Music Performance Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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Study this course with us and you will be surrounded by internationally acclaimed artists, world class music practitioners, a skilled technical team and expert teachers.

You will live and breathe what it is like to be a professional musician or producer, enjoying a learning experience that will put you at the top of any employer’s list and give you the best opportunities to kick start your career.

You will benefit from instrumental lessons every week, delivered by leading music practitioners.

You will study graded music theory exams and have the opportunity to study graded instrumental syllabus (RGT, LCM and Rock School).

You will take part in ensemble workshops every week and perform gigs in professional cultural venues at least three times a year.

Your lessons will be both practical and theoretical culminating in weekly live venue performance workshops in our professional theatre as well as other performances in local professional venues.

Your course will include a host of industry seminars and workshops throughout the year from local music businesses such as Generator, who are at the forefront of emerging music.

To compliment your learning you will also have opportunity to perform throughout the course to live audiences across multiple local venues, developing your skills in the real working environment exposing you to the industry and giving you the employment edge.

You will do this in collaboration with the Music Tech and Production Arts Students.

We aim to make you ‘work and HE ready’, so you are as comfortable jumping into a career in music as you would be going to Higher Education.

So as well as developing your practical vocation skills you will work on strengthening vital personal skills like problem solving, research, planning, presentation and reflection/evaluation.

The course is a two year, full-time vocational course, equivalent to 3 A Levels.

You will work on the following practical projects:

  • Creativity and song writing
  • Live sound
  • Studio production
  • Project management
  • Instrument skills development
  • Language of music
  • Sequencing
  • Enterprise
  • Live venue performance

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including performance assessment, personal journals, assignments, tests and others.

The exact nature of the evidence you’ll need to provide will depend on the subject material you’re covering.

Our fantastic Baltic Campus is equipped with some of the best education facilities in the UK including industry standard recording studios, rehearsal spaces and a custom built 200 capacity performance theatre.

Four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, plus an audition.

You’ll need to have some musical ability on your chosen instrument.

Real work experience is key to all of our courses.

You will take part in placement or work inspiration activities including performances at The Cluny.

Event management projects allow you to take the reins and steer the direction of your future.

Previous students have successfully undertaken placements in local recording studios and community music organisations.

Our students also get opportunities to undertake work experience behind the scenes at Leeds Festival and at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall.

We are also proud to have been chosen as a founder college of the National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural (NSACC), a national network of colleges, companies and venues around the country that aim to improve the skill level within the Creative Industries.

We were the only college in the region to be chosen for the network, which includes the Royal Albert Hall, and companies behind some of the world’s biggest music festivals.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026