THIS COURSE IS UNIQUE

The Royal Northern College of Music offers the UK'sonly 4-year Bachelor of Music degree in Popular Music

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

• Our mission is to educate, train and develop students tohave successful, sustainable careers as professionalmusicians.

• The curriculum seeks to develop students’ musical identitythrough creative composition, production and performancebased modules that enable them to be high qualityperformers and original artists in their own right.

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PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

• In addition to the rigorous instrumental / vocal teaching, theprogramme also develops academic and creative skills, andcultivates business acumen and entrepreneurial activitythrough employment and employability training.

• We view all of our students as professional musicians from theoutset and actively encourage and support them inestablishing their careers alongside their studies.

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“As a music artist who regularly employs freelance musicians, Iwholeheartedly support this course as it gives a fantastic opportunity foraspiring musicians to get the training they need to work in this role.”

Jools Holland

YEAR 1 MODULES

Module Credit

Principal Study 1• Technical Development

30

Ensemble Performance 1• Ensemble Weeks• Studio Recording• Live Events

30

Musicianship 1• Theory & Aural• Rhythmic & Harmonic Connections

30

Artist & Repertoire 1 • DAW & Lead Sheet Writing• Song Writing & Analysis • The Music Industry

30

YEAR 2 MODULES

Module Credit

Principal Study 2• Technical & Interpretive Development

30

Ensemble Performance 2• Ensemble Weeks• Studio Recording• Live Events

30

Musicianship 2• Theory & Aural• Improvisation

30

Artist & Repertoire 2 • Song Writing & Arranging• Marketing & Promotion

30

YEAR 3 MODULES

Module Credit

Principal Study 3• Performance Repertoire

40

Ensemble Performance 3• Original Ensembles Project

40

Optional Modules4 x 10 credit modules from the Research and Practical Electives Menu

40

OPTIONAL MODULES

Research Electives

• Aesthetics of Film Music• An Introduction to Electronic Music• Applied Music Psychology • Classical Crossover• Jazz • Metal• Music Acoustics• Music and Gender• Music, Science and Mathematics• Popular Music Research

Note: This menu changes each year in accordance with faculty research BM

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OPTIONAL MODULES

Practical Electives

• Collaborative Composition• Commercial Arranging• Composing for Media• Horn & Rhythm Section Playing• Live Sound Engineering• Musical Direction• Music Educator• Recording & Production for Musicians• Songwriting Workshop• Stagecraft and Communication for Singers

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YEAR 4 MODULES

Module Credit

Principal Study 4• Final Showcase Performance

60

Professional Engagement 60

Music Industry:

• BBC – assistant producer internships with BBC 6 Music

• Brighter Sound – producer of creative music projects and events

• Hope Mill Theatre – assistant artistic director / assistant producer

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

Music Industry:

• Liverpool Sound City – assistant producer internship at an awardwinning music and arts festival

• Music for Youth – producers / curators / music mentors forregional and national festivals and the Schools Prom at the RoyalAlbert Hall

• Sofar Sounds – curator / producer for lounge concerts in NewYork City

• Sony Music – music management internship at Sony MusicSydney

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

Music Education:

• Arts & College Preparatory Academy – instrumental and vocalteaching / music mentoring in Columbus Ohio

• Dulwich College International – teaching / music mentoring /festival planning and performance in China, Singapore and SouthKorea

• Fidler Music – peripatetic teaching and company management

• Greater Manchester Music Hub – peripatetic teaching in schools

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

Professional Musician:

• Carnival Cruises – working as a professional cruise ship musician inthe Carribbean, Bahamas and Australasia

• Northern Quarter Records – working as a professional signed artist/ band – artist development, studio recording, live shows,logistics, promotion, digital distribution, sales and merchandising

• USC Thornton School of Music – working as NQR artists in LosAngeles

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

“You can’t teach originality or talent, but you can honeit, structure it and give it discipline.

That’s what happens here.”

Jeremy Pritchard – Everything Everything

“The School of Popular Music at the RNCM is withoutdoubt the best is the UK. The students here are not onlytalented, but they are artists in their own right and havethe kind of professional attitude you need to succeed inthe music industry.”

Paul Turner – Jamoroquai

Northern Quarter Records is an independent label born out of theRNCM Popular Music programme.

Artists are signed on a one-year deal during which they:

• Write / record / release an EP or Album

• Create artwork / music videos / promotional materials

• Enhance their Radio / TV / Social Media presence

• Play touring live shows across the UK

• Perform in the Summer Festival season

NORTHERN QUARTER RECORDS

Our artists work with music industry professionals including:

• Artist mangers• Digital distribution companies• Film makers• Live sound engineers• Marketing and PR companies• Music Lawyers• Photographers• Producers• Promoters• Tour managers• Videographers

NORTHERN QUARTER RECORDS

STAFF

Andy Stott Head of Popular MusicModule Coordinator – Principal Study

Ensemble Performance

Dr Rodrigo Constanzo Deputy Head of Popular MusicModule Coordinator – Musicianship

Katie Chatburn Module Coordinator – Artist & Repertoire

Ben Cottrell Module Coordinator – Professional Engagement

Dr Mauricio Pauly Module Coordinator – MMus

Claire Brown Popular Music AdministratorBM

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STAFF

Nicki Allan Vocal Tutor

Jenn Clempner Vocal Tutor

Ollie Collins Bass Guitar Tutor

David Coyle Recording & Production Tutor

Alex Dee Ensemble Performance Tutor

Wayne Ellington Vocal Tutor

Luke Flowers Drum Tutor

Simon Goulding Bass Guitar TutorBM

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STAFF

Phil Gregory Musicianship Tutor

Richard Hammond Bass Guitar Tutor

Bryan Hargreaves Drum Tutor

Dave Hassell Drum Tutor

Johnny Heyes Guitar Tutor

Andy Hickey Keyboard Tutor

Audrey Lawrence-Mattis Vocal Tutor

Stuart McCallum Guitar TutorBM

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STAFF

Hannah McGuigan Vocal Tutor

Johnni Musgrave Keyboard Tutor

Jon Shone Musical Direction Tutor

Matt Steele Keyboard Tutor

Jasper Wilkinson Bass Guitar Tutor

Simon Willescroft Horn & Rhythm Section Tutor

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VISITING TUTORS

Callum Beattie – Original Artist Singer / Songwriter

Fred Bolza – Vice President Strategy Sony BMG Music Industry

Guy Chambers – Robbie Williams / Mark Ronson Songwriting

Kim Chandler – Bee Gees / Neil Diamond Vocals

Yolanda Charles – Paul Weller / Robbie Williams Bass Guitar

Scott Cohen – CEO The Orchard Music Industry

JP Cooper – Original Artist Singer / Songwriter

Steffen Geldner – Social Media Professor Digital Promotion

Rob Harris – Jamiroquai / Kylie Minogue Guitar

Elliott Henshaw – Jersey Boys / Wicked Drums

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VISITING TUTORS

Richard Jupp – Elbow Drums

Bill Laurance – Snarky Puppy Keyboards

Dominic Miller – Sting / Phil Collins Guitar

Jamie Norton – Take That / Lily Allen Keyboards / MD

Mo Pleasure – Earth Wind & Fire / Michael Jackson Keyboards / MD

Jason Rebello – Sting / Chaka Khan Keyboards

Stefan Redtenbacher – Amy Winehouse / Mica Paris Bass Guitar

Patrice Rushen – Stevie Wonder / Quincy Jones Composition

Chris Sampson – USC Thornton School of Music Songwriting

Steve Sidwell – BBC Concert Orchestra Musical Direction

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VISITING TUTORS

Luke Smith – George Michael / Eric Clapton Keyboards

Ash Soan – Adele / James Morrison Drums

Becca Stevens – Original Artist Singer / Songwriter

Paul Turner – Jamiroquai / Sister Sledge Bass Guitar

Mike Walker – The Impossible Gentlemen Guitar

Pete Waterman – Producer Music Industry

Anni Williams – Al Jarreau / CeeLo Green Vocals

Cory Wong – Vulfpeck Guitar

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INTERNATIONAL CHAIR IN POPULAR MUSIC SNARKY PUPPY

Shaping the future of music…

Interplay is a professional network ofeducators, practitioners and studentsfrom the world’s finest conservatoire-based popular music programmes.

Interplay champions high quality degreelevel popular music education and aimsto promote its status and profile onglobal scale.

Interplay aspires to have a majorinfluence on the popular musicprofession through ethical advocacy,collaborative working and sharing ofgood practice, training the futureleaders of the popular music industry.

ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC

As RNCM students, you will benefit from all of the facilities at the college,including professional performance spaces, recording studios, the library, practicerooms, and the live music concert programme.

ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC

The world’s largest BOXY studio…

BLUEPRINT STUDIOS

Blueprint Studios is Manchester’spremier rehearsal and recordingstudio. The studios are home toMercury Award winners Elbow andare a focal point for both establishedand up and coming bands andrecording artists.

Ensemble Performance sessions aredelivered at Blueprint Studios inindustry standard rehearsal roomsand recording studios.

LEVER STREET STUDIOS

Based in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter, Lever Street Studios is hometo Music for Brands – an award winning commercial composition andproduction company supplying music for the film and television advertisingindustries.

In the 3rd year of the programme, students have the opportunity to record,collaborate with, and be supervised by Lever Street Studio’s experiencedprofessional producers in realizing their Original Ensembles Project.

THE SCHOOL OF SOUND RECORDING& FUTUREWORKS

In partnership with two of the UK’s leading Music Technology and SoundRecording University Colleges, students work on joint recording and liveperformance projects in state-of-the-art facilities alongside influential industryprofessionals.

PERFORMANCEOPPORTUNITIES

• With BMus and MMus Classical Students

• With MMus Popular Music Students

• Northern Sessions

• Northern Voices A Cappella Singers

• RNCM Session Orchestra

• RNCM Big Band

• RNCM Revue

• RNCM Pop Choir

• With SSR Students

• With Futureworks Students

• Northern Sessions provides live performance opportunities for bands / artists in all years

• The sessions are managed by Northern Quarter Records, providing support in bookings, logistics and promotion

• November 2016 concert tour to Shanghai• March 2017 sell out concert RNCM Theatre with The Bill Laurance Band• June 2017 sell out concert RNCM Theatre• July 2017 Garage Classical with DJ Spoony at LIMF• October 2017 sell out concert RNCM Theatre• December 2017 concert with Manchester Inspirational Voices – Bridgewater Hall• Every Concert support slot opportunities for Student Bands

RNCM SESSION ORCHESTRA

“This is the real deal, pop music is here, it exists and it’sserious… I would certainly encourage my children to beinvolved in something like this.”

Dominic Miller – Sting

“There is something very special about what they do atthe RNCM. I have spoken and given master classes inmany faculties across the world, but the RNCM reallydoes have the leading edge. I feel that energy, and that'swhat keeps drawing me back.”

Jon Shone – Musical Director One Direction

APPLICATIONS

• Apply online through UCAS Conservatoires - deadline October 2nd

• ABRSM / RGT / Rockschool / Trinity grade 8 standard

• GCE A level (A2) in 2 subjects or

o Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner Qualification or

o BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject area

o International Baccalaureate (24 points minimum) – including music higher level course

• 4 passes at GCSE level grades A*- C - two of which must be EnglishLanguage and Mathematics

• Equivalent of ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory

• The admissions panel will consider admitting applicants who do not havethe previously stated qualifications, but who demonstrate threshold abilitiesthrough their audition and interview

AUDITIONS

• Online Theory Exam – sat at the RNCM before the audition (30 minutes)

• Performance 1 – own choice piece (5 mins)

• Performance 2 – from set pieces for each instrument / voice (5 mins)

• Musicianship tests – instrument specific (5 mins)

• Interview (15 minutes)

AUDITIONS

What are we looking for?

• A high level of technical proficiency

• Stylistic understanding

• Energy and presence

• Confidence

• Musicianship – scales, modes, technical exercises, rudiments

• Well organised – equipment, scores, backing tracks

Choose your audition piece carefully

THEORY EXAMINATION

What are we looking for?

Knowledge and understanding of:

• Key signatures

• Time signatures

• Chord construction

• Intervals

• Melodic devices

• Rhythmic devices

INTERVIEW

What are we looking for?

• Clear understanding of why you chose this programme

• Ability to self-reflect and articulate your own strengths and areas for development

• Understanding of the popular music industry and your employment potential within it

• Confident and articulate

• Intelligent, considered responses

• The Summer School provides the unique opportunity to work with someof the finest teachers, musicians and students in the UK as well as thechance to meet, perform and socialize with like-minded talentedmusicians who aspire to be RNCM Popular Music students.

• The 3 day residential summer school involves advice auditions with theHead of Popular Music, performance classes with instrumental and vocalstaff, improvisation sessions with musicianship tutors, opportunity toperform with current students, and rehearsals with musical directors inpreparation for a live gig.

• You will stay with fellow summer school delegates at Sir Charles GroveHall of residence and dine at the RNCM café and Revolution OxfordRoad.

• There are only 30 places available, allocated on a first come first servedbasis.

• The cost of the 3-day summer school is £300 and includes all tuition,accommodation and meals.

• Register online at www.rncm.ac.uk

2016-17 RESULTS CLASSIFICATIONS

Year 1st 2:1 2:2 3rd Fail

1 25% 53% 22% 0 0

2 27% 57% 13.5% 2.5% 0

3 52.5% 35% 10% 2.5% 0

4 57% 43% 0 0 0

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NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2016-17

Category Grade

Teaching on my course 98%

Learning opportunities 100%

Assessment and feedback 88%

Academic support 98%

Organisation and management 87%

Learning resources 88%

Learning community 100%

Student voice 95%

Overall student satisfaction 100%

Response rate – 100%

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“The musical landscape is constantly changing. It is imperative that musiceducation recognises this in order that young musicians are trained to maximisetheir opportunity within it.

This high level, conservatoire-based performance course developing technicaland musical excellence will help maintain Britain’s reputation for producingsome of the best musicians in the world.”

Sir George Martin