BTEC in Music

Year 10

BTEC First Diploma in MUSIC

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for students who are interested in a career in the music industry. It focuses on aiding students to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life. Alongside, teaching students about different employment opportunities.

What will I study on the course?

The BTEC First Diploma is a vocational qualification that focuses on aspects of employment within the music industry.

3 Core Units:

• Working in the Music Industry - students will develop their knowledge of employment opportunities and jobs in the music industry
• Professional Development in the Music Industry - students will explore the career opportunities focusing on their own professional development
• Planning and Creating a Music Product - students will apply skills to plan and develop a music product of their choice using skills appropriate for both the planning and production of the piece. Examples include creating a CD, putting on a concert

Specialist Units could include:

• Working as a musical ensemble - the unit will allow students to gain a knowledge of and develop the skills required by members of a musical ensemble
• Developing as a Musical Performer - the unit will enable learners to become aware of an develop elements of image, style, health and wellbeing as they are applied in the working life of musical performers
• The development of Music - the unit will allow students to develop their knowledge of the role of music in society
• Developing Music Theory - the unit will enable students to develop their knowledge of music theory and apply it to practical solutions

The Diploma is a 60 credit and 360 guided-learning-hour qualification. Successful completion of the course will give you a nationally recognized qualification worth 4 GCSE's.

What other skills will I acquire?

You will have the opportunity to develop your personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS), functional skills in ICT and English.
You will learn how to work as part of a team and to lead and take the initiative in group work.
You will explore the opportunities open to you in the music industry which will enable you to make informed choices about your future career plans.

What will I need for the course?

• You need to enjoy the subject. As this is a very practical course, you must be able to play an instrument and/or sing
• Be prepared to perform in different environments in and out of school, including Assemblies and Concerts
• It will be a requirement of the course that you attend extra-curricular activities
• Having the ability to read music is desirable but having the interest to develop these skills is more essential
• Be interested in developing all of your musical skills, focusing on the music industry

What is special about studying Music at The Hereford Academy?

• Dedicated Staff that encourage your learning skills
• Purpose built Music Classroom - Based around PCs with Cubase and Sibelius Yamaha MIDI KeyboardsRock/Popular Instruments, 16 Track Powered Mixing Desk and Amplifiers
• Music Practice Rooms - for individual/group work
• Range of vocal and instrumental performing groups including rock and popular music
• Specialist music lessons are available to all BTEC students

How will I be assessed?

• Assessment is by coursework based on assignments set in each unit
• Assignments will involve: Performance projects, group and individual project work as well as written work and research
• Assessments are graded at Distinction, Merit or Pass level
• On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an overall Distinction, Merit or Pass grade

What can I do on completion of this course?

On completion of the First Diploma, students can progress onto AS Level Performing Arts, AS Level Music.

Year 10

GCSE Music

Is this the right subject for me?

If you enjoy:

• composing and performing music
• learning an instrument or singing
• creating music on computers or in a recording studio
• learning about all types of music, including classical, popular and world then our GCSE Music is the ideal subject for you.

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?

You have already gained many of the basic skills needed for this course in your music lessons over the last three years at secondary school.

• You have been introduced to creating music of your own in class and this is developed on the GCSE course as you choose two topics for composition. For example, this could be a popular song and a dance track, a classical piece or some world music. There is a wide choice and it can be tailored to your own musical interests and strengths.
• You have already listened to a variety of music in class and these skills are developed as you study some set pieces taken from the classical, 20th century, popular and world music Areas of Study.
• You enjoy making music, either as a soloist or in a group. The GCSE course encourages you to perform music of your own choosing and in any style, as a soloist and also in a group. To take this course, you must be able to offer at least one instrument/or voice.

An ability and willingness to perform is essential as is level 5 English

What will I study on the course?

You will learn how:

• to improve your performing skills
• music is constructed from initial ideas through to the finished product
• to analyse music in a variety of styles and discover the social and historical context in which music has been composed over the last 400 years or so.

How will I be assessed?

Performing - You will need to play one solo piece and one ensemble piece.
Composing - You will need to create two compositions.
Listening & Appraising - You will sit a 90 minute written paper with questions on your prescribed set works.

What can I do on completion of this course?

AS level Music, AS level Performing Arts, BTEC National in Music