Music
- Curriculum Overview
- Who Should Consider this Subject?
- Course Assessment Breakdown
- Equipment Needed
- How Can Parents/Carers Help their Child?
- Future Pathways
Curriculum Overview:
BTEC Music is an exciting and modern course, that gives you the opportunity to make music and develop your musical knowledge and skills, in a practical learning environment, concentrating on skills and products in the Music Industry.
Focus is on four areas of equal importance:
- The development of key skills in music, such as instrumental and performance skills; music creation and song writing, and music production skills.
- Exploring professional and commercial skills that underpin effective ways of working in the Music Industry.
- Application of skills and techniques to create musical ideas and products in response to a Music Industry brief.
- Considering attitudes that are most important in the Music Industry, including personal management and communication.
The BTEC course is the equivalent of 1 GCSE.
Who Should Consider this Subject?
BTEC Music is for those who wish to develop their music knowledge and technical skills (in performance, creating and production) through practical based learning. Student’s will require the ability to play a music instrument, basic keyboard skills, an ability to read music notation and basic computer skills.
Course Assessment Breakdown:
| Component: | Assessment: | Overview: |
| 1: Exploring Music – Products and Styles |
Internally assessed 30% of the overall grade |
Learners will explore the techniques used in the creation of different musical products and investigate the key features of different musical styles and genres. During Component 1, students will:
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| 2: Musical Skills Development |
Internally assessed 30% of the overall grade |
Learners will have the opportunity to develop their skills in two musical disciplines, through engagement in practical tasks, while documenting their progress and planning for further improvement. During Component 2, students will:
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| 3: Responding to a Commercial Music Brief |
Externally assessed by the exam board 40% of the overall grade |
Learners will be given the opportunity to develop and present music in response to a given commercial music brief. During Component 3, students will:
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Equipment Needed:
Ideally, you will need to have access to your chosen instrument whilst at home, enabling you to practise your instruments/voice and develop your skills. Usually you will have additional one to one music lessons on your chosen instrument/voice outside of their timetabled music lessons; this can be done privately, or in the Academy, through our peripatetic music service. If students are eligible for Free School Meals, this provision is fully funded by the Academy. Access to a computer is desirable, as coursework tasks will be word processed, and student’s will be required to complete independent research tasks.
Enrichment Opportunities:
There are lots of opportunities for enrichment in the Music department – with activities that take place in the Academy, as well as events that take place in the community. Here are some of the ensembles you can take part in:
LA Senior Choir – This is open to anyone that enjoys singing in a group and students from Years 9 to 11 are involved. There is always opportunity for students to take on solo parts in the concerts we hold. One of our biggest events is our Academy Presentation Evening, held at Louth town Hall; the LA Senior Choir is one of the main entertainment acts at the evening, performing a variety of different genres and styles.
Jam Sesh! – Students who enjoy playing their instruments and being parts of band enjoy meeting to learn new songs and have a jam together.
Inter-House Music Competition – This takes place during the academic year during school time. It is open to any student in Years 7 to 11 who can play an instrument or sing a song. It doesn't matter if you are at grade 8 standard or have taken no exams at all - anyone can represent their tutor group.
How Can Parents/Carers Help their Child?
Encourage your child to practise regularly and take part in musical events in local community. In addition, speak to your son or daughter about how music has evolved in your lifetime. Music is so accessible now and it is difficult for them to understand when music was not instantaneous. If you can, attend a variety of local and wider field concerts and live music events. Encourage your child to use music apps and software, to develop their knowledge and understanding of music creation and technology. Share your likes and dislikes in music and justify them. Often, we find students struggle to justify their preferences and resort to the opinion that 'it's on the radio' or 'my friends like it'. Most importantly, have a variety of music playing in the house!
Future Pathways:
| Education | Careers: |
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Who to Contact for Further Information:
Mrs S Baker – Curriculum Leader for Music