BA (HONS) MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND INDUSTRY

Programme Details

The BA Music Performance and Industry considers popular music from two perspectives: music for the people, with its dazzling array of genres and sub-genres; and secondly, music of the people, such as traditional music, folk song and global roots music. Students on the programme are not bound by genre and we celebrate musical difference as a strength. The programme recognises that technology and advancements in music production blur the boundaries of genre.

This programme embraces creativity, excellence and originality. We offer an industry facing programme where you will gain core music skills, collaboration techniques and crucial industry and business knowledge.

Each year you’ll undertake four core modules:

Performance and Production

This module will develop your performance skills. This will consist of band projects covering repertoire and original music making. You’ll also learn about stagecraft, studio and digital music production and learn from external professionals in our industry masterclasses. You’ll also receive one-to-one tuition.

Industry Insights

You’ll learn about the role of music in society and the changing landscape of the music industry, enabling you to make the most from your music. Topics range from the business side – such as copyright, publishing, licensing and identifying your audience – to broader discussions on how your music fits in the cultural, societal, commercial and political landscape.

Craft and Creativity

You’ll develop your musicianship through practical group classes in rhythm, harmony, arranging, aural and listening skills.  You will apply what you have learned in the song-writing modules and will develop your skills in lyric writing, song construction and musical direction.

Collaborations

This module includes participation in CoLab, our festival of collaborative learning. Students, staff and external mentors from across the Faculties take a break from their studies and work together on new, experimental projects. Additionally, you’ll work alongside BMus students in the Artist as Citizen, the Artist as Educator, Professional Placement and have the option to take a BMus elective.

For further details see the Programme Specification.

Audition requirements

Auditions must be uploaded online and applicants subsequently invited for interview may attend either online or in-person at the Music Faculty. There are no live auditions.

If you are invited for interview and cannot attend in-person, please do not worry. You will have plenty of opportunities to visit Trinity Laban at Open Days and other events throughout the year.

There are two audition sessions for this programme, however applicants may apply to one audition session only. The reason we have two audition sessions is to encourage and facilitate applications from overseas.

If you wish to apply in the winter audition period and receive a result before Christmas, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires by the 2nd of October 2023 and submit your recorded audition to our Embark platform by the 6th of November 2023.

If you wish to apply in the spring audition period, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires by the 31st of January 2024 and submit your recorded audition to our Embark platform by the 12th of February 2024.

If you are also applying for other Music programmes at Trinity Laban, please visit our Key Dates page to see how the BAMPI application timeline runs alongside other Music Faculty application deadlines.

There are three stages to the application process:

1. Apply via UCAS Conservatoires.

2. Upload three videos to our Embark platform

1. Something new – a video of you performing a piece of original music (3 minutes)
2. An existing work – a video of you performing a piece of music written by somebody else (3-minutes)
3. A video introduction of you speaking (2-3 minutes)

3. Interview (online or in-person)

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for a 25-minute interview. The interview will be an opportunity for you to discuss the course with the programme team. We will ask you about your interests, aspirations and areas of your creative practice you would like to develop. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the programme.

As part of the interview, there will be a short musicianship assessment designed to establish your understanding of musical language. This assessment will encompass elements of rhythm, harmony and listening skills and might include interval and chord recognition, rhythmic exercises and a discussion in response to a piece of music.

Producers – as part of the interview we will discuss your creative and technical processes.

Following the interview process, there are three outcomes:

• Offer of a place
• Offer of a reserve place
• No offer

Online Submission details

Winter Submission Deadline: 6th November 2023

Spring Submission Deadline: 12th February 2024

Please upload your three recordings here.

Further Audition Guidance

Format for video submissions

1. The three videos should be uploaded as individual files in the following formats: mp4, .mov, .wmv.
2. Please keep your tracks to three minutes in length.
3. We are not looking for a professionally produced video. However, please refer to our audiovisual guide to show yourself in the best light.

Content advice

We recommend that you present two contrasting pieces for the video audition submission. You should show us your best technique, creative flair and originality. If one piece has complex harmony and is very technical, the other work might be simple but have a clear message or a fantastic groove.

On the programme, we celebrate all types of popular music and welcome musicians who play everything from Hip Hop to Soul, Folk, singer-songwriter and the most contemporary styles. We value versatility and open-mindedness.

You can provide links to supplementary materials (live performance, other releases, social media) in the personal statement of your main UCAS Conservatoires application and refer to them in the spoken video.

What do we mean by ‘something new’?

We would like to hear an original work that you have created. This could be a song or an instrumental piece you have written. You can perform this work solo or with others or use a backing track. Please note that we are not looking for professionally produced video content – we are interested in seeing you do your thing.

What do we mean by ‘an existing work’?

We would like to hear you perform a work that has inspired or influenced you in some way. This can be anything in any genre, and we encourage you to choose a work that best demonstrates your creative abilities. You may perform this work solo, with others or with a backing track.

Advice for specific disciplines:

Singer-Songwriters – Your original song allows us to see your writing technique and creative potential. What are you trying to say in your piece? Make sure you practice your accompaniment and make sure that it enhances your singing performance.

Vocals – We love hearing dynamic and expressive voices. Make sure that one piece shows off your vocal range both in terms of pitch and dynamic. Make sure you are singing in tune. You can sing to a backing track on one of the submissions.

Guitar – You might decide to play music from two different styles. You could potentially play on two different guitars or make use of multi-tracking, looping and effects. One piece may be harmonically sophisticated while the other, a simple blues executed with a great time, feel, sound and expression. You can submit work of playing with others or with a backing track.

Keyboards – Across the two pieces you need to show your ability to improvise, your harmonic knowledge and keyboard technique. You can choose to accompany a song or play a piece of music with a backing track.

Bass – Provide contrasting pieces showing your technique and ability to groove and develop a groove. At least one of the pieces has to be with either another musician or with a backing track.

Drummers – Provide contrasting pieces showing your technique and ability to groove and develop a groove. Make sure that your two pieces are contrasting in style.

Other instruments – We welcome applications from any instrument. Make sure that you play works that are relevant to popular music. A piece can be folk, popular music, music from a non-western culture or jazz. In the past, we have had applications from Harp, sax, cello, violin and flutes. All instruments have their place in the world of popular music.

Producers – Producers have an integral place on the programme. Submit two contrasting tracks of music that you have produced. You are encouraged to support the tracks with a screen capture of the DAW so we can understand your creative process. You can also provide links to other work that you have made. Make sure that the two tracks are contrasting, and for example, you might feature other musicians in one track while the second is entirely recorded by yourself. You can tell us about this in a further written document.

Multi-instrumentalists – If you play many instruments, please submit your two videos on different instruments. You can also include links to other tracks in your UCAS application.

Spoken introduction – Let us know your name and your discipline, and the music that you are into. Tell us your musical story and what makes you tick. We are interested in your ability to collaborate and your creative vision. What are your career aims, and what are you looking to get from the BA in Music Performance and Industry? There is no right and wrong for this but show us yourself in your best light an. Refer to the criteria below and see if your vision aligns with what we are looking for. The BA in Music Performance and Industry is taught in English, so your speech should be in English.

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from musicians of any genre and on any instrument or voice. We are looking for students who show talent and originality in performance and production with the ability to apply technique, display potential and a desire to learn.

We welcome applications from those who have not experienced the traditional route into higher education but display exceptional fluency and flair in creative music performance or production.

Applicants are normally expected to have ONE of the following options below:

• Two A-level passes (of which one should normally be Music) or equivalent qualifications

• BTEC Extended Diploma at levels MMM or BTEC Level 3 Diploma at D*D*

• Relevant prior experience may also be considered

English language Requirements:

IELTS (General or Academic Training) minimum 5.5 in all four areas or Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English level II or above. Information can be found on our website.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK you may require a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Learning and Teaching

How will I learn?

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on you as the individual, our focus is on your experiences and your self-reflection. You’ll learn through a blend of one-to-one and small group tuition, masterclasses and through meeting external mentors from the industry.

Collaboration is a key part of the Trinity Laban experience; we believe it is at the heart of professional artistic life. Throughout the programme you will work with other students from different programmes and disciplines, whether that’s working side by side or by taking a leadership role.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments range from performances, written essays, reports, recorded submissions, podcasts and presentations.

Hours

Total contact hours: 568.5 hours
Total self-directed study hours: 3081.5 hours
Total learning and teaching hours: 3650 hours

This programme assumes 3650 learning and teaching hours. Contact time is defined as tuition which is delivered by a tutor. It includes performances, individual tuition, larger group tuition, seminars, departmental & academic classes, directed rehearsals, masterclasses and supervised study. Contact and self-study time are itemised in module descriptions.

Fees and Finance

Undergraduate Fees

Fees are reviewed annually. Home student tuition fees are aligned with the maximum tuition fee cap set by the UK Government.  International tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

Accommodation and Living Costs

This information can be found on our accommodation and costs of living pages.

Financial Support

Read about financial awards and external funding opportunities in the fees and finance section.

After you graduate

Eyes on the Future

Right from the start of your studies, you’ll be connecting with the industry, acquiring the skills needed to thrive in your art form and developing professional work experience. Our aim is that you graduate with the skills and mindset to form a meaningful career in a wide variety of roles.

What does a prospective student need to understand about the industry? How does the music of the past influence the music of today? …and what does the future look like for music graduates? Leading industry professionals, Moses Boyd, Sahra Gure, Kevin Le Gendre and Eric Karsenty sat down with Tessa Gillett to discuss their perspectives on the industry landscape of today. Watch the video above.

BA Music Performance and Industry Programme Leader, Joe Townsend, sat down with two industry leaders, songwriter-producer Oli Rockberger and singer-songwriter Tara, to discuss their inspiration, process, challenges and insights into songwriting professionally.

Listen to some changemaker music handpicked by the team. This playlist is packed with songs that are genre defining, spark change & challenge expectations.

Frequently asked questions