Newcastle College's music department specialises in performance and production courses, whether you want to focus on a career as a performer, DJ, producer or sound engineer. All of our courses are based in the Performance Academy, a world-class training facility based in the heart of Newcastle. It offers a huge choice of performance spaces, from recording studios and rehearsal rooms to our 200-seat Peter Sarah Theatre and gig space The Venue, which hosts large-scale performances every year.
We deliver a range of courses for all abilities including undergraduate degrees and full-time courses for 16-18 year olds. We have extensive connections to the music industry and deliver advanced masterclasses and work experience for our students. Guest speakers have included Patrick Topping, John Waugh of The 1975, Nick McBrain of Iron Maiden and Alex Hutchings and Barry Hyde of The Futureheads. We have been home to some of the finest talent in UK music, with recent graduates including Sam Fender's band Drew Michael, Tom Ungerger and Dean Thompson, The Pale White's Jack Hope and Adam Hope and sound engineer of James Bay and Rag 'n' Bone Man Rob Sadler.
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Take a closer look at our courses
Music at Newcastle College
What can I do with a qualification in Music?
Daily tasks:
- Auditions and selects performers and rehearses and conducts them in the performance of the composition.
- Scores music for different combinations of voices and instruments to produce desired effect.
- Plays instrument as a soloist or as a member of a group or orchestra.
- Tunes instrument and studies and rehearses score.
- Conceives and writes original music.
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What can I do with a qualification in Music?
Musicians
Daily tasks:
- Auditions and selects performers and rehearses and conducts them in the performance of the composition.
- Scores music for different combinations of voices and instruments to produce desired effect.
- Plays instrument as a soloist or as a member of a group or orchestra.
- Tunes instrument and studies and rehearses score.
- Conceives and writes original music.
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Meet our alumni, students and tutors
Dan Lumb
Lecturer - Music"Music is one of the few subject areas which can go from being ridiculously technical, so for example the inner workings of a compressor, learning jazz theory from the 20th century, to being the most emotive and connective expression of the human experience, creating whole subcultures based around specific genres. Being able to see students go from the very beginnings of their musical career to writing and producing complex music at industry standard, then releasing and distributing that music successfully is definitely what I love most about my job."
Jonny Burgess
Programme Lead - Music"My favourite modules to teach are studio-based. My area of expertise is working with musicians in recording studios and helping them to develop their material. It's great to hear students come in with raw ideas and then see them develop over time."
Vick Bain
Alumnus - Music HND | Creator of the F-List"Making a career in music is not just about how skilful you are, that is a given, it is also about who you know. Developing a great network around you at this stage will be of huge benefit in the years to come. With other students you meet now, you may form bands together, you may start a music business together, you may collaborate, connect or encourage in some other way but you will share a special bond from having studied together and that could really help your career in the future." Vick Bain is most famous for creating http://thef-listmusic.uk - an innovative directory promoting female artists
Andy Griffin
Associate Lecturer and alumni - Music and Performing Arts"My experience encompasses various areas of the music business, with a specialisation in artist management, live shows and touring, A&R development, as well as extensive experience collaborating with record labels and studios. I firmly believe in fostering a positive and motivating environment, employing strategies such as praise, inspiration, mentoring and motivation."
Lee Humphries
BA (Hons) Music Production“Studying the Music Production degree at Newcastle College University Centre has helped me achieve great things in my career, including Number 1 tracks and European headline slots. The knowledge I gained and the insights from tutors and peers will help me to progress into the future. I’d definitely recommend the Music Production degree to future students and I've already recommended studying at the University Centre to others."
Ethan Connelly
BA (Hons) Music Production"I was studying Games Design when the COVID lockdown hit. I had an interest in music and had music programming software on my computer so I just gave it a go. I discovered I preferred making music to gaming, so I asked about switching courses to Music Production – and that’s what I’m studying now!"
Ben Landshoff
BA (Hons) Music Production"I've always been interested in DJing, and I've also been interested in learning about the history of the music industry. I studied Music at GCSE, so after Sixth Form I decided to take it further into a degree. I was looking for courses at UCAS when I found the Music Production degree here at the University Centre."
Nicola Cutter
Skills Bootcamp in An Introduction to Technical Skills for Live Events"I haven’t done any study since 2000. Four kids later, I’m coming back to education now. For being just a 12-week course, we got such an incredible range of experiences, including 3 or 4 theatre visits, as well as the opportunity to work on the set-up for Beyonce’s gig at the Stadium of Light, which was amazing."
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