Modern Musicianship Performance and Production (SCP)

Course overview

Our Modern Musicianship Performance and Production (SCP) course is for S5 and S6 pupils with some musical experience. Typically participants will have studied music up to National 5 level, although this isn't essential if they have equivalent experience from elsewhere. 

It provides an introduction to working in music performance and production. 

School pupils attend college for two afternoons a week. 

On one of the afternoons, students focus on music-making in small groups, working in rehearsal rooms and our auditorium on both covers and originals. At the end of each term, there is an opportunity to perform for friends and family in informal gigs; there are also opportunities to record and be filmed in our superb studio.

On the other afternoon, students work on self-directed projects using DAW software, creating new music in response to a series of briefs under the supervision of a music technology expert. 

Completion of the course will lead to one NPA qualification at SQCF L6 and other SQA and centre-devised units:

• NPA Music Performing
• SQA Unit: Creative Project
• EC Unit: Music Technology Skills

What you will learn

• Instrumental performance skills
• Group performance skills
• Songwriting
• Arranging
• Music Technology
• Live performance
• Events planning
• Music production

How the course is assessed

Mainly project based in the following areas:

• Group live performance
• Songwriting 
• Solo performance 
• Music Production 

Number of days per week

• 2 days per week (Tue/Thur afternoon)

Entry requirements

• Equivalent to ABRSM grade 3 (or higher) on one instrument or voice
• Successful audition (online)
• Nat 4/5 qualifications in English and a creative subject

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Audition Instructions 2026 – please read carefully

INTRODUCTION

You are to record a video in which you play or sing two short contrasting pieces or songs on your first instrument or voice. This video will then be uploaded to YouTube, with the link added to your application (see below).

CHOICE OF MUSIC

You are advised to choose pieces that you have learned recently and that you enjoy playing. If you are not sure what to play, you could have a look at current grade syllabuses such as those of Trinity College London: details for their Rock and Pop selections can be found here. Backing tracks for all pieces and songs from that syllabus are widely available online.

‘Contrasting pieces or songs’ can mean pieces or songs in two different styles, different speeds, different feels, or different moods.

PERFORMANCE

You are encouraged to give a short, informal spoken introduction to your performance, either before or after the music. When you introduce yourself, you should

• give your name and say where you are from
• say a little bit about your musical experience (including how long you have been playing or singing, and any experience of playing with other people in bands or ensembles)
• say which if any music exams you have done (within school and/or outside school)
• say which pieces you are going to play or sing, and (if you can) say why you chose them

Please don’t worry if there are any hesitations or faltering in your introduction: it is just useful for us to get some sense of how you communicate at this stage.

Please make every effort to use backing tracks or have a live accompanist where appropriate to the music. If that isn’t possible, please play or sing unaccompanied.

Please make sure your face and hands (for instrumentalists) are visible in the video.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO RECORD A VIDEO

If you are unable to record a video because you don't have an instrument at home (e.g. if you are a first study percussionist), or for any other reason, please let us know and we will arrange an interview with you by phone or video call and/or an in-person audition.

UPLOADING AND SHARING THE LINK

The video should be uploaded to YouTube as unlisted.

If you don’t have a YouTube channel, you can follow instructions here to set one up.

If you haven’t uploaded a video before, you can follow instructions here to do so.

Please be careful to upload the video as unlisted rather than private.

Please name the video in the following format:

Your name – SCP Modern Musicianship - Your instrument, e.g.

‘Laurie Crump SCP Modern Musicianship Recorder’

Please then paste a link to the video within the additional information section of your application.

AFTER SUBMISSION

Our staff will review your application and, in some cases, they will follow up by giving you a phone or video call. If you don't get a call, don't worry! It will be because the staff have got all the information they need from your video and the rest of your application.

We aim to be in touch with a decision about your application within two weeks, although please note that this is not always possible.

Privacy Notice Music Applicant Selection