SONGWRITING DEGREE - BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music

Songwriting / BA(Hons) Degree Commercial Modern Music

Qualification Overview
Modules
Entry Requirements
Career Progression
Course Specification

"I am aware of BIMM's track record as the leading provider of modern music training in the UK, and the success of their graduates and their employment in all areas of the music industry." Bob Geldof

The BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music is a 4-year programme which has been designed specifically for performing artists, songwriters and those running commercial music projects who want to gain a degree-level qualification, while at the same time fulfilling their creative and commercial potential. The course encourages musicians to develop their performance skills whilst developing their career goals using a deadline-driven project management approach, keeping focus on the individual's aspirations.

Validation by the Dublin Institute of Technology

The BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music is run in partnership with Dublin Institue of Technology. All successful graduates will therefore receive the award of Bachelor of Arts from the Dublin Institute of Technology, as the degree-awarding body. The Dublin Institute of Technology is responsible for assuring the quality of degree course, ensuring that the curriculum content and all teaching, learning and assessment is at an appropriate level for the award. The Institute also ensures that BIMM Dublin has mechanisms for assuring and enhancing the delivery of the course and the overall quality of the student experience. Students will be registered with DIT.

Our songwriting courses are the first of their kind. 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.

Below is an outline of what to expect on your BA Degree programme. All modules are subject to change.

Year 1 and Year 2 Modules

There are two pathways through the programme - the Instrumental/Vocal stream (I/V) and the Songwriting stream (SW), each having their own individual modules as indicated below. The other modules are studeied by all streams.

Styles 1 & 2 (I/V) Genre-based performance workshops focusing on the sounds and skills found in each style as it evolved. Includes historical context, critical listening and the techniques used by the world's most influential musicians.

Techniques 1 & 2 These units will enable musicians to developin other areas of technical study, as well as enhancing their musical vocabulary. A disciplined approach to regular practice is essential for success in this unit.

Songwriting Techniques 1 & 2 (SW) This involves the preparation of songs to professional studio standards. Parts, arrangement, tone and perofmrance will all be broken down and analysed. This is the opportunity to put into practice what has been learned in Techniques.

Arrangement Analysis 1 & 2 (SW) Arrangement Analysis is concerend with the deconstruction and study of the elements that make up successful popular songs. This includes a look at the historical, social and biographical context that may have had a bearing on the composers of these songs, as well as a study of some of the specific influences and references that they utilised.

Music Business & Study Skills/Advanced Music Business & Study Skills Practical music industry knowledge that will help you plan your career. We will cover all aspects of the music industry in comprehensive detail including record deals, publishing deals, management, music synchronisation, legal issues, copyright, music teaching, live music, and business planning.

Artist Development & Entrepreneurship Planning of key performances at local, national and international levels. Rehearsal techniques, promtoion, marketing, leadership, venues and promoters, tour management, stage management and budgeting are all areas for study. Attention to detail and focus on how to make things happen at the highest level.

Live Performance Workshop 1 & 2 Making songs studied in Pre-Production work in a live setting. Learning a vocabulary for communicating ideas with other musicians. Working on making sure that your band and perofrmance are tight, well arranged and professional, and sounds like a professional band through a big PA.

Music Theory & Arrangement/Applied Music Theory & Arrangement A comprehensive look at how music works and the practical application of theoretical concepts; understanding what you hear in terms of song structure, instrumentation and harmony

Year 3 Modules

All students take mandatory modules in their third year of study. These modules are an example of some of the units you could be studying during Year 3 of your degree programme. All modules for the academic year beginning in September will be conformed to you in writing prior to the commencement of your programme.

Research Methods Musicians undertake a research project that supports their planning for the Professional Project module. For example, a vocalist could research the techniques involved in getting a vocal sound in the studio, or a band musician planning a national tour could prepare a case study on a relevant breaking act or important venue.

Cultural Perspectives A comprehensive history of popular music from 1900 to 1970, which analyses the social and political conditions that influenced the development of the art form, as well as evaluating key releases from influential artists.

Professional Musicianship This class focuses on high-level technical development in songwriting. In addition to the lectures on technique, musicians will need to choose an area in which to specialise. This will be chosen in negotiation with the tutors and should support the final Professional Project aims.

Theory & Transcription This module assists musicians with ear training, transcription skills and notation. It discusses broad theoretical issues and introduces non-Western and 'classical' techniques of composition, analysis and performance.

You will also be required to take a selection of optional modules. These modules are an example of some of the units you could be studying during Year 3 of your degree programme. All modules for the academic year beginning in September will be confirmed to you in writing prior to commencement of your programme.

Performance in Context In this class musicians map their own performances against professional work using original and cover material. Performances are routinely videoed and critically assessed in small group settings.

Commercial Band Management This class helps musicians understand how to run a commercial covers band as a business. Musicians will develop a gig project under the direction of professional musical directors and agents.

Studio Recording This module is designed to help studio musicians understand basic engineering principles and take responsibility for the sonic direction of their recordings. With this knowledge, any musician should be able to get a quality tone in even the most basic of studios. This module also covers studio-based arrangement skills.

The Songwriter/Producer This module will address the musical and technological aspects of writing and producing popular songs, and will include focus on song form and structures (AABC etc); cadences and chord progressions; modulation; writing and harmonising melodies; lyric writing and applying learning to original material. Linked to this theme will be the introduction of technical training in the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), which have become the mainstay of this discipline.

Traditional Irish Music Modules in Traditional Irish Music in DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama may be available subject to audition.

Year 4 Modules

All students take the mandatory modules in their fourth year of study. These modules are an example of some of the units you could be studying during Year 4 of your degree programme. All modules for the academic year beginning in September will be confirmed to you in writing prior to commencement of your programme.

Personal and Business Development Musicians are encouraged to consider their own personal and business development. This is an essential module for band players and singers. Topics covered include effective team working, stress management, time management and goal setting.

Analytical Perspectives This module examines the history of popular music from 1970 to 2000. It looks at the work of significant artists and examines the lineage of their influences through the different generations of popular music.

Professional Project Two years of hard work come together in the realisation of the student's final year project. Elements of the final term will be delivered on site, but the module will mainly be undertaken via self-directed study and implementation of project ideas. For example, a musician may take a project on the road, combining touring with an album release and press camapign. Extensive tutorial support is offered through telephone and email consultation.

You will also be required to take a selection of optional modules. These modules are an example of some of the units you could be studying during Year 4 of your degree programme. All modules for the academic year beginning in September will be confirmed to you in writing prior to commencement of your programme.

Solo Performance Musicians perform either on their own or using backing tracks. A clinic-style presentation could work well in this module. Again, work is compared to professional material and students must critically assess their progress and attainment.

Ensemble Performance This class gives musicians a final chance to hone a set before commencing the final Professional Project. Musicians map their work against that of professionals and make recommendations for future working practice.

Commercial Songwriting This module will further address the musical and technological aspects of writing and producing popular songs, and will include focus on composition for the media and moving image alongside commercial concerns and production values vital to this discipline. Musicians will continue to develop technical skills along with creative techniques common to working with sound and image.

Music Business Studies This module involves a thorough investigation into the music business, with detailed analysis of contracts and music business structures. There will also be high profile guest speakers.

Music Teaching Practice This module deals with the development of strong teaching skills, from one-to-one tuition to large group classroom work. Small teaching practice business models are discussed and musicians can investigate full-time teaching as a career option either in mainstream education or as a private practitioner.

Traditional Irish Music Modules in Traditional Irish Music in DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama may be available subject to audition.

In addition to practical and academic lessons, course delivery is supported by BIMM's comprehensive tutorial system that enables every musician to benefit from widespread access to music industry professionals for expert help and advice. There are also many extra-curricular activities including rehearsing, recording and performing in public, and visits from high level professional musicians and other music industry personnel.

Success in all modules will lead to the award of a BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music.

Any information on our website is believed to be correct but is not part of any agreement with parents or students. Courses and course content are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change.

ALL IRISH AND EU NATIONALS MUST APPLY FOR DT506 THROUGH THE CAO.

THE CAO APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 1st FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF ENTRY. AFTER THAT DATE NO LATE APPLICATION OR CHANGE OF MIND CAN BE MADE.

You will also need to attend an audition so that we can get an idea of your current Songwriting and playing standard. You should be able to demonstrate Songwriting experience evidenced by a portfolio of material with the ability to process and create melodic, harmonic and considered lyric material. You will also need to show basic instrument ability on guitar or keyboard and intermediate vocal performance level.

The minimum entry requirements are Leaving Certificate in six subjects, two of which must be at grade C3 or higher on higher level papers or an equivalent qualification. This means you must have at least a pass on 4 Ordinary Level papers and have a grade C3 or higher on 2 Higher Level papers. In addition, your assessment will also contribute towards your eligibility for entry onto the course.

Mature Applicants

Applicants must be 23 on 1st January 2013 to be considered as a mature student for entry in September 2013. Applications should be made through the CAO as usual, but pay particular attention to page 13 of the CAO Handbook for details on additional information required with your application.

This programme falls under the Free Fees Scheme. If you are eligible for this you will only have to pay the student contribution fee of €2,250 per year. You will find further information on the Free Fees Scheme here.

If you are not eligible to claim Free Fees you will be required to pay tuition fees on top of the student contribution. For the 2012-2013 academic year, full-time undergraduate fees are €1,569. For more information please visit the Registration section of the DIT website. You may be eligible to claim a grant to assist with your fees. New applications should be made to SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).

Fees for international students vary. For more detailed information on this please contact the International Office in DIT.

BA(Hons) Commercial Modern Music

Applications to the BA(Hons) in Commercial Modern Music must be made through the CAO (www.cao.ie).

The deadline for this is 1st February on the year of entry. As the course is restricted no change of mind or late applications can be made.

Mode of Attendance: Full time
Length of Course: 4 years
Awarding Institution: Dublin Institute of Technology
Teaching Institution: BIMM Dublin, 62-64 Francis Street, Dublin 8
Language of Study: English
Final Award: BA(Hons) Degree
Admissions Criteria: As well as successfully completing an audition, applicants must achieve minimum entry requirements of 2 Higher Level C3s and 4 Ordinary Level passes at Leaving Cert.