VA6004 - Music, Festivals & Events for Music Students

This module encourages self-directed and group learning, supported and guided by the teaching team of active practitioners. Experiential activities, team work and first-hand experience with managing music and events will be combined with talks and seminars to foster curiosity and analytical skills, as well as ongoing development of management skills. Digital technologies are essential for production and organising in this sector, and this is reflected in the teaching methods. We feature technology-enhanced, group and one-on-one approaches to teaching and learning, emphasising student-centred and practical activities. Technology is central to this process as a tool supporting the everyday learning activities, through audio and visual materials, discussion boards, collaborations, blogs and student websites.

Your module tutor will play an active role in guiding you through module sessions through, e-learning interactive activities and one-on-one electronic support and academic tutorials. Seminars, tutorials and on-site industry trips (in-person or through audio and video sessions) will offer additional opportunities to experience processes and issues, and ask to questions. All course materials will be made available on the relevant module e-Learning Portal sites.

The programme leader in Music will also be on hand to guide you through what will be expected of you, and to offer additional support either in person during advertised office hours, or via email.

At Department and Faculty level, the Student Administration and Support Centre (SASC) provides a place to ask questions (e.g. regarding timetables, late submissions and personal extenuating circumstances). SASC will refer you to the correct university service if it cannot directly help you.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critical understanding of the music, festivals and events industries, and their place in broader cultural life and society.

2. Ability to critically evaluate the processes and effectiveness of cultural management through observed practice, and knowledge related to the what, why and how of music, festival and events management

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Ability to identify opportunities for your future development in cultural management.

4. Demonstrate the skills to reflect, engage and communicate critically in this field, and the ability to identify problems and to propose solutions to them.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• 5. Show an awareness of strategic visioning and of the ethics of working in the industry, while demonstrating sensitivity towards others and a a sympathetic awareness of cultural difference in varied work settings.

FORMATIVE
Formative assessment will be carried out throughout the seminar sessions where students will discuss literature, issues and themes; undertake problem-orientated tasks; and complete weekly e-tivities relating to a wider range of issues pertinent to the music, festival and events industries aimed at all four Knowledge and Skills MLOs. Peer and tutor feedback, and self-reflection, will encourage Personal Values attributes of sensitivity, ethics and curiosity. Formative assessment will also be carried out through the briefing and development sessions in relation to the summative assessment.

SUMMATIVE
The summative assessment will be a 2,500 word essay demonstrating student's understanding of the complex contexts, operating environments and audiences related to management in their specialist music/event/festivals area of interest, using specific practice-oriented case studies (80%), plus an online/in-class presentation on their specialist topic equivalent to 1000 words (20%). Both will require students to demonstrate and elaborate the synthesis of theory to practice.

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This module will immerse you in the contemporary world of festivals, events and music management. You will be equipped and encouraged to critically evaluate economic, cultural, social, environmental and urban issues in music and the arts in general, developing an understanding of the role that festivals and events (including, but not limited to music) play in contemporary cultural life. You will explore the importance of topics such as digital technologies, artists, audiences, marketing, risk, impacts and money to the industry. You will be challenged to think critically and creatively about the why, who and how of music, festival and events management, as a specialist area of the cultural and creative industries sector. Sessions will include hands-on planning and programming as well as instruction and seminars by experienced professionals.