Music Practice

Subject leader: Mr A Webb

Email address: awebb@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: Pearson

Course specification: (Click here)

Course Description:

The BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice gives students experience in vocational contexts in all aspects of music including developing understanding of musical elements, composing, performance and music production. The course allows learners to develop both musical skills, as well as personal skills, such as self-development or responding to a brief, which are relevant to the wide range of roles within the modern music industry. Through a mixture of practical and written work, students will have the opportunity to compose, perform and record their own music, as well as studying a wide range of musical examples in order to develop their understanding. It appeals to both musicians and technically minded students with a wide range of experience, including those who have not previously had formal instrumental tuition, but students should be enthusiastic about performing and creating music and willing to play an instrument or sing on this course, as well as sharing their work with others, even if it is only at a basic level.

Course Units

Unit 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles – students explore the techniques used in the creation of different musical products and investigate the key features of different musical styles.

Unit 2: Music Skills Development – students will be asked to develop two musical disciplines, including performing, composing or production, through practical tasks, while planning for further improvement and reflecting on their progress.

Unit 3: Responding to a Musical Brief – Students will develop and present music in response to a given music brief as a composer, performer or producer, producing a piece of music based on a stimulus and choice of style.

Assessment:

As with other vocational courses, students will complete assessed work across the duration of the course, with only the final unit being completed at the end of year 11.

Units 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment, with students working on a final assignment in class time and work being assessed by the centre. Unit 3 builds on the skills developed in the first two units and is submitted and assessed externally at the end of the course. Across the units, students will produce a range of evidence for their portfolio of work, including photos, audio recordings, videos, written journals and teacher observation which will contribute to their final grade.

Why should I study this course?

The Music Practice BTEC is an ideal course for students with musical experience or an interest in music, and offers a wide variety of musical opportunities to suit the learners. Lessons across the course will offer a plenty of opportunity for practical work in a range of contexts, as well as developing a good understanding of how music works and preparing students for future musical pathways. The course includes plenty of opportunity for both independent and collaborative work, and provides a good balance with more exam based subjects. Students who study music in KS4 will have the opportunity to make use of the extensive resources available in the music department, and be encouraged to take part in our extra curricular groups and events.

Student Quote:

“Music is always fantastic!. The teachers are so supportive and the facilities available are incredible. The performances are always great fun to be involved in.” Oliver, year 11