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POPULAR MUSIC PRACTICE
(SESSION MUSICIAN) FOUNDATION DEGREE
 
 

 

'As a music artist who regularly employs session musicians, I wholeheartedly support this course as it gives a fantastic opportunity for aspiring musicians to get the training they need to work in this role.'
Jools Holland

 

Access to Music and the Royal Northern College of Music have joined forces to offer a unique new Foundation Degree in Popular Music Practice (Session Musician): the UK’s only Foundation Degree for would-be session musicians.

The course provides vocational training for high-level musicians and vocalists who intend to work as session/freelance musicians/vocalists in all areas outside of the classical music sector.

 

By doing the Popular Music Practice
(Session Musician) Foundation Degree you will:

  • Study at one of the world's leading music conservatoires.
  • Develop and refine your musical/vocal skills to an advanced level. You will study under one of the following disciplines: guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, keyboard or vocal.
  • Enhance your instrumental/vocal technique and application through intensive weekly 1.5 hour one-on-one instrumental/vocal sessions with a top professional.
  • Gain valuable experience through relevant work-based learning.
  • Understand the requirements of studio and live sessioning.
  • Understand how to contextualise yourself and your music in relation to today's music scene.
  • Learn direct from professional players.
  • Learn how to network and make contacts.
  • Understand how to promote and market yourself.
  • Gain a recognised and relevant qualification.
  • Access progression opportunities onto the Popular Music degree course at Leeds College of Music.

 

‘Back in my younger days there was nothing like this! It was generally assumed that if you were outside of classical music you had to sort it out for yourself. I firmly believe that this stuff can be taught, and that all musicians going into the music business should receive business advice. Therefore I whole-heartedly applaud and welcome the arrival of this course.’
Snake Davis, international saxophonist


Download full details below.

If you require more information on this course either:

For information on being a student at RNCM and student life please contact them via email.

We have an ATM/RNCM HE Prospectus available on request.

 

 
     
 
 
MEET THE STAFF
 
 

 

ANDY STOTT: COURSE DIRECTOR
Andy has worked as a session drummer and percussionist in a wide variety of musical genres, including jazz orchestras, brass bands, symphony orchestras, choirs, musical theatre pit orchestras and rock and pop bands. His performing career developed into working as a freelance Musical Director and in that role he has appeared on the international stage performing with singers and musicians across the UK and in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia and America. In 1998, Andy formed his own production company, Purple Patch Productions, working extensively in the field of musical theatre. Production credits include West Side Story, Les Miserables, Evita, Grease, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, STOMP and The Full Monty. In 2001 Andy was a producer and the musical supervisor for the first UK tour and West End run of the award-winning Broadway musical RENT.

BRYAN HARGREAVES
Bryan is an experienced and highly- skilled professional drummer and educator. He has worked with Heather Small and M People as a regular band member since 2003, touring the world and appearing on both radio and television. He has also worked with Snake Davis (Lisa Stansfield, Take That), Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), Ricky Tomlinson (Actor/ Musician) andMambito (Latin Jazz Orchestra). His television and radio work includes Michael Parkinson Show, Top Of The Pops, GMTV, Songs Of Praise, This Is Your Life and the Jonathon Ross Show.

NEIL YATES
Neil is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger with over 20 years professional experience and with his own record label. He has undertaken session work for the Lighthouse Family, Supergrass, Alison Moyet, Will Young, Brand New Heavies,Us3, Matt Bianco, Marillion, Gregory Isaacs, Black Grape, Ben Folds 5, Robbie Williams with many TV appearances including Top of the Pops, Later with Jools, T.F.I. Friday and White Room.

MAURICIO PAULY
Mauricio is an exceptionally talented bass player who has worked and toured extensively in Central America, the United States and Europe. He is a founding member of the ÁltaVoz Ensemble, a group of Latin-American composers and his music has been performed in Costa Rica, USA, Hungary, Spain, Mexico, Russia and the UK. He has won numerous international prizes for his composition work. As a bass player, singer and songwriter, he has led his band Bruno Porter to release two albums and tour most of Costa Rica and Central America. As a session player he toured Central America with Costa Rica's veteran rockers Café con Leche, recorded two albums and toured with pianist/composer Manuel Obregón, and wrote songs for Costa Rica's biggest act, Gandhi. He also worked as a freelance bass player in Miami. He has taught music at Boston University and at the University of Manchester.

JOHNNY HEYES
Currently working as guitarist for Mica Paris, as the resident band at the Indigo venue in the O2 Arena in London, Johnny is an experienced session guitarist. A graduate of Leeds College of Music, where he was awarded the Eric Kershaw Memorial prize for plectrum guitar, Johnny is also a member of jazz ensemble, Badbone & Co. Led by trombonist Dennis Rollins (of the Maceo Parker band, Jamiroquai and Blur), Badbone & Co. won the 2006 BBC Jazz Award for ‘Best Band’. They have performed at Glastonbury on the Jazz/World Stage and live on Radio 2 from the Jazz Tent. They have also performed at WOMAD, The Toronto IAJE Jazz Conference, and many jazz festivals worldwide.

DANE CHALFIN
Dane Chalfin is one of the UK's leading non-classical voice specialists. His clients include signed artists, TV and film actors (Peter Kay, Coronation Street, Emmerdale), major theatrical productions (Cats, Mamma Mia, Saturday Night Fever etc.) and tours, record labels and management companies, educational establishments and business people. He is one of a select few voice practitioners who officially consult with the NHS to help rehabilitate professional voice-users who have had a voice injury. He provides training for singing teachers and vocal coaches and has written voice programmes for top arts universities. Dane is a director of The British Voice Association and is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Vocal Technique at Leeds College of Music.

AMY McNULTY
Amy is a lecturer at the University of Salford in the School of Media, Music and Performance, specialising in Popular Music and Popular Culture. She lectures in Audiences and Impacts, Contextual Performance, and Media Analysis and specialises in the pedagogy of core skills and study skills. Amy’s research interests include the representation of regional identity in popular culture and she recently chaired a panel at the University’s of Salford conference on local band The Fall. She has also delivered conference papers on social realism and the emergence of new genres of musical comedy in contemporary television.

More tutor profiles to follow soon.

Find out more about the clinicians who performed at our Masterclass and Open Day in August.

 
 
     
 
 
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & AUDITIONS
 
 

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be 18 years of age, or over, on September 1 in the year of entry.

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate a high level of performing ability linked to music theory.

All applicants will normally be expected to possess the following minimum qualifications:

  • GCE A level (A2) in one subject, or a Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification, or a National Diploma in a relevant subject area (Music, Performing Arts etc.);
  • Passes at GCSE level (grades A*-C) in four differente subjects, two of which must be English Language and Mathematics, or acceptable qualification equivalents.

Acceptable qualification equivalents:

  • Two AS (A1) passes will be deemed equivalent to one A level (A2) pass;
  • A pass in a high grade instrumental examination in combination with a pass in grade 5 Music Theory is equivalent in this instance to an A Level (A2) pass.

Applicants with non-standard qualifications are also encouraged to apply. The admissions panel will consider admitting those who do not possess the qualifications listed above, provided applicants are able to demonstrate appropriate ability through their audition and interview.

 

AUDITIONS/INTERVIEWS

Sessions will last about 45 minutes and will take the following format:

  • Introductions from tutors;
  • Recital programme to last between 10-12 minutes demonstrating a variety of techniques through a varied choice of music;
  • Each piece should be introduced with information about the music/composer – entire programme to last 10-12 minutes;
  • Sight-reading test;
  • Musicianship test (including aural tests, theoretical knowledge, technique, etc);
  • Improvisation test;
  • Interview on personal qualities and intentions for progression supported by portfolio of work (including CDs, DVDs, photos, press etc).
 
 
     
 
 
SESSION MUSICIAN TRAINING ACADEMY (SMTA)
 
 

SMTA Logo

The Session Musician Training Academy (SMTA) is based at Blueprint Studios in Manchester and offers a bespoke 10-week course to help you brush up on your instrumental skills in preparation for applying for the Foundation Degree.

Delivered by music professionals, the course offers expert guidance to develop your instrumental and performance skills to the level required to audition for the Foundation Degree.

Running on Saturdays over 10 weeks from September to March, in many ways it is the equivalent for rock and pop musicians as the Junior RNCM.

Find out more >>

 

 
     
 
 
APPLY
 
 

 

You must apply for this course through the Conservatoires Admissions Service UK: CUKAS:
CUKAS Registration & Application
You will needs to enter the following information:

  • Conservatoire Code Name: RNCM
  • Conservatoire Code: R57
  • Course Code: 113F
  • Short Form of Course: FdA/PMPSM

If you have a problem with this site you can also apply using our online application form.

 

 
     
 
 
DOWNLOADS
 
 


Download full course information here (PDF 1.2MB):

Download student success stories here (PDF 3.5MB):

Download ATM wallpaper here (PDF 804KB):

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files. Download it here:

 

 
     
 

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