This BMus (Hons) programme is validated by UEL and taught by The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.

ICMP was the first to offer education for popular musicians in the UK andhas been offering innovative full and part-time programmes (as well as private tuition) to students of popular music for over 20 years.

ICMPhas always been at the forefront of these educational possibilities, ensuring that, for the first time, career-minded players were able to study on a full-time basis specialising in guitar, drums, vocals and bass performance and be awarded a University qualification.

Being located in London enables you to learn from, and interact with, a staff of leading educators and professional musicians. There is a wide variety of musical activities with which to engage and opportunities to work in professional settings, and the programme is responsive to the demands of today’s ever-changing music industry.

This three year BMus programme is delivered primarily through practice and performance based modules, which constitute approximately 75% of the activities.

All students follow a core programme in the first two years, including modules which focus on establishing a common music skills base in performance, theory and practice, technology, stylistic awareness, collaboration, popular music history and songwriting.

In the second year, students continue with skills development in performance and production, alongside a module which examines the business and economic aspects of the music industry and its component parts, including standard practice and an arranging and composing module which provides an opportunity to explore writing for commercial scenarios.

Year 3 provides the opportunity to study practical music skills to an advanced level, including individual and ensemble performance, and simulated ‘real world’ environments and situations.

All students will complete a level 3 dissertation.

Project options within the third year of the programme offer numerous opportunities for the construction of individual learning routes so that students can develop more specialist skills in their chosen area of music study (e.g. production project, event management). There is also a unique opportunity to also engage in the practical and theoretical study of teaching via the Licentiate option in year 3.

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance operates out of a purpose built facility in North West London, the layout of which was designed to be physically accessible, fully conducive to the learning experience, and comprises of the following:

• Live performance studios; each air conditioned, sound proofed studio is fully equipped with professional standard PA, audio playback, a range of professional standard instrument backline, and drum kit.  The largest performance studio can accommodate up to seventy students.
• Specialist teaching rooms; each air conditioned room is fully equipped with professional standard PA, audio playback, and professional standard instrument backline. Some rooms have electronic drum kits (Roland V-drums) for student use – although all classes for drummers are on acoustic kits.
• iMac Technology Suite; air conditioned. Each iMac work station is fully equipped with the latest software and hardware from M-Audio, Logic Audio, Apple, Line 6, Roland, Sibelius, including professional standard keyboard. There are also two Roland V-drum kits for laying down drum tracks via Midi.
• Recording studio - Linked via Roland’s Digital Snake to a live performance room, the studio is based around a Yamaha digital desk and G5 running Logic. It can record 16 channels at broadcast quality and outboard includes Lexicon, TL Audio, Line-6, Roland and Akai, and mics by Shure.
• Lecture Room - This room is equipped with ICT and is used to deliver lecture and seminar classes as well as video and film presentations.
• Resource Centre - The Learning Resource Centre (also known as the LRC or library) is stocked with all of the key programme texts for students to use on a reference basis, and features computer stations where students can research and work in a quiet and relaxed environment. Students may also either of the Tech suites, both of which are equipped with internet enabled iMac workstations.
• Keyboard Suite - comprising twelve individual high spec Roland keyboard stations.
• Drum practice booths; each air-conditioned custom designed booth is fully equipped with a professional acoustic drum kit, drum machine, audio playback, and headphone mixer system.
• Student Area; furnished with a mixture of sofas, chairs and tables an area where students can relax in their lunch breaks, read the latest music press or jam and network with fellow classmates.

All of the above facilities are available outside to timetabled hours for practice free of charge to Institute students.

Instruments - We hold a wide range of guitars, basses, mics and percussion (both large and small), that is available for use in performances. For the study of percussion the school has a wide range of large and small instruments (from Congas to triangles) available for use.

ICMP has a long-standing policy of inviting industry professionals to address the student body via master classes and lectures. This provides a unique opportunity for students to learn from external specialists - performers, producers, music business experts, educators, entertainment agencies, Musicians’ Union advisors, Musical Directors, Conductors etc.
Students will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, small tutorial groups, performance workshops, hands-on technology laboratory tutorials, group work, student-led classes/presentations, independent learning and self-directed study.

The Institute understands the commitment that students are making to their future, and we are equally committed to creating the best environment and conditions for them to undertake their studies. We work in close partnership with some of the greatest names in the music industry to provide our students with access to the widest range of professional equipment.
Industry Partners. If you want to be a professional you need to play on professional equipment! We are proud that many of the world greatest manufacturers choose to support our students in their education, including;

Mapex, Yamaha, Ampeg, Gibson, Peavey, Musicman, Ernie Ball, Paiste, Vic Firth, Shure, Roland, Hughes & Ketner, DW, Peerless Guitars, Zildjian, Line 6, Remo, Crate, DWP, Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Trace Elliot, Apple, Sabian, M Audio, Sibelius, Shure.

As a performance-based programme, the emphasis will be on practical assessment (including performance), constituting approximately 60% of the assessment activity.

Music Practice will be assessed twice per semester, via practical assessment (Techniques, Reading, Styles, Keyboards) or written work (Aural and Transcribing, Harmony and Theory).

Music Performance will be assessed via continuous assessment. There will also be an end of year recital. (History and origins will be assessed via portfolio, typically including written submission, presentation and independent research.)

Music Production will be assessed via practical assignment. (Business will be assessed via portfolio typically including written submission, presentation and independent research.)

Being located in London enables students to learn from a staff of leading educators and top professional musicians, who have developed performance-led curriculum in line with the demands of today’s ever changing music industry, and to interact and network with professional musicians throughout the programme. There are a wide variety of musical activities in which to engage, and opportunities to work in professional settings. There are also numerous informal opportunities for students to work with professional musicians throughout the programme.

Students will have the opportunity, throughout the programme, to submit assignments of their own songwriting, arranging, production, and composing work.

Students will also have the opportunity to study a style/period/artist for presentation.

Performance is continually assessed.

Students will have the opportunity to engage themselves in an independent and self-directed research project as part of the dissertation module.

Project options will provide the opportunity to compose/produce/compile a portfolio of original compositions for stage or studio (Production Project), assume responsibility for planning, organising and managing a music event (Event Management), gain a music teaching qualification (Licentiate).

There are a wide variety of musical activities in which to engage, and opportunities to work in professional settings. There are also numerous informal opportunities for students to work with professional musicians throughout the programme.

Students will have the opportunity, throughout the programme, to submit assignments of their own songwriting, arranging, production, and composing work, and the opportunity to study a style/period/artist for presentation. They will further be able to engage themselves in an independent and self-directed research project as part of the dissertation module.

The Institute benefits from close working relationships with not only equipment manufacturers but also musical directors, supervisors and music business specialists.

One of the most exciting parts of the student experience at the Institute is the regularly scheduled programme of masterclasses, demonstrations, seminars and clinics. The Institute has a long-standing policy of inviting industry professionals to address the student body through these events, providing a unique opportunity for students to learn from external specialists - performers, producers, music business experts, educators, entertainment agencies, Musicians’ Union advisors, Musical Directors, Conductors etc.

• Popular Music Performance, including the study of the music industry, music technology, music business, event management, music production, music teaching / education
• Making music and performing, both as an individual and as part of an ensemble
• Working with music technology, songwriting, arranging and composing music, recording original material and teaching music
• Developing and extremely high standard of musicianship and the ability to apply specialist music skills, to collaborate effectively as a member of an ensemble/band, to develop an advanced level of creativity and expression in composition or performance, and
• Developing an appreciation of the commercial nature of the popular music industry. 

As well as producing an extremely high standard of musicianship, the programme will also provide students with the opportunity to develop other relevant skills that will enable them to work in numerous professional areas such as composition, programming, arranging and teaching. Students will also have a sound knowledge of the current business practices that operate within the industry.

Successful graduates would be expected to sustain career progression within the industry and adjunctive disciplines. Typically, these would include employment as a;

• Studio/session artist
• Performing artist
• Theatre musician
• Commercial arranger / composer (song, film, TV, radio, jingles etc)
• Teacher
• Postgraduate student
• Publishing and journalism
• Music business management

Students are fully supported throughout their programme by professional and experienced personnel from both the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and the University of East London. Institute personnel provide day to day advice on a wide range of practical matters, including accommodation, learning resources, library access, career development and general well being. Students, in addition, have access to the extensive support services provided by the University, including advice regarding accommodation, student finance, career development, study skills development, library and learning resources, general counselling and immigration advice, sports and fitness, disability, dyslexia and chaplaincy.

All students are allocated a personal tutor throughout the programme.

A wide variety of professional musicians are involved in the delivery of the programme. Students learn from an experienced and committed faculty of leading educators and top professional musicians who have developed performance-led curriculum in line with the demands of today’s ever changing music industry. This ensures that students are able to interact and network with professional musicians and experienced industry practitioners throughout the programme. Importantly, there are a wide variety of musical activities in which to engage, including showcase events and public performance opportunities, and opportunities to work in professional settings.

There are a wide variety of musical activities in which to engage, and opportunities to work in professional settings. There are also numerous informal opportunities for students to work with professional musicians throughout the programme.

Students will have the opportunity, throughout the programme, to submit assignments of their own songwriting, arranging, production, and composing work, and the opportunity to study a style/period/artist for presentation. They will further be able to engage themselves in an independent and self-directed research project as part of the dissertation module.

The Institute benefits from close working relationships with not only equipment manufacturers but also musical directors, supervisors and music business specialists.

One of the most exciting parts of the student experience at the Institute is the regularly scheduled programme of masterclasses, demonstrations, seminars and clinics. The Institute has a long-standing policy of inviting industry professionals to address the student body through these events, providing a unique opportunity for students to learn from external specialists - performers, producers, music business experts, educators, entertainment agencies, Musicians’ Union advisors, Musical Directors, Conductors etc.