A1 Performing as an Ensemble

In this unit you will develop advanced skills in how to work with an ensemble.

You will create professional standard band arrangements exploring dynamics, texture and counter melody.

You will also explore new genres and techniques to push at the edges of your comfort zone.

Each week you work on two group projects:

A Side: A new version of a classic song with Mike | B-side: A contrasting song with Steve

All class performances get recorded and broadcast on the QE YouTube Channel and you'll create a reflective log of your work.

You might decide that your band is good enough to enter our Battle of the Bands Competition where you will play to a big crowd with professional PA and full stage lighting. And if that doesn't tempt you, maybe a cash prize of £200 will?!

A2 Creating Musical Material

In practical lessons you explore how to create music using software. Using Garageband and Logic you will learn how to record 'live' instruments and create musical ideas using samples and virtual instrumentation.

You will learn how to edit, process and loop musical ideas, explore sound effects and create textures and counterpoint.

You will work on a range of projects creating music for different purposes ranging from old school disco and hip hop to modern ambient dance tracks and music for film and TV.

A3 Musical Styles

In practical lessons you will learn to play and perform using the musical ingredients of lots of musical genres including Blues - Jazz - Rock - Reggae - RnB - Funk - Hip Hop - Indie

You will then re-use the ingredients to give classic songs a new musical 'makeover'.

Nirvana in a 70's disco style? | Arctic Monkeys in 50's Jazz style? | Taylor Swift in a 80's indie style?

You will also develop advanced listening skills using YouTube to analyse how records from different genres are created, what are the ingredients of a classic song and what role do producers play.

C1 Music Industry Careers

The music industry is one of the UK's biggest and most successful industries.

You will learn about how the music industry developed and the roles of music producers, songwriters, record companies, promoters, venues, publishing and streaming.

There will be visits and talks from people who have had successful careers in the industry.