Introduction
If you are an aspiring musician, singer, songwriter, promoter, recording engineer, arranger, DJ producer or radio broadcaster, Fareham College’s music department provides courses designed to amplify your prospects for a vibrant career in the music industry.
Following a career in the music industry takes passion, talent and professionalism and Fareham is the perfect place to immerse yourself in all elements of composing, creating, recording and mixing music.
Significant investment in our music department has created fantastic facilities for our music students. Our professional tutors have excellent links with the music industry allowing you to develop your skills through attending workshops, playing at gigs, working with guest professionals and visiting external venues.
Full Time Courses
Our Level 2, 3 and 4 Music programmes enable you to gain the right skills to progress into employment in the industry, or go on to higher education courses at university.
The curriculum includes a range of practical and theoretical musical elements, including the wider aspects of performance and musicianship, studio recording and production and sound engineering. In addition you will develop your personal confidence and the essential interpersonal skills needed to thrive in a musical career.
There is also a strong focus on the commercial aspects of the music and entertainment industries, and you will gain an in-depth understanding of business-related operations including releasing, marketing and distributing music.
Our full time courses provide:
- Outstanding performance and production facilities
- Teaching by practicing music industry specialists
- Workshops with established, experienced industry professionals, both on-site and externally
- Creative freedom to specialise and develop in your chosen field of interest
- Opportunities to form bands, compose and design music and sound for a range of genres and mediums
- A multi-disciplinary approach, giving you the experience to work with other specialisms for the full production experience
Course Facilities
With close connections to the Performing Arts and Media departments, our extensive music facilities provide a contemporary and inspiring environment in which to study, rehearse, compose, mix and perform:
- 4 air-conditioned rehearsal studios, equipped with a Mapex meridian birch drum kit, Paiste pst5 cymbal set, industry-standard live sound rig, DJ decks (vinyl and CD) and an array of music tech equipment for both live and studio applications
- Recording studio equipped with a digital sound desk, speakers amplifiers, channel compressor, a range of microphones, and patch bay with connections to all rehearsal rooms, theatre and media studio
- Mac suite with Pro Tools & Logic software
- Extensive digital recording and editing equipment
- Fully equipped theatre 120 seat professional-standard theatre, with full sound system, lighting, and dedicated technical support
Career Options
Whatever your interest in music, courses in this area prepare you to enter a wide range of different careers in the industry, with roles including:
- Professional Musician, Singer, Songwriter or Composer
- Promoter or Publicist
- Recording Engineer
- Media Producer or Publisher
- DJ
- Music Retailer
- Music Journalist
- Studio Technician
- Audio Engineer
- Music Event Manager
- Music Therapist
- A range of business-related roles for music record labels
Your Campus: Bishopsfield Road
Re-developed in September 2015, Fareham’s BRC campus provides an outstanding learning environment for the 2,000 learners based at the main site. With £16 million of investment, Fareham’s students have access to transforming facilities and the latest technologies and curriculum-based equipment to support some of the best technical and professional teaching in Hampshire.
There are plenty of light, bright and inspirational spaces, both inside and out, where you can relax in between lessons, meet with friends, have a bite to eat or get ahead with some private study. As a student at Fareham College, our creative learning environment will provide an excellent route to your future career, university or further training.
Trips & Visits
Trips are run throughout the year to a range of gigs, shows and productions. Previous visits have included the ‘British Music Experience’ at the O2 in London, ‘Peter Blake & Pop Art’ at the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, ‘Absolute Music’ in Bournemouth and the ‘Portsmouth Music Experience’ in the city’s Guildhall. We also work directly with Southampton Solent University’s music department so you can attend visits, taster sessions and open events.
Events & Competitions
You will have the opportunity to take part in a range of events, competitions and performances at various venues, including the Kings Theatre, Ashcroft Arts Centre, Ferneham Hall, the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea, the ‘1865’ music venue in Southampton and the ‘Jerk Jam’ festival in Segensworth – one of our students even DJ’ed at the Ministry of Sound in London!
Our students often run workshops and performances at local schools and events, including the College’s own Annual Awards Ceremony in front of an audience of over 300.
Higher Education
Our Level 4 Music courses offer an affordable, flexible and skills-based route to achieve a higher-level qualification. Whether you are already in employment within the music industry and want to take your career to the next level, or are progressing from a Level 3 course at college and would like to hone your performance and technology skills further, a HE qualification at Fareham will add outstanding amplification to your career.
