VA6004 - Music, Festivals & Events for Music Students

What will I learn on this module?

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.

How will I learn on this module?

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.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

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.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

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.

How will I be assessed?

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.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

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.

Course info

UCAS Code W320

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Humanities

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints