Undergraduate study

• Teaching in a diversity of musics from creative, performance, interpretive, historical and cultural perspectives
• Breadth and depth of coverage: staff specialities include classical music, jazz, rock & pop, film & TV scoring, and world music, and approaches including music analysis, history, cultural studies, composition, song writing and performance
• Flexible Dual and Single Honours degrees with pathways in performance, musicology and composition, or combinations thereof; Single Honours students may also pursue a pathway in Music Technology; Dual Honours students can combine Music with Music Technology, or with subjects as diverse as Psychology, English, Educational Studies, History, Law, Economics, and Media, Communications and Culture
• Innovative and effective teaching methods, which prepare our graduates for careers throughout the music industry, in education at all levels, within a broad range of other professions, and for postgraduate study in Music
• Study abroad and scholarship opportunities
• Facilities include seven designated electronic studios, performance spaces, lecture and seminar rooms, a dedicated Music Library within the main university library, extensive collections of books, scores, CDs and DVDs, and purpose-built practice rooms
• 24/7 access to practice and electronic studio facilities
• The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise rated 82% if research undertaken in Music and Music Technology at Keele as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent', the highest rating of any research group at Keele University
• Music and Music Technology at Keele are rated in the 'Top Ten' for overall students' satisfaction by the 2011 Guardian and Times University Guides

Music at Keele is situated in the early 19th-century Clock House (a listed building in a scenic part of the campus) and the modern Lindsay Studios complex.

Its Dual and Single Honours Music courses provide advanced musical training while stimulating critical and creative thinking, teaching key study skills, and developing students' abilities to work independently and as part of a team.

Recent External Examiner's reports have praised an 'attractive and distinctive research-led programme that not only nurtures critical and creative thinking but also furnishes its students with a range of skills that are both pertinent to the discipline and valuable in the wider professional arena', that 'staff are enthusiastic and actively engaged with the content, delivery and refinement of the course', and that Music's 'courses are well-designed and delivered and offer excellent breadth and depth'.

The rigorously planned modular basis of the courses allows great flexibility in choice of topic alongside opportunities for specialisation. Students can pursue their own particular interests through pathways in performance, musicology and composition; on the Single Honours degree, they can also follow a pathway in Music Technology by taking modules on Music’s sibling programme. Other examples of pathways include a 'rock and pop' pathway proceeding from year 1 to year 3 (Popular Music, Lyrics and the Popular Song, Songwriting, with linked sibling modules including Sound Recording and Indian Music) and the music analysis pathway (Active Listening, Theory and Analysis, Analysing Musical Narratives).

There is a strong performing tradition at Keele. Active participation is expected of most students in performing groups such as the Keele Philharmonic Orchestra, Keele Philharmonic Choir, Keele Bach Choir and Keele Concert Band. Many other performance opportunities also exist with student-directed ensembles ranging from recorder groups to rock bands.

Music runs a programme of recitals and research seminars with visiting speakers and performers, and there are regular opportunities for student participation in workshops and concerts. Keele Concerts Society runs an additional professional concert series and students are eligible for concessions at these events, which feature an international array of critically acclaimed performers. In addition, there is an increasing range of events and concerts in the local area, with Glyndebourne Touring Opera, for instance, being a regular visitor to the Regent Theatre. The major concert halls in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are also within easy reach, and Music runs regular trips to concerts and musical events in the surrounding area. Folk Club and the Union, and other venues in the local area, offer open mic nights and gigging opportunities.

For information about the revised range of entry routes to Music, including the non-performance pathway and entrance for students with non-traditional musical backgrounds see entry requirements

Instrumental lessons

Instrumental or singing lessons are available to all students during the first year at the rate of 12 hours of tuition per year (unless they have opted for the non-performance pathway), while all students taking recital electives receive lessons in subsequent years. Currently, students taking Solo Performance in the second year receive 12 hours of lessons and 24 hours of small group work, and finalists taking a double recital receive 14 hours of lessons in addition to a very significant amount of additional small group teaching and coaching throughout the academic year.

In the vast majority of cases, lessons are given at Keele by visiting instrumental and vocal teachers. 

Scholarships

The following scholarships are open to competition:

• Digital Village Music and Music Technology Scholarships. Four scholarships for students providing technical and ambassadorial support during Music and Music Technology Open/Visit Days
• Chapel Music scholarships, for an organist or musical director
• St John's Keele Choral Scholarship for a conductor
• Montford scholarship, for an instrumentalist or vocalist
• Orchestral Leader scholarship, offered by the Keele Philharmonic Society
• Audely and District Male Voice Choir scholarship, for first and second year singers (male or female)
• Clough Hall Technology School instrumental tuition fellowships

Further details can be obtained from the Music undergraduate administrator.

Please note that modules may vary from year to year.

First year 
You will take core modules and optional electives designed to equip you with core knowledge and expertise in a broad range of music while developing your analytical, practical, theoretical and scholarly skills.

Core modules
20th-century Musics examines key moments in a plurality of musics since 1900 including concert music, jazz, rock and film music, and introducing music by a diversity of important living musicians.

Active Listening, a theory and analysis module designed to promote active listening and to develop your knowledge of musical forms

Sonic Arts Repertoire introduces electroacoustic music and sonic arts from the earliest experiments through to installations;

Composing with Sound introduces creative work in the studio.

Electives
Unless you opt for the non-performance route from the first year, you will be expected to take the elective Instrumental Lessons, a module in performance relating to vocal or instrumental tuition. An optional module is also available in Ensemble Performance (including opportunities in conducting). Students can also get further credits through elective modules reflecting participation in the orchestra, concert band and choir.

Additional optional modules currently include:

Popular Music examines music in the rock and roll tradition from a variety of musical and sociological perspectives.

Introduction to Composition develops your creative and technical skills in composition by introducing you to techniques from recent music.

Introduction to Music Theory, a theory primer for students from non-traditional backgrounds.

Understanding Culture, an introduction to cultural theory.

Sound Recording develops skills in studio recording and music studio production.

Analog and Digital Audio, an exploration of the theoretical basis of acoustics, electroacoustics and digital audio.

Surround Sound explores the theory, practice and aesthetics of multi-channel surround sound applications.

Second year
You begin to weight your studies towards your key interests. You can choose from a range of optional modules:

Solo Performance develops confidence through regular class performances, hones your critical awareness and culminates in a 20-minute recital. It includes opportunities in accompanying, conducting and chamber music performance.

Chamber Music investigates through performance and critical listening ensemble music from the Western art music repertoire.

Composition Studies: Intermediate Composition provides a forum for the discussion and development of various aspects of your musical language.

Composition Studies: Contemporary Orchestration focuses on orchestration practice and techniques through detailed study of scores and recordings.

Creative musicians with an interest in popular music may also be interested in the Lyrics and Song Writing module.

Musicological second year electives currently include:

Music in German Culture examines the special place of Austro-German music across a range of media including concert music, opera, film and the musical.

Music in the Community, a module in which students work with groups in the local area on creative and performance projects.

Stravinsky, an in-depth study of the music, writings and cultural contexts of one of the 20th century’s most important and fascinating artists.

Theory and Analysis, an introduction to tonal and post-tonal music theory.

Unheard Melodies? Music in the Narrative Film explores the narrative and ideological roles of music in cinema.

Indian Music explores the diversity of musics associated with one of the world’s most musical countries and its cultural communities.

For students wishing to continue a pathway in Music Technology, optional modules include Creative Sound Design, Computer Video, and Interactive Realtime Composition.

Third year 
You will be able to specialise in performance, composition or musicology; you may also continue a pathway in Music Technology. Modules are chosen reflecting your preferred pathway and musical focus.

Recital develops and refines your technical skills in preparation for a 40-minute public recital; intensive coaching in class and individual tuition occur alongside opportunities for recording and a study of the role of programme notes and programme construction.

Composition 2 leads to the completion of four contrasting works or two substantial works, and develops your individual potential in original musical composition.

Songwriting develops song and lyric writing skills developed in earlier modules and leads to the completion of a contrasting portfolio of original songs in the rock and pop tradition.

The final-year musicology electives currently include:

Independent Dissertation study, in which students pursue an in-depth piece of work on a musical topic of their own devising (recent topics have included the scores to movie remakes, Elgar, Britpop and the future of the orchestra).

Research in Music Psychology, examining debates in the field of music psychology through a practical, hands-on, research-based approach.

Narrative, Music and Meaning and Analysing Musical Narratives, theory and analysis modules examining music's ability to tell stories through sound concerning its creators, socio-cultural contexts and listeners.

Paris 1889-1939, a study of musical aesthetics and cultural history in a specific time and place.

Contextual Studies examines music’s social and cultural functions, plus recent developments at the forefront of musicology.

Students continuing a Music Technology pathway into their final year can take electives including Colloquia in Electronic Music, a module consisting of a series of seminars for discussion of general issues relating to music technology, such as gender, commercial success of particular genres, socio-political issues, technology and creativity. Other electives include Colloquia in Electroacoustic Music and Digital Arts Creative Portfolio.

Course content: Dual Honours

Please note that modules may vary from year to year.

For descriptions of these modules, please see above.

First year
During the first year, you will take core modules and optional modules designed to equip you with core knowledge and expertise in a broad range of 20th-century music, developing your analytical, practical, theoretical and scholarly skills.

Core modules 
20th-Century Musics

Active Listening

Electives
Unless you opt for the non-performance route from the first year, you will be expected to take the option Instrumental Lessons, a module in performance relating to vocal or instrumental tuition.

An additional optional module is also available in Ensemble Performance (including opportunities in conducting). Students can also get further credits through elective modules reflecting their participation in the orchestra, concert band and choir.

Other optional modules currently include:

Popular Music

Introduction to Composition

Introduction to Music Theory

Second year
You begin to weight your studies towards your key interests. You can choose from a range of optional modules.

Solo Performance

Chamber Music

Composition Studies: Intermediate Composition

Composition Studies: Contemporary Orchestration

Creative musicians with an interest in popular music may also be interested in the Lyrics and Song Writing module.

Musicological second year electives currently include:

Music in German Culture

Music in the Community

Stravinsky

Theory and Analysis

Unheard Melodies? Music in the Narrative Film

Indian Music

Third year
You will be able to specialise in performance, composition, musicology. Modules are chosen reflecting your preferred pathway and musical focus.

Recital

Composition 2

Songwriting

The final year musicology electives currently include:

Independent Dissertation Study

Research in Music Psychology

Narrative, Music and Meaning and Analysing Musical Narratives

Paris 1889-1939

Contextual Studies

Study Abroad

All Music students have the option of spending a semester in their second year at one of our partner universities in North America, South African or Australia.

For further information regarding the courses, please contact the Music Administrator. Further information for potential students is also available from our website.
Music Administrator
Tel: 01782 733295
Email: music@mus.keele.ac.uk
Website: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/mu

Dual Honours Course can be combined with:

Single Honours and Foundation courses available:

Teaching in Music at Keele is innovative and diverse. From the first year students will be taught in a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Students will participate in group discussions (including blogs and discussion threads in the online learning environment Blackboard), individual and group presentations, and submit coursework ranging from weekly assignments to substantial dissertations on topics of the students' own choosing.

Modules are usually assessed by essays, portfolios of written work, and projects. Exceptions include modules assessed solely by performance, online tests, compositional portfolios, dissertation, and an examination in the third year.

Programme specifications (new window)

In addition to enhancing specific musical skills, a degree in Music develops a wide range of transferable skills in, for instance, presentation, writing, critical thinking and organisation, while offering invaluable experience in team work. All our graduates share a broad range of interests and abilities attractive to employers. Keele Music students have found careers in arts administration, the BBC (as researchers and studio engineers), orchestras, recording companies, publishing, game design, film and television, and the regional authorities. Other career options include teaching, music therapy, librarianship and further research. Some students, of course, choose to pursue careers outside music, and Music graduates are highly prized for their unique transferable skill set by professions including accountancy, law, computer programming, actuarial work and journalism.

A Dual Honours degree in Music and Music Technology, or a Single Honours degree in Music including a pathway in Music Technology, opens up a vast range of career possibilities. Students taking Music Technology in combination with Music at Keele obtain unique and wide-ranging musical and technical expertise, thereby increasing their employability and options in areas such as sound design, software design, and recording studio work. In addition, they acquire the necessary skills for work as freelance sound designers for applications such as games and video, TV and film. Performers, composers and music scholars also benefit greatly from developing their hands-on experience of technologies ranging from grand pianos to mixing desks.

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

For details contact the Music Admissions Officer.

• Music received very good results in the latest NSS with overall student satisfaction of 4.4, which is significantly higher than the sector wide of 3.9 points.
• In the most recent research assessment exercise, Music and Music Technology at Keele were the highest rated research group in the entire University.
• Three staff members have been awarded a prestigious Arts and Humanities research Council Fellowships in 2010-2011.