aspect of the business from the impact of the Internet to music teaching, from film and television soundtracks to working in live music. Every teacher on this course has a long CV, masses of useful contacts, and many years of experience in the industry that they are happy to share in class or on a one-to-one basis in tutorials. Most of all we make sure that everyone has a lot of fun on the way, and regularly spice up classes with top level guests from all aspects of the business. You’ll never have a better chance to find out how this industry works and how to carve your own place in it.
BIMM Tutorial ProgrammeBIMM has a unique tutorial programme which is tailored to meet the needs of students at each level of the curriculum. The aim of the BIMM tutorial programme is to support every student to get the most out of their time with us and to achieve at the highest level, personally, academically and professionally. The tutorial programme includes the following: Induction Tutorial This first meeting will be an opportunity for us to begin to get to know you and find out what your ambitions are and what your career plan is and, most importantly, to identify any needs you may have in terms of additional learning support. During this session the tutor will fill in an Induction Review sheet to record your discussion and you will be given a copy of this. If you need a follow up meeting about Learning Support or any other issues this will be set up for you in your first couple of weeks at BIMM by our Head of Quality and Student Support. Career Action Planning Tutorials During your course you are encouraged to book in for a Career Action Planning Tutorial with either your Head of Department or another member of the team. These are a UNIQUE aspect of the BIMM experience which enables you to have intensive one-to-one meetings at least once a term with highly experienced professionals who know about the music business, because they have lived it. Our Head of Quality and Student Support monitors the uptake of these and will chase those of you who do not take advantage of the CAP Programme to make sure you don't miss out! Pastoral Tutorials At BIMM we also have a Pastoral Tutorial system. This works to help you deal with any issues that might get in the way of succeeding at BIMM e.g., medical, financial, accommodation or other personal issues. These tutorials are here to help you achieve your potential - please use them efficiently!
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