BTEC MUSIC
MUSIC BTEC
Exam Board: Edexcel, BTEC Extended Certificate in Music Performance. This is the equivalent of one A-Level.
What are the benefits of the course?
The BTEC in music is a very practical course, and so students will focus mainly on developing their practical music-making skills, be this as a singer or an instrumentalist. The course aims to be as practical as possible, and this means that if students are much stronger performers/composers than writers this could be a better option for their further study in music. The course is as broad as possible so that students gain experience from many areas of the music industry, and will be better prepared for work as a musician, or to further study music at a university or at a more specific setting.
What will I study?
Students will study four units from a choice of 7 that are available to them, three of which are mandatory (2 of these are externally assessed) and one is optional. This does mean there can be some tailoring of the course to best fit the students, but it should be noted that the needs of the whole class will be considered and not just those of the individual students. Students will get the opportunity to study lots of areas involved with music including composition, performance and practice.
The mandatory units that students will study are (2 are externally assessed):
Ensemble Music Performance
Practical Music Theory and Harmony
Professional Practice in the Music Industry
And the optional units could include:
Composing Music
Music Performance Session Styles
Solo Performance
Improvising Music
How will I be assessed?
There are lots of different ways of assessing students, and this depends on what unit the student is studying. Typically, the students will be assessed through performance, but they might also be asked to give a presentation, evidence practice through the use of practice diaries, or use video evidence. This will include 2 external exams that you will prepare for throughout the course - this will be completed over several ICT sessions in controlled conditions; students are permitted to take in supporting notes and information. There will also be some controlled practical assessment work to support the writing elements.
What does it lead to?
The BTEC can lead to a number of different careers, most of which will be based around practical music making and theoretical understanding . As already stated, the course is designed to be broad so that students gain as much experience in different areas of the music industry as possible. The independent nature of the course also helps to develop students into well rounded, responsible learners, which is something that employers and universities look for both inside and outside of Music. The BTEC is equivalent to an A-Level in music, and is a good route to go down if you’d like to study music at university, or get into the industry.
Entry Requirements:
Students will play an instrument or sing to at least a grade 4 standard or will have achieved a Merit grade or above in Level 2 BTEC Music. Auditions can be held if no graded exams have been sat and the student has not studied Music at Level 2.
Auditions can be arranged by emailing Mrs Millard below.
Staff Contact:
Mrs Millard, Head of Performing Arts