Music / Music Technology

We have a choice of Music awards that are suited to different learners, they are GCSE music  (Bay House) with the AQA examination board and a more technology based vocational award with Pearson BTEC Tech Award Level 2 in Music Practice (Bay House and Brune Park). To pick either of these courses, select music on the options form and we will help you to decide which course will support your specific skills and aspirations in Music best.


Please speak to Mr Langridge or Mrs Davies if you have any further questions about Music, or if they wish to discuss which of the two course options you would be best suited to.


GCSE MUSIC


Key Information

Pupils who follow this course will have enthusiasm for and enjoy music.  It is an exciting and practical course that develops the skills taught in Years 7 to 9 and suits pupils with experience of musical performance as well as those who sing.

Assessment

The course is made up of three components: Performing, Composing and Understanding music. Pupils' assignments in the Performing and Composing components comprise 60% of their final grade and the last is assessed through an examination at the end of the course.



Subject information

Performing (30%)

Performing is made up of two types of performance; one solo and one performing with at least one other musician, lasting a combined total of 4 minutes.  Pupils have the freedom to choose the style of music they wish to perform, although can receive advice on repertoire. 

Composing (30%)

Pupils will, by the end of the course, have created their own musical works, and will have submitted one free composition and one composition to a chosen set brief. The compositions may be in any style and for any instrument(s) chosen by the candidate and will evidence the skills and techniques that will have been studied throughout the course.

Understanding Music - Examination (40%)

The 1 hour 30 and minute examination contains two sections. In the first section pupils must answer a range of questions based on recorded excerpts of music from a wide range of styles and genres within four Areas of Study. These are:

In the second section of the exam, pupils will answer questions based upon a series of set works that will be studied during the course.

Is this course right for me?


All skills are taught during the course, but a love of music is important.


Do I need to be able to play an instrument? The ability to be able to perform on an instrument (or sing) is essential for this course. You will be expected to practise your pieces in addition to your set home learning. There is no minimum standard that you have to be to start this course.


Do I need to have instrumental lessons? You do not have to receive instrumental lessons to take the course, however it is often helpful to have these to have further guidance to improve your technique.


Do I have to be able to read music? No, however a willingness to learn the basic concepts of music notation will help when studying the course.


I am worried my composing is not good enough. This is not a problem as you will be taught how to compose and will be supported throughout the course.

What can this lead to?

Music graduates have a wide range of career options available to them both inside and outside the industry, including: performer, teacher, administrator, songwriter, conductor, composer, recording engineer, manager, promoter, or music publisher. The range of roles can seem quite endless!

There are also more jobs than ever in music business related areas, such as: careers in digital marketing, social media, PR, technology, label services, ticketing and merchandising. It is also common to find music graduates in consultancy, finance, banking, music therapy and legal jobs.

Links

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse/music-8271


Music Technology


Key Information

Pupils who follow this course will have enthusiasm for music and have a desire to develop their knowledge and skills of music technology, learning techniques and how to use software that would be found in recording studios.

Assessment

Pupils create a portfolio of evidence, which contributes 60% of their final grade, with the remaining 40% made up with a practical controlled assessment.

Subject information

This exciting Level 2 course, which is equivalent to GCSE, looks at key aspects of the history of popular music, using technology in music composition and performing skills.

Pupils will study 2 units of work during the course. During this study pupils will create a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their understanding and skills. This can be achieved through online diaries, podcasts, videos or written assignments.  The grading system is based on Pass, Merit and Distinction.

Is this course right for me?

An enjoyment of music is a must when studying this course. Studying this course will develop pupils’ wider personal skills such as organisation, confidence, resilience, problem solving and many more.  The approach to project based work is flexible and pupils can choose to either focus on creating music via technology alone or using technology to support live performing.


Can I take this course with no experience of music technology? Yes, you will be taught everything that you need to know. 


Do I have to be able to read music? No, this is not needed for the course.


Do I need to be able to play an instrument? No, but you will be expected to engage with playing instruments that are taught with the course.


I am worried my composing is not good enough… This is not a problem as you will be taught how to compose, and supported throughout the course.



Where will this take me? 

Once you have completed the qualification, you will have developed valuable knowledge, practical skills and a wider understanding of the music industry. This qualification will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills through practical and creative application in a vocational context, and by responding creatively to a commercial brief.


Since you will be developing skills across a number of disciplines – such as music creation, production and performance – you will have a better understanding of whether the music industry is for you and, if so, which part of it you might want to study further. If you decide to go on to further study of music, the best option for you will depend on the grades you have achieved in this and the other qualifications you have taken, and what you enjoy doing. 


You could progress to a Level 2 Technical Certificate or to a Level 3 programme, such as A Levels, a T Level or a BTEC National, either on its own or in combination with A levels. 


Links

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-tech-awards/music-practice-2022.html