Music and Music Technology

Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel

Course Title:  BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice

Why should I choose to study music?

Music BTEC will help you improve both practical and academic skills, preparing you for a possible career within the music industry.

What will I learn?

The course involves a study of a wide range of musical genres and traditions. You will gain an understanding of various well known examples of music through practical projects and workshops with a focus on performing, composing and producing.

What will be expected of me?

Performing and composing are significant elements of the course, and you may choose which instrument (including voice) you use for each; but it is expected that you are willing to perform in front of an audience.

Each lesson will consist of a practical workshop where you should make notes that will be written up in more detail between sessions. Key aspects of each genre will be taught but there is also an expectation that you will develop your knowledge through your own research and ideas in order to reach the higher grades.

What skills will I develop?

You will develop your ability to ‘think outside the box’ and provide solutions to arts management issues. You will develop your reflection skills and be able to analyse how a product or performance/composition/recording can be improved. You will gain an understanding of the music industry and what sort of role you could be suited to. You will also gain an understanding of printed notation, what makes a ‘good’ piece of music, how technology can enhance the recording/compositional process and how to run a successful live event.

How will I be assessed?

BTEC Level 2 Technical Award in Music Practice is assessed over 3 units. Unit 1 – Exploring the Music Industry is designed to give you an understanding of various genres and styles of music, experience in a range of musical activities and a firm grounding in music theory. This is worth 30% of the course and is assessed as a diary/blog/vlog with supporting evidence such as audio/visual extracts and examples. During Unit 2 – Developing Music Skills, you will begin to specialise in 2 of the 3 areas of music (performing, creating or producing) and analyse your current skill set. You will then take on a range of projects to develop your skills culminating in the submission of a detailed diary of your progress over an extended period of time. This will make up a further 30% of your course.

The final 40% is an external assessment. You will be provided with an industry standard brief and will be expected to focus on 1 of the 3 specialisms and produce a product that will respond appropriately to the brief in 23 hours.

Where will this qualification lead me?

A good result in music shows employers and interviewers that you are creative (increasingly important in today’s society); that you can work both independently and in a group; that you can organise your time (think of the regular practice needed for success in performance!) and much, much more. Music is highly-valued as a subject for university applications.

Many students go on to A-Level or BTEC music courses and some then progress to study music at university or music college.