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Engaging the Crowd: A Deep Dive into Music Performance and Composition

This is a Music Subject Spotlight with Dr Chanan Hanspal from Anglia Ruskin University. An interactive, cinematic course taster experience to allow students to gain insights into what it's like to study Music.

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This course begins by exploring the evolution of music performance, focusing on how artists engage audiences and shape their stage presence. You'll examine how different genres, from glam rock’s theatricality to the intensity of live rock shows, influence performance styles. We’ll cover audience engagement techniques as well as how performers use confidence-building strategies like alter egos to overcome stage anxiety. The course will also delve into the evolution of popular music performance from the 1950s to today, highlighting how societal changes, technological advancements, and cultural movements have shaped audience engagement. You’ll learn the fundamentals of melody, chords, and rhythm, understanding how they work together to form music. Additionally, you'll explore alternative ways to create melodies and chords and how modes offer unique qualities and creative possibilities. The course will also show how modes can be used both independently and alongside functional harmony to enhance melody and improvisation. In the practical section, you’ll apply your knowledge of chords in a two-part notation activity, with the second part encouraging you to create your own unique chord structures.

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About Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University is an innovative global university with students from 185 countries at our campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough and Writtle. These students are at the heart of our University, and we're delighted that our final-year undergraduates are positive about their educational experience. Our community is also incredibly important to us, and we're proud of the role we play in our cities and the wider region – including the positive effect on jobs and the local economy. It is this impact that helped us become the THE University of the Year 2023, a prestigious award that recognises our success in delivering high impact projects focused on the difference we make in the region and communities where we’re based as well as the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

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Meet the academics

Dr Chanan Hanspal

Chanan is a composer and guitarist who has worked in the music industry since 1993. He has performed and recorded with various artists, including John Medeski, Roots Manuva, Jazz Jamaica, Kylie Minogue, Jeff Lorber, Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Valerie Etienne (Galliano), The Roots, Quest Love, 23 Skidoo, Imanni (Incognito) Summer, and ex-Miles Davis musicians Bill Evans and Mike Stern. Chanan’s original jazz compositions 'It's only just a garden' and 'Jazz Scuffle' received extended radio play in Japan, Holland, New York and the UK, including Jazz FM and the Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio One. Chanan has recorded for Virgin, Sony, Dorado and Instinct Records, and has independently released a number of solo albums. In addition, he has toured and performed worldwide playing some of the most prestigious venues and events including Jazzhaus, Freiburg, Germany, Olympia, Paris, Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott's, Glastonbury Festival, Velfarre in Tokyo and WOMAD Festival.

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Remarkable & relatable academics

Learn from some of the UK's finest and most decorated academics as they give you a genuine, insightful, and engaging experience of studying their courses at their universities.

Interactive quizzes and activities

Have a go at fascinating interactive quizzes and activities, then get meaningful and intuitive feedback from the academics to see how you've done.

Content to enhance students university applications

Hear direct from the academics what's expected of you in your university application, and the things you can do to improve your chances of getting on the course you most desire!

Certificate of completion

You'll receive a certificate of completion to evidence your learning - why not add this to your CV and university applications to show your dedication to your future pathway!

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This subject spotlight is made for students aged 16 and above, that are considering applying to University, particularly to study the subject in the title, or similar areas.

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The easiest way to include it would be to briefly mention one or two things you learned from it and how/why those learnings have furthered your desire to study the subject. We don't want to prescribe an answer because it's your personal statement but this is a good starting point!