Music BTEC

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Why should I choose to study Music?

Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Music Practice.

You should take music if you enjoy listening to music, playing music, writing your own music, are interested in different kinds of music including Pop Music, Film Music and World Music and are interested in developing your skills as a performer, composer and producer. 

You will need to be able to work independently and take responsibility for completing your work by the given deadlines, work as part of a group and take on leadership roles when necessary and participate in extracurricular musical activities including instrumental lessons and performances in school shows.

How will I be examined?

 

  • Unit 1 - Exploring Music, Products and Styles: 
    Coursework 30%. 
  • Unit 2  - Music Skills Development: 
    Coursework 30% .
  • Unit 3 - Responding to Commercial Music Brief:
    External Assessment 40%.

What will I study?

  • Unit 1 - Exploring Music, Products and Styles: looking at key artists, technologies of music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and present day.
  • Unit 2 - Music Skills Development: choose two skills from performing, composing and producing and develop them over time keeping a log of your progress.
  • Unit 3 - Responding to a commercial music brief: under exam conditions take an existing piece of music and transform it into another genre either through performance or production.

Recommended text books, additional reading 

  • Music Cole, B (1996). The Composer’s Handbook: A Do-it Yourself Approach. 2nd ed. London: Schott Music. ISBN 0946535809
  • Cole, B (2006). The Pop Composer’s Handbook - A Step-by-step Guide to the Composition of Melody, Harmony, Rhythm and Structure. London: Schott MusicISBN

Recommended online resourses

BBC Bitesize - GCSE Music Revision and Tests

Music Theory Lessons and Exercises

Listen to and find out more about Classical Music

Department contact:

Sophie Morelle, Assistant Headteacher - Music