OUR COURSES:
BA (Hons) Commercial Music
Admissions & demo FAQ
When are the auditions?
If you are successful at the demo stage, we will write to you inviting you to attend an audition. Most auditions for September entry will take place in the preceding February or March, but we will be in touch with you with details a few weeks before the audition date. Email the admissions officer using the form below if you have any queries.
How soon after my audition will I get a decision?
This normally takes between 7 and 14 days; we will write to you with the decision, which will also be available to you electronically by logging in to the UCAS website. Auditions usually take place around Easter.
What if I do not have a formal qualification on my chosen instrument?
This is fine - we simply want you to demonstrate a high standard of musicianship and versatility. As a guide, guitarists, keyboardists and bassists should be able to read any chord sheet and interpret it in a variety of musically appropriate ways; drummers should be able to play in any time signature at a consistent tempo with controlled dynamics; singers should have excellent breathing, tuning and projection, and be able to deliver a song with a high standard of audience communication.
I'm an experienced songwriter but I'm not a particularly experienced player - is the course for me?
Yes. Many applicants consider themselves composers, songwriters or producers rather than purely performers. The panel will review your demo on the basis of the way you describe yourself in your accompanying pro forma - so in your case this would be on the quality of your songs.
What will I study on the course?
The course has three elements - creative, production and industrial. These elements are further subdivided into 12 modules (e.g. National Tour, Understanding Popular Music or Anatomy of the Music Industry). There are 6 modules per academic year.
Can I work on my own songs as part of the course?
Yes! You are encouraged to play original material throughout your time as a CM student. Cover versions are rarely submitted as assessed items.
Can I get accommodation on campus?
Contact our accommodation office for more information.
Do I need to be able to read music to apply for the course?
No. The course does not rely on, require, or have any compulsory involvement in treble-clef or bass-clef notation reading. The reason for this is that the popular music industry (excepting pit orchestras, jazz bands and some types of session) does not generally use it. Instead, we expect to see excellent chord/scale/arpeggio literacy from guitarists and bass players, and a high level of aural skills and improvisation. In the case of vocalists we are looking for a variety of complex factors including versatility, power/breathing and emotional communication skills. However, if you wish to develop sight reading skills with your tutor in year 1 you will have an option to do so.
Demo FAQ
Do you want cover versions or original material?
Generally, the panel prefers original material to cover versions, but if you don't write music feel free to send us well-performed examples of existing songs. No 'classical' music please, but you can choose as wide a definition of 'Popular Music' as you like (dance, metal, acoustic, R&B, rock, blues, jazz, folk etc).
Can I submit a MD or cassette demo?
For technical reasons, we can ONLY accept demos on CD, not MiniDisc or cassette. Please label all parts of your CD with your name and contact info. A clear track listing is also very helpful.
What are the demos used for?
The only function of the demo is to help the panel to ascertain whether you will be invited for interview.
What factors are the panel listening for?
The panel are looking for applicants who can demonstrate either a high level of specialism in a certain area (performance, songwriting, production, arranging) or a good balance of several of these skills.
I've submitted my demo. How soon will I hear whether I've been invited for audition?
This part of the process can take a while - up to 8 weeks - because the panel has an enormous amount of demos to evaluate. Please bear with us.
What kind of music can I submit?
Anything - instrumental, song-based, electronic... whatever you feel is your main area of music. The only thing we ask is that applicants who write original songs or compose instrumental music should submit some examples of this.
