STUDY MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD
STUDY MUSIC ON ONE OF OUR ESTABLISHED COURSES, DELIVERED IN THE UNIQUE AND STUNNING ENVIRONMENT OF SAGE GATESHEAD, AND YOU WILL DEVELOP ALL THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BUILD A PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN MUSIC.
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There really is no better place to learn your
at the heart of a vibrant, professional music
craft than by coming to Sage Gateshead to
organisation, based in a stunning international
study music, where you will join an inspirational
venue. With excellent resources, a ‘state-of-the-
community of outstanding musicians with a
art’ learning environment and comprehensive
passion for playing, producing and teaching
student support, you can be confident that the
music. Studying music at Sage Gateshead is a
knowledge and skills you will take from here
unique experience that you won’t get anywhere
will provide you with the best start possible to
else. You’re not just learning about the music
develop and sustain a professional career
profession, you’re learning inside it, right
in music.
OUR UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC DEGREES ARE RATED BEST IN THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND FOR ‘ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK’ AND ‘PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT’ AND JOINT BEST FOR ‘TEACHING ON MY COURSE’ IN THE NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2015.
‘PORTFOLIO’ CAREER IN MUSIC Successful musicians sustain a career in music by being able to apply their musical skills in many ways, for example as performers, teachers, producers or composers. This way of working is known as having a ‘portfolio’ career. The courses at Sage Gateshead have been designed so that you can focus on the elements which you think will be most relevant to you and your professional music career. There are two main routes to graduation, depending on your aspirations, and these can be adapted to suit your personal preferences.
BA (Hons) Community Music –
BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and
for musicians who also see themselves
Commercial Music –
as teachers, and whose motivations may
for musicians who want to develop their
be socially-engaged as well as musical
technical musical skills (e.g. performance,
(e.g. wanting to work with children and
production, composition) to the highest
young people, or people with disabilities,
possible standards
the over-50s, music therapy, in schools or community settings)
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WHO WE ARE All teaching and learning is situated within the
We stage over 400 gigs a year featuring
premises and the practices of Sage Gateshead.
international household names as well as up
Sage Gateshead is respected nationally and
and coming artists, and over 70,000 people
internationally as a pioneer in the fields of
participate in our Learning and Participation
music education and performance as well as
programme each year, in every kind of music
being a renowned music venue with world
imaginable. There is no other musical ‘community
class acoustics. It directs and delivers one of
of practice’ like it, which is why becoming a part
the largest and most diverse music participation
of it will give you the best start to your career.
programmes in the UK with a faculty of around
Both of our music courses are validated by the
100 musicians, including professional community
University of Sunderland, so you will gain an
musicians, teachers and performers.es.
honours degree from a highly respected higher
sagegateshead.com
education institution, with an established and varied portfolio of vibrant dance, drama, music
Sage Gateshead is unique as a music
and performing arts courses on the Sunderland
organisation in that it recognises equally the
campuses and in partner institutions.
artistic value of both musical performance and
sunderland.ac.uk/performing_arts
participation.
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WHAT WE HAVE At Sage Gateshead, you will experience high quality teaching and learning, excellent resources and facilities and up-to-date connections to potential employers and the wider music industry.
Sage Gateshead is equipped with: • Outstanding performance spaces of acoustic excellence (Sage One & Sage Two) • Northern Rock Foundation Hall – a large
Studying music at Sage Gateshead is a unique
performance and rehearsal space
experience; as well as access to all of the on-
• A twenty-six room Music Education Centre
campus facilities in Sunderland you’d expect,
where all undergraduate teaching happens
you become a member of the ‘community’ of musicians at one of the UK’s most exciting music venues, with many benefits. You can book Sage Gateshead’s acoustically treated rehearsal
• The Music Learning Resource Centre – a technology suite with up-to-date software • An on-site library exclusively for our students
rooms for your own personal practice or band
• A vast collection of resources including
rehearsals. You will develop your skills as a
instruments and equipment
musician alongside established practitioners, and
• Other venue facilities such as a café, shop and
you will also have the opportunity to take part in
a brasserie
extra-curricular workshops and masterclasses with visiting musicians, as well as discounted deals for Sage Gateshead’s amazing programme of performances.
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join our community of musicians A unique aspect of studying at Sage Gateshead is the opportunity to meet and interact with hundreds of professional musicians. In addition to timetabled classes with tutors of the highest calibre there is also the chance to work with and perform alongside many of our visiting artists.
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Sting
Imogen Heap
Programme Tutors and Lecturers
ROUTES INTO HIGHER EDUCATION If you would like to study for a degree at Sage Gateshead but don’t have the necessary qualifications you could consider the Level 3 Popular Music Course or HE Access Course at Gateshead College. For further information please email: highereducation@sagegateshead.com
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BA Hons) COMMUNITY MUSIC 3 YEARS FULL-TIME | UCAS CODE WX39
Entry requirements TYPICAL OFFER – In the region of 280 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent. GCSE Maths and English, Grade C (or equivalent). For more information on entry requirements for this course see page 14.
What is Community Music? Students and graduates of this course say
themselves personally, artistically, socially and
there are a number of aspects to studying
culturally through music. Community Music
Community Music (CM) at Sage Gateshead:
encourages musical excellence and innovation, whilst enhancing the quality of life for people
1 - Working in Communities - community
in all communities, enhancing community
musicians are simply musicians who regularly
cohesion, and the social and economic aspects
teach or facilitate groups of participants, as
of community regeneration.
a key part of their professional ‘portfolio’ of employment. Most musicians teach at some
3 - Sage Gateshead Community – uniquely,
point in their career, and this course helps you
you become part of Sage Gateshead’s
to develop strong teaching and leadership
community of musicians
skills. Community Music involves using your own musical skills to help others make music,
4 - Student Community – learning the skills
and is an exciting opportunity for musicians
and values which underpin Community
with a passion for making a difference or who
Music means feeling part of a community
want to put something back. This might involve
yourself. This course is structured to promote
working with amateur choirs and orchestras,
cooperation and collaboration with your peers,
for example, or groups of young people or
and working with students from other years
people with disabilities.
and other programmes. We go out of our way to ensure the diverse musical experiences and
2 - Building Communities - as a community musician, you help other people develop
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skills of everyone on the course is valued by all.
Who is this course for? This innovative course is designed for anyone who is musically skilled, from school leavers to professional musicians, who want to apply their talents to working with people in a broad range of educational and community settings. You may already be an established performer, or have previous experience of leading or facilitating music-making. Sunderland is proud to be the only university in the North East offering students the opportunity to study for a Community Music degree.
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COURSE CONTENT This is a practical course where you will develop
As well as class-based study and skills
your creative and artistic skills to facilitate
development, you will develop your practical
musical activity with others through projects,
teaching and facilitation skills through regular
placements and community events. You will also
opportunities to be part of ‘real world’ practical
develop transferable skills in communication,
projects within Sage Gateshead’s extensive
organisation, self-resilience, leadership,
Learning and Participation programme,
teamwork and evaluation. You will develop
which works with over 70,000 people every
an awareness and understanding of distinctive
year in over 1,000 projects of every kind of
traditions, conventions, practices and contexts
music-making imaginable. By working closely
that have helped shape contemporary practice
with more experienced practitioners inside
within community music and you will become
outstanding authentic music education projects,
familiar with current trends and developments.
you will learn and develop the actual practical skills to do this kind of work when you graduate.
You will have the opportunity to study:
Indeed, graduates from the course are often
• Ensemble Musicianship
employed by Sage Gateshead, and recent
• Ensemble Leadership
undergraduates have even found employment
• Music Learning and Participation
within Sage Gateshead’s Learning and
• Music Language and Theory
Participation programme while still studying on
• Creative and Artistic Practice
the course. Recent graduates who’ve gone on to
• Complementary Ensemble Studies
study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Professional Studies
tell us that what they learned on the course has
• Contextual/Critical Studies
given them a practical advantage in securing a PGCE place, and a head start in becoming a music teacher.
There is an equal focus on developing as both musicians and as educators, with a lot of learning in one area being applied to the other. For example, everyone in Stage 2 leads a student ensemble in a genre of their choice, which helps to develop leadership skills which you can then apply in your educational work.
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Teaching and Assessment You will be taught by an experienced teaching team of musicians from Sage Gateshead, with excellent national reputations as musicians and music educators, and tutors from the University of Sunderland. You will be continually assessed via individual and practical projects, presentations, research documentation, essays, critical evaluations and public performances.
variety of directions; as well as developing successful careers as musicians, recent graduates have been employed in youth work, teaching, performing arts, social work and other related fields. You may also consider postgraduate study through the University of Sunderland’s Post Compulsory Certificate in Education and Training, a qualification for Teaching in Further Education.
Post-Graduation Throughout the course, you will develop your own musical skills, and learn how to inspire, motivate and organise others to enjoy music making. You will develop the skills you need for a successful ‘portfolio’ career in music, typically with a mix of performance, composition, teaching and community work. On graduation, you will be able to develop your career in a
Please note that successful applicants to this course are required to undergo the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) process in order to proceed with their course. If you don’t intend to include teaching or facilitation as part of your career, you may wish to apply for BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music (page 11).
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BMUS (HONS) JAZZ, POPULAR AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC 3 YEARS FULL-TIME | UCAS CODE WX39
Entry requirements TYPICAL OFFER – In the region of 280 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent. GCSE Maths and English, Grade C (or equivalent). For more information on entry requirements for this course see page 13.
Who is this course for? If you are a music practitioner who is keen
music in the UK and has produced many
to work professionally in a variety of music
outstanding professional musicians over the
styles and genres, then this course is for you.
years.
On a modular basis, you will study a carefully selected range of core subjects, complemented
You will gain a comprehensive understanding
by projects in areas of your own interests.
of the theory and practice of music making, enabling you to understand and challenge
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The course offers you the opportunity to study
the nature of the music industry and achieve
professional musicianship at undergraduate
success in a range of careers. You will be
level, developing practical, technical and
assessed through performance, written
theoretical expertise through intellectual
essays, musical scores, written and practical
discipline. This established course was one of
examinations, seminar presentations and
the first to be developed for jazz and popular
practical assignments.
COURSE CONTENT Teaching and Assessment Our teaching staff are all professional musicians with established national profiles in the fields of jazz, popular and commercial music. Their experience and expertise continuously inform the curriculum, creating a stimulating, vocational environment where you will encounter a journey of discovery, reflection and achievement. This nurturing atmosphere, combined with an inspiring curriculum, will encourage you to discover and realise your full potential in your chosen musical career. This course has developed and extended links with external professional music practitioners, the music industry and professional organisations through ongoing consultation, visiting lecturers and masterclasses. Recent masterclasses have been delivered by Sting, Bill Frisell, Bill Bruford, Lulo Reinhardt, Yellowjackets and Mark Knopfler.
You will have the opportunity to study:
Post-Graduation
• Instrumental Tuition
On graduation, you will be able to develop
• Ensembles
your career in a variety of directions; as well
• Harmony & Arranging
as developing successful careers as musicians,
• Music Technology
recent graduates have been employed as
• Composition
producers, composers and teachers. You may
• Improvisation
also consider postgraduate study through the
• Music Production
University of Sunderland’s Post Compulsory
• Complementary Ensemble Studies
Certificate in Education and Training, a
• Keyboard and Aural Studies
qualification for Teaching in Further Education.
• Contextual/Critical Studies • Professional Studies
If you intend to include a large element of teaching or facilitation as part of your career, you may wish to apply for BA (Hons) Community Music (page 7).
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HOW TO APPLY Our cutting edge courses are open to a range of musicians drawn from the broadest range of genres from jazz, popular and world, to folk and classical. We are looking for students who are confident musicians (grades not necessary) and who bring commitment and passion to their chosen course. Our typical offer will be 280 points from a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Maths and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. Musicians with alternative qualifications and experience will be considered. If English is not your first language, you will also need a minimum of IELTS 6, or equivalent.
BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music Please submit your application through UCAS
The audition will involve performing two
using the code W340 – more details at
contrasting pieces and undertaking sight
ucas.com
reading and aural tests. The equivalent of an Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Preparation
Grade 8 performance standard is normally
In applying for this course, you will be invited to
required. You will be expected to demonstrate
attend an interview, audition and examination,
the equivalent of the ABRSM Grade 5 music
for which a fee is payable. This process will
theory such as scales and chords, in a written paper.
allow us to make a detailed assessment of your personal strengths and weaknesses as a
You will be asked to demonstrate an aptitude
potential professional musician. As a result, we
for composition and arranging. A knowledge of
will offer you valuable, constructive advice that
the basic equipment and processes involved in
you can use to build a self-development plan for
music recording and production will normally
the future.
be expected. You will also be assessed on your general communication skills. During the interview, you will be given an opportunity to discuss your aims and objectives, as well as ask any questions you may have.
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BA (Hons) Community Music Please submit your application through UCAS
Preparation
using the code WX39 – more details at
In applying for this course, you will be invited
ucas.com
to take part in both a group workshop and an interview. You will be invited to play and/or
If you are successful in your application, you
sing and undertake a short, written task as part
will be required to undergo the DBS (Disclosure
of the interview process. We are interested in
& Barring Service) process to allow you to take
your musical skills and your potential as a music
part in music projects with various groups. You
leader and team player.
will need to have successfully completed the DBS process, for which there is a fee, before starting the course.
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GRADUATE CASE STUDIES Emily Blyth BA (Hons) Community Music graduate Emily graduated with first class honours from the BA (Hons) Community Music degree in 2014. She came to the degree as a mature student looking for a change of direction after seven years in the financial services industry, and this turned out better than she ever could have expected. Emily is also an active member of the Green Party. “I discovered a love of teaching adults and older people, and had the chance to work as a choir leader while completing my degree. I’m now living in another part of the country, and the skills and experiences I gained while studying and working at Sage Gateshead have given me the confidence to set up my own projects as a teaching musician. The amazing thing about studying at Sage Gateshead is that you’re immersed in an incredible, diverse musical world, with performances and teaching happening all around you every day. The wealth of opportunities for students to develop skills, network with professionals, and gain useful experience is enormous.”
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Laura Reavley
Alongside the delivery on the degree we were
BA (Hons) Community Music graduate
able to meet and network with professional
Laura is a classically trained piano and woodwind instrumentalist who now works as a Project Musician at Sage Gateshead.
musicians both within and outside Sage Gateshead which was invaluable! I can honestly say I would not be where I am without the degree! My favourite thing about
“Studying at Sage Gateshead was an
being a Project Musician is the wide variety
invaluable experience. I was studying
of people I work with and in very different
alongside working musicians as well as being
settings. My current working week involves
able to see how a music organisation works.
running a Choir for people aged over 50,
Being at Sage Gateshead for my degree gave
Leading mixed ability Adult Learning Classes
me a ‘real-life’ experience which enabled me
for Saxophone and Flute, running Family
to learn and be inspired by all of the music
Music Sessions for Under 5’s and Babies, 1:1
around me!
Instrumental lessons for Young People with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities as well as
The skills and experience you gain from a
working in a Special Needs School delivering
degree in Community Music really prepares
part of the Music Curriculum! No two days are
you for working with people who have a
ever the same and that’s exactly why I love it!
diverse range of abilities. At the same time it challenges you to think about why you do
I also have the opportunity to write and
what you do and the impact it can have on
arrange music for groups which is another
yourself as a musician as well as those you
passion of mine. There is a great sense of
work with.
achievement when you see a group perform something you have written/arranged!”
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Adam Sinclair BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music graduate
daily basis; understanding of harmony and arrangement, composition, aural skills, music technology, business skills, as well as the large network of talented musicians I developed
“I chose the BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and
through being part of the course. The course’s
Commercial Music degree as I found that
graduates are musicians of a consistently
many other courses on offer were too limiting
outstanding standard. I certainly felt I learned
in their focus, being either Jazz or Popular
all of the skills required to enter the world
music. The fact that this course covers a much
of the session musician with full confidence,
wider range of styles really appealed to me,
and it fills me with confidence when I play
and I felt this would be a big advantage
alongside other musicians that have graduated
looking forward towards my professional career.
from the course as I know they’ll be up to the job!
I currently work as a Record Producer and
Studying Music at Sage Gateshead is a great
Engineer, getting to work alongside some of
opportunity for students. They get to study
the world’s top flight producers and artists. I’m
within a world class concert venue, and
also a freelance drummer which has seen me
perform on stages that have hosted the world’s
perform at the O2 Arena, Glastonbury Festival
top musicians. With links to the Gateshead
and European rock festivals to audiences of
International Jazz Festival and opportunities
20,000 people. The degree set me up with a
for students to perform within the building,
whole range of skills that have been essential
there is the chance for students to graduate
to my professional work. I am also now a tutor
with a CV that already includes one of the
on the course. As a producer, I use many of
world’s leading venues.”
the skills developed through the course on a
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Paul Susans BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music graduate “I graduated from the BMus (Hons) Jazz,
Sage Gateshead has been central to my
Popular and Commercial Music degree course
career since it was founded. Studying here,
in 2002. I first borrowed the school Bass
being employed as a trainee and now
Guitar for the summer holidays when I was
teaching have been key developments for me
13. I have since built a glowing reputation
as a musician. Not to mention the countless
as a performer and educator, worldwide. I
gigs I have played here, in every imaginable
play bass instruments for Newcastle’s own
performance space. I would wholeheartedly
wandering minstrels, the Baghdaddies, as
recommend studying music here, as it provides
well as being an academic tutor at Sage
a unique student experience that, in addition
Gateshead since 2012. Over the years, it
to excellent courses and tutors, gives students
has been a privilege to work with the Mark
immediate access to many of the region’s most
Williams trio, Keith Morris, Peter Wiegold,
exciting professional projects. My aim for the
Nitin Sawhney, Brendan Murphy, Paul Edis,
future is to continue to grow and learn as a
Alan Barnes, and Zoe Gilby.
musician.“
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STUDY MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD Try us out
Contact us
What’s it like to be a student at Sage
For more information about our courses and
Gateshead? The best way to find out is to get
staff, please visit Sage Gateshead’s website at
a feel for it yourself and come for a visit. We
sagegateshead.com/join-in/further-and-higher-
will gladly give you a tour of our fantastic
education
building and hopefully we can introduce you to some of our current students. Please register
Otherwise, please feel free to email us at
your interest with us by emailing
highereducation@sagegateshead.com or call
highereducation@sagegateshead.com and
the team on +44(0)191 4434666.
we’ll be in touch. You can also contact University of Sunderland’s You might also like to visit University of
Course Helpline on +44(0)191 515 3000 or
Sunderland at one of their open days on
visit www.sunderland.ac.uk/performing_arts
campus. For more information, visit the website at www.sunderland.ac.uk
Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside
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0191 443 4666 sagegateshead.com