Welcome to BTEC Popular Music

Music After QE

Bob MacKenzie LIPA Liverpool Sound Technology

I had to create a portfolio with a track that I had recorded followed up with some written work about my recording experiences and personal statement kind of thing. The interview was a group interview (4 of us) with two members of staff and lasted about an hour. Each of our tracks got played and then we had to talk about our own track and give feedback to others. Was all pretty friendly!

Just coming to the end of 3rd year and I specialised in music recording and production. I also did option modules in film & TV sound, broadcast sound (live TV and radio), and theatre sound.

Just like on my QE Pop Music course, over 70% of our learning at LIPA is practical so a very 'hands on' approach. We're also taught stuff like contracts, music royalties, licensing, taxes etc. And probably most importantly we get introduced to so many contacts, either graduates or LIPA ambassadors. Course graduates range from Producer of Blossoms/The 1975, Sound engineer at Glastonbury and bass player for The Beatles!

For the past few months I've been assisting mixing engineer Mike Cave (probably most well know for doing a few tracks from Lewis Capaldi's album) which has been great.

Emily Simpson Leeds College of Music Popular Music (Guitar)

I had an audition and played two songs of my choice. You don’t get a proper theory test but during the audition they’ll ask you to play a few basic scales and chords. I remember getting asked to play Cmaj7 in as many positions as possible so it wasn’t too bad.

Go to as many freshers events as you can, even if it’s not your thing. Nearly everyone has moved to the city alone so it’s the best time to try and make friends as everyone is in the same boat.

The hardest thing for me was the tech test, which is where you have to play different scales, arpeggios, chord inversions, triads/diads and sight reading. A lot of the course pushes you but that’s the whole point of uni. On my course I’m the only female guitarist but that’s got nothing to do with the Uni really

Music tuition is a handy module to take as it’s likely you’re going to have to teach at some point in your career. This year (final year) my favourite modules were collaborative songwriting and music journalism.

In first year everyone has to do a compulsory music business model where you learn about the basics of things like the MU, licenses, royalties, running business, etc. Then as you progress through the years you can choose specific business modules to suit what you think you want to do in the future

I’m happy in Leeds, it’s got a lot going on, especially music-wise.

Matty Lamb University of Salford Popular Music & Recording

I had an audition, which I loved! Just running through some scales and performing some pieces, this doubled as an interview where they asked my interests both musical and otherwise and I also completed a short theory test just to check I had a basic understanding of music theory.

I think it's a good idea to go out and meet new people during Freshers as moving to a big city can be daunting. Also try and make friends with the people who you're living with cause you’re with them for the best part of a year it's good to be friendly with them. Also try and talk to people who are on your course once lectures start as you'll most likely be with them for your whole stay at uni, I'm currently living with some people I became friends with last year.

The studios were a brand new environment for me but I found there's plenty of help at university. In my second year I’ll chose to do Advanced Studio and Location Recording and Advanced Composition and Arranging.

A module called Professional Development in the Creative Industries, is aimed at giving us relevant information that can hopefully aid us in our journey into a career in the music industry, covering things from putting on gigs and releasing music to freelancing and session work.

I currently work in events, setting up before gigs and packing up afterwards. But I'm hoping to get into live and recorded sound, perhaps within a studio. Or become a composer and write music for Films and TV.

I'm really loving living in Salford, I think it's a great mix of city and town living as it is just a ten minute train ride away from Manchester city centre so I can go out into Manchester. I'm really happy with the choice I made with regards to university I've benefitted lots from the tutors there and being in a new and exciting environment with access to some great equipment and people.

Lydia Brennan BIMM Manchester- Songwriting

I had an audition of two original songs.

Definitely view a few different accommodations before deciding on one, something I didn’t do and lived to regret when I was stuck somewhere not so great for a year! The best freshers experience for me was within the halls so join group chats and facebook pages, explore and meet people! we hosted a quiz in our flat in the first week and invited everyone in a group chat and i met some of my best friends!

The main challenge in first year for me was suddenly having to fully arrange my songs but being able to utilise the range of musicians available at BIMM was really helpful. Also l had to get used to writing on demand which was quite hard to start with; getting a brief and being told to go away for 20 mins then come back and show the class what you came up with.

I liked Performance in Context and Ensemble Performance which are 100% my favourite ones because i love working with a band to develop my songs

I'd say probably 100% happy! It’s been a very hard three years but wouldn't want to do any of it differently.

Layla Hopper BIMM Manchester – Music Journalism

I had an informal interview with the course leader just talking about things such as what interests you about music journalism. To my interview I took an example of my Unit 30 BTEC work I had done which helped me out a lot to get an unconditional offer.

The biggest challenge was probably the jump from college writing style to university writing style, and also how independent everything is. Like lecturers aren’t going to check up to make sure you have done all the reading or started essays, it's on yourself to get everything organized.

We had a choice between PR & Marketing, Making Magazines, and Multimedia production. I chose PR & Marketing and Making Magazines and I am probably enjoying Making magazines the most because its more creative and different to just writing multiple essays.

We do a pitch, a press proposal, and design magazine spreads. We also have a module in second year to do a placement in either writing, radio, or generally something to do with music journalism. It’s really helpful being in a real workplace to see if it's something you would still be interested in doing after uni.

My plan is to continue being a freelance writer and build up my own PR business. I love living in the city so much I can’t imagine myself moving back home to Bishop Auckland so I will definitely be staying. There's so many advantages to living here such as being a 10 minute walk from the university, being close to all the music venues. You’re just so close to everything and it's so convenient.I have become so much more confident and made so many friends.

Matthew Fisher

Futureworks Manchester UCLAN - Sound Recording

I had an interview where I had to show music work that I’d recorded and performed on.

It's important to get yourself known and link up with other like minded people as soon as you can. The more you surround yourself with people of the same interests and ideas, it’s like you’ve never left home. Also enjoy yourself but don’t feel like you need to go out and party every night!

I took Music recording & Production - Mixing for picture and Sound design. I enjoy recording and production the most but the skills I’ve learn in music production have also helped me branch to other areas of sound whereby I’ve been creating soundtracks for films and building the sound design. I’ve also used my songwriting skills to compose score and add this to a piece of cinema. Recording and production allowed me to work with a band in Manchester and take them right through a phase of music production, involving: - band rehearsals - recording - producing the track and altering parts - mixing and editing the track - mastering, delivering and releasing the track

You need to constantly keep networking outside of university at gigs, clubs and studios. Whilst university will teach you great skills, ultimately music is a really competitive field and you need to be ‘on it’ and professional whilst remaining friendly and passionate. Through networking during university, I’ve managed to secure some music work and stay in Salford.

I currently work on a self employed basis: - recording bands and artists in various Manchester studios - live sound engineering I promote gigs occasionally and make money from the sales of this - finally, I still write and perform with my band and receive money through this also. I am set to become a resident at a recording studio and use this as my ‘office’ almost.

The city has lots of what London boasts whilst being a lot cheaper and smaller, which is important when moving from a town like Darlington. I’m really happy living in Manchester and have got to experience a lot of things for the first time: really big artists playing at venues on your door step as well as the mass of different cultures and backgrounds that flood into the city. There’s also hundreds of smaller venues and places to surround yourself with music. I will stay in Manchester after university.

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