Module: PM7020-30 Professional Practice

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: James Saunders

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.saunders@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

This module supports your creative practice by equipping you with practical skills and understanding to help you present your work in public contexts. It aims to develop your effectiveness when working with arts professionals and organisations, improve your understanding of legal and business frameworks, and enhance your ability to promote your work.

This module aims to:

• Enable individual creative practice
• Provide access to a range of professional contexts
• Develop your understanding those contexts

2.Outline syllabus

In addition to developing the creative skills you need as a composer, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the environment you work in. This includes proposing projects to festival directors, knowing how to fund your work, managing contracts and rights, and promoting yourself effectively, as well as understanding the network of organisations who may help you develop your career as a composer. The module focuses on developing your professional skills in these areas to maximise the chance of your work being produced in public contexts.

Through a weekly seminar and supporting tutorials you will generate a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your professional skills as a composer. The seminars will focus on developing key skills including:

• understanding commissions, contracts, rights, and royalties
• developing project proposals, pitching, funding applications, and project management
• documenting, promoting, and disseminating creative practice
• designing and managing a personal website
• understanding publishing, festivals, broadcasting, and new music organisations

3.Teaching and learning activities

The module is taught through a weekly seminar that focuses on aspects of professional practice. The seminars will include exemplars for analysis and discussion, and where possible include visits from industry professionals to present current contexts. The learning and assessments are supported by tutorials to help you develop your portfolio of work. Some of the activities may, where appropriate, be externally relevant, such as live funding applications to support your projects and pitching to industry professionals.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Professional Development Portfolio (7,500 words equivalent)
• % Weighting: 100%