Music

Powerful Knowledge

BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice (Music Pathway)

This qualification supports students in forming personal and meaningful relationships with music through the development of musical knowledge, understanding and skills including performing, composing and appraising. The qualification encourages students to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music and musical contexts,   develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts, and reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities.

 Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles

In this component, you will develop your understanding of different types of music products and the techniques used to create them. You will explore how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the creation, production and performance of music. You will also practically explore the key features of different styles of music and music theory and apply your knowledge and understanding to developing your own creative work using your instrument or voice. You will investigate and experiment with how music from a variety of styles is produced in order to create their own products.

Component 2: Music Skills Development

As a performer, producer or creator in the music industry, you need to continually develop your skills and techniques in order to be successful and secure a regular flow of gigs and commissions. In this component, you will participate in workshops and classes where you will develop technical, practical, personal and professional skills and specialise in the following areas: music performance and creating original music. Throughout your development, you will review your progress and consider how to make improvements. You will learn how musicians share their work and collaborate with others, and will develop your skills as a musician in how to use blogs, YouTube™, Soundcloud™ and other platforms to share your work and skills development with others

Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief

This component will allow you to work to your strengths and interests and apply the skills that you have learned throughout your course in a practical way. You will focus on a particular area of the music sector that excites and appeals to you and respond to a music brief as a composer or performer. You will begin by exploring the brief and investigating possible responses and ideas to meet the demands of the brief. Using relevant resources, skills and techniques you will then develop and refine musical material before presenting your final response. You will develop and present an original creation based on a piece from a given list and a style from a choice of four. You will then present this as a solo or group performance.

Literacy

Opportunities to develop literacy in BTEC Music:

• Developing new terminology and key terms that are specific to either music in general (theoretical terms), or to each area of study in component 3.
• Musical vocabulary Italian/German/French words
• Presentations.
• Reading and writing musical scores using a variety of notation systems

School Context

We have a respectable number of students engaging in peripatetic instrumental lessons both at school and externally. We also have lots of local ensembles, such as Simply Brass and Stowmarket Concert Band, along with county-led ensembles.

Assessment

Components 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment. This is designed to demonstrate application of the conceptual knowledge underpinning the sector through realistic tasks and activities and promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice. Non-exam internal assessment is delivered through Pearson-set Assignments. These assignments are set by Pearson, marked by the centre and moderated by Pearson. Component 3, which provides the main synoptic assessment for the qualification. The external assessment takes the form of a set task taken under supervised conditions, which is then marked and a grade awarded by Pearson.

Careers

Students can progress from this qualification to: further study of music at AS and A Level and to study of AS and A Level Music Technology; Vocational courses such as the Pearson BTEC National in Music and Music Technology; Apprenticeships or other training; Employment in a related sector.

Powerful Knowledge

BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice (Technology Pathway)

This qualification has been developed to provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of music through the use of Music Technology and is aimed at students who have a passion for creating music using digital technology. Throughout the course, you will study 3 units:

Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles

In this component, you will develop your understanding of different types of music products and the techniques used to create them. You will explore how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the creation, production and performance of music. You will also practically explore the key features of different styles of music and music theory and apply your knowledge and understanding to developing your own creative work using digital technology. You will investigate and experiment with how music from a variety of styles is produced in order to create their own products.

Component 2: Music Skills Development

As a performer, producer or creator in the music industry, you need to continually develop your skills and techniques in order to be successful and secure a regular flow of gigs and commissions. In this component, you will participate in workshops and classes where you will develop technical, practical, personal and professional skills and specialise in the following areas: creating original music and music production. Throughout your development, you will review your progress and consider how to make improvements. You will learn how musicians share their work and collaborate with others, and will develop your skills as a musician in how to use blogs, YouTube™, Soundcloud™ and other platforms to share your work and skills development with others

Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief

This component will allow you to work to your strengths and interests and apply the skills that you have learned throughout your course in a practical way. You will focus on a particular area of the music sector that excites and appeals to you and respond to a music brief as a music producer. You will begin by exploring the brief and investigating possible responses and ideas to meet the demands of the brief. Using relevant resources, skills and techniques you will then develop and refine musical material before presenting your final response. You will develop and present an original creation based on a piece from a given list and a style from a choice of four. You will then present this as an audio recording or a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) project.

Literacy

Opportunities to develop literacy in Music Technology:

• Developing new terminology and key terms that are specific to each unit (available in each unit content)
• Assessed written coursework.
• Presentations.
• Although there is no requirement for written work in certain units, it can be beneficial in supporting awarding higher grades

School Context

Exploring and exposing students to how music is created in a variety of ways both nationally and internationally.
Although we are a rural school, there are many highly renowned studios situated in rural communities, such as MonkeyPuzzle in Woolpit with clients ranging from You Me At Six to Porpcupine Tree, and Decoy Studios.

Assessment

Components 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment. This is designed to demonstrate application of the conceptual knowledge underpinning the sector through realistic tasks and activities and promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice. Non-exam internal assessment is delivered through Pearson-set Assignments. These assignments are set by Pearson, marked by the centre and moderated by Pearson. Component 3, which provides the main synoptic assessment for the qualification. The external assessment takes the form of a set task taken under supervised conditions, which is then marked and a grade awarded by Pearson.

Careers

BTEC Music prepares learners to progress onto further musical study such as a level 3 BTEC course in Music or Music Technology, A-Level Music Technology, or other vocational qualifications at a further education establishment.