MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

Contract 2021-2022
 USEFUL NUMBERS
• 01322 629400 Main College

• 01322 629472 Teresa Rees-Boughton

• 01322 629422 Box Office

• 01322 629400 Student Services

• 01322 629420 Student Finance

 CONTENTS
• Welcome • Diversity
• Signing This Form • Respect
• Three Ps • Front of House
• The Miskin • Coming to the Miskin Theatre
• Attendance and ID Badges • Films
• Illness and Absences • Copyright and Plagiarism
• GCSEs and Functional Skills • The ’Miskin’ Name
• Personal Responsibility • Trips
• Professional Courtesy • Declaration
 WELCOME

• Congratulations on becoming a member of Miskin Music!

• While you are here you will have the opportunity to undertake roles and
responsibilities that are similar to, or indeed the same as, the expectations of the
professional music industry.
• Alongside those expectations are important rules and guidelines that allow
everybody to enjoy working in a safe and productive working environment.
• It is vital you adhere to these rules, and adopt a professional mindset now and
throughout the course.
• This contract is a reminder of the attributes of professionalism.
• Success on this course can only come through active collaboration. Following
these guidelines should make it easier to work in union, meaning we can achieve
our goals with the journey a rewarding experience.
 IN YOUR GROUP
• Discuss what is meant by PROFESSIONALISM?

• What would make a musician or music producer unprofessional?

• What things do you think you can do to be more professional?

 SIGNING THIS FORM
It’s important that you have read and understood this document. Seek
clarity where necessary. During the 6 week trial we will expect you to
show willing to undertake the responsibilities stated within.

Ensure a parent/guardian has also read and approved the contract (If
under 18), and return a signed and dated declaration form.*

*Found at the end of this document. Also available to download at miskinmusictech.tumblr.com

 THREE P’S
PREPARED – PUNCTUAL – PROFESSIONAL
• A successful journey is underpinned by a clear understanding of the needs of the industry, and the
expectation that you are prepared. Having the equipment required, ensuring notes have been made,
feeling confident and being in a professional frame of mind, are all ways to ensure you prepared to
undertake daily challenges at college. Your journey here will then in turn reward you with being prepared
for the challenges of Higher Education or the Music Industry itself.

• Without being prepared it is hard to be punctual. There is no place in the industry for those who are not
punctual. Your sessions will start on time and you may not be allowed to join them if activities are already
taking place. When working collaboratively, being late may impact the work of others.

• Punctuality is just one quality required for being professional. Every day at college will require you to also
consider the importance of self-discipline, appearance, courtesy and respect for others, unselfishness and
a great deal of common sense. A professional will also endeavour to broaden their appreciation of the
arts.
 IN YOUR GROUP
• Discuss - What are the worst things you can be late for?
• (Consider a time when you were late for something, what were the
consequences?)

• Who does it effect when you are late?

• What things can you do to prevent yourself being late for something?
 THE MISKIN
• You are now part of The Miskin Theatre.

• Miskin Music is just one area of the wider Miskin Company, which includes artists of all kinds,
including actors, musicians, designers, photographers, visual artists and dancers.

• You will be expected to support the work of the wider company. This means music gigs in the Miskin
Venue, but also includes performances by the dancers and actors in The Miskin Theatre too.

• You will be required, with advanced warning and training, to perform ‘Front of House’ duties for at
least one show. This will most likely occur in the evening and could be at the weekend.

• As Miskin students, your tickets are free, but you must book. If you have booked but then cannot
attend you must let the box office know. Tickets for all Miskin performances will be available four
weeks before the opening night, from the box office or online at:
https://miskintheatre.cloudvenue.co.uk/home
 IN YOUR GROUP
• Discuss – What other art forms are closely linked with music?

• What other art forms are you interested in?

• Why do we enjoy art? Do we need it?

 ATTENDANCE AND ID BADGES
• Your attendance is expected to be excellent. You will be marked by the tutor on a register, or you may be asked
to ‘sign-in’. All attendance marks are cross-referenced with the ID badge swipe information. Letting anyone into
the college with your ID will result in disciplinary action.

• You must wear your ID badge and correct lanyard at all times at college.

• The music areas are strictly for music students only.

• If your session requires you to ‘sign-in’ prior to the start time, the
form on which you sign becomes a legal document. As such, it
will require your usual signature, the correct date, and cannot be
defaced.

• Signing in tells us who is here and who is not. It is vital during

emergencies, such as a fire evacuation. If you are in, but haven’t
signed in, then serious problems could happen.
 ILL OR ABSENT
• If you are ill, or an absence is unavoidable, you need to let us know before 9:30am.

01322 629472
• Asking a friend to report your absence, or using social media, is not acceptable. Either yourself or a
parent/guardian must contact the college directly on the number above to leave a message.

• Doctor and dentist appointments should be arranged for a day when you are not due to be in college. If this is
not possible then it must be discussed prior to booking and made as early in the day as possible. An
appointment card or letter from the surgery must be shown to your personal tutor before you attend. Even
through the proper channels, please be minded that your education will be affected the more time you have
absent.

• Holidays taken in term time will likewise affect your education, and indeed may seriously affect your grade and
therefore chance of progression. We seriously advise you to not book holidays during term time.

• Please see term dates on your Tumblr site.

 IN YOUR GROUP
• List 5 rules of the contract so far, and describe why you think they are
important.
GCSES AND FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
• Some of you may need to attend English and
Maths classes. These are arranged around your
Music Technology course so you are not missing
out on any aspect of your main discipline.

• The same high standards of behaviour and

professionalism are expected here, and should
there be any concerns we will act as if the slip in
standards occurred on your main course.

• Anyone taking GCSEs or Functional Skills will need

to be aware that if you have not achieved 80%
attendance for these sessions by the end of the
year you will not progress onto the next year.
 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
• Personal hygiene must be maintained from
day to day. You’re working closely with
other people so make sure you shower daily
and wear clean clothes.
• Your reputation precedes you. A good
reputation makes for good opportunities.
• Patterns of repeated lateness will indicate to
us that you do not have the professional
mindset to work in the music industry. Set
your alarm, arise and be sharp. Relying on
someone else to get you out of bed is not
how professionals operate.
• Equipment maybe required. Ensure you
have remembered to bring to college what
you need to complete your daily tasks. You
are solely responsible for anything valuable,
so keep it safe!
 IN YOUR GROUP
• Discuss – why is it important to have good personal hygiene?

• (at college, in the work place, in everyday life)

 PROFESSIONAL COURTESY
• Smart Phones – There is a place for smart phones in
your working day, so long as you: do be sensible:
and don’t be rude.

• Phones can be useful for research and notetaking,

but can also become a distraction and can seriously
disrupt the workflow of yourself and others. Don’t
make phone calls, or start messaging, without
agreement from the tutor.

• Don’t go AWOL without being given permission. If

you need to use the toilet let somebody know.

• Be back from breaks on time. Please be aware that an hour break for lunch is not enough time for you
to get a shuttle bus to Dartford town centre and back again.
 IN YOUR GROUP
• Discuss – What was life like before Smart Phones?

• How can they be used creatively?

• When can they stop the flow of creativity?

 DIVERSITY
• We are committed to equality, diversity, social inclusion and social justice.

• We oppose discrimination in any form, including inappropriate conduct,

bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and discrimination. We support BLM.

• Each individual should have the opportunity to maximise their full potential,
and therefore we believe that at the Miskin:

• There is respect for and protection of each individual’s human rights

• There is respect for the dignity and worth of each individual
• Each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in society
• The ability to achieve each individual’s potential is not limited by prejudice
or discrimination
 IN YOUR GROUPS
• Discuss – How has diversity in societies, throughout history, influenced music?
RESPECT • For each other - you have a responsibility to your fellow
company members to make their journey as pleasant and
successful as yours. Be supportive. Encourage one another.
Give and take advice.

• For staff – we will communicate with you in a professional

and adult fashion, so long as this is reciprocated. We will pull
you up on non-professional behaviour, including how you
speak to staff or how you treat college equipment. But we
will also work with you to overcome problems and give
guidance where necessary if we think you will respect the
advice.

• For yourself – look after your body and mind. Do not make
poor decisions with regards to drugs or alcohol. Be prepared
and be in a good frame of mind. Seek help when required,
and don’t be afraid to ask.

• For your environment – take pride in the exceptional facilities

you have to use while studying here. There are a few easy
things to remember that will keep the studios looking great:
don’t chew gum in the studios; only vape outside; eat or
drink in the canteen; and tidy as you go (drinking water is
permitted in a sealed container).
 FRONT OF HOUSE
• You will undertake Front of House duties during your training as a musician.
• You are part of a larger company and have a responsibility to the other companies as they do
yours.
• Doing FOH for each other enables us to keep working and producing. You will need to dress smartly
and elegantly and behave responsibly on FOH – you are representing the theatre to the public and
it is a major responsibility.
• Remember that lateness or absence seriously compromises the safety of the public and could
compromise your theatre license. If there aren’t enough FOH staff, it means that the theatre won’t
be able to open, which means no shows.
• Please be aware that you will be putting professional practice into action within The Miskin Theatre,
which is a publicly licensed, professional environment in which you are being given the opportunity
to publicly test your skills and gain creditable industrial experience.
• This will be evidenced throughout FOH whereby you will be graded on your contribution to the
evening.
 COMING TO THE MISKIN THEATRE
• Enjoy your theatre and all the facilities
at The Miskin. However, it’s important
to note that the public bars at The
Miskin Theatre are subject to national
licensing laws. If you are over 18, have
ID ready to show. BE DRINK AWARE
• We expect impeccable behaviour
from you when watching ANY
performance at the Miskin.
• Remember you may be sharing the
audience with members of the public.
Act as you would in any public space.
• Support the artists as best as you can.
They are still learning their trade, just
like you. Anti-social behaviour caused from alcohol
consumption will not be tolerated.
 FILMS
• Research is intrinsic to your studies. This may mean watching films and footage that
have been categorised by the BBFC for an older age group. By signing the
declaration form attached to this document, your parents/guardians are consenting
to allow the viewing of material of any certification.
• You will not be asked to watch anything that might make you uncomfortable, and
everything you are asked to watch will have relevant context to the project being
undertaken.
 COPYRIGHT AND PLAGIARISM
• Photographic, film and recorded evidence taken during auditions, rehearsals and
performances, remains the sole property of The Miskin Theatre, North Kent College.
• Your work will require independent secondary research. Copying from the internet
and additional sources, without proper Harvard referencing, is not allowed.
• Awarding bodies are within their right to remove you from their programme if you
have used uncredited sources.
• Copyright violations may also arise and prove costly.
• Third party software and plug-ins cannot be downloaded onto college computers.
• By signing the declaration, you are consenting to your image and voice being used
throughout and following your training. You may choose to opt out at any point
during or after your course by emailing miskintheatre@mac.com
 THE MISKIN
• Our name is important to us and will hopefully become very important to
you. To this end you need to be aware that use of "The Miskin" on the net
or on social media is seen by everyone and we expect it to be used with
care and respect.

• Bringing The Miskin into disrepute is taken seriously by us. Under NO

circumstances should you be uploading any footage to You Tube using
the word Miskin unless agreed by us.
 TRIPS
• All being well, we are hopefully going to plan some
trips to interesting places that will be beneficial to
your course.

• Extra consent forms will be issued if the trip requires

independent travel.

• All of the professional attributes expected during

normal college life will be expected in whichever
venues we visit. When you are there you are
ambassadors for the Miskin, and remember:

we value the Miskin name.

 IN YOUR GROUPS
• Discuss and then list the most important parts of the contract.

• What do you think would happen if there wasn’t contract in place?

DECLARATION