Music

It is essential that you achieve a grade 6 or higher in Music and can perform to Grade 5 standard. You should also have achieved a grade 4 in English Language. It is essential that you achieve a grade 6 or higher in Music and can perform to Grade 5 standard. You should also have achieved a grade 4 in English Language.

You will study 8 Units in total over the two years with 6 mandatory units and 2 optional units.  These include:

1. Music Performance Brief
2. Music Skills Development
3. Creating a Music Product
4. Music Composition Brief
5. Professional Practice in the Music Industry
6. Music in Context
7. Optional unit
8. Optional unit

Optional units can include: Arranging Music, Composing Music, Exploring Theory and Harmony, Music Promotion, Live Music Events, Solo Performance, Music Ensembles, Session Styles & Music Software Skills

For 5 of the units you will study, you will work towards an internally set and marked assignment and the other 3 units are set and marked by the examination board.  Each assignment brief is given to students and they have to complete the work before the given deadline.

The BTEC in Music offers a wider range of topics to study at A-level and is very much linked to current music industry practice.  The course offers students the opportunity to not only develop their performance, composition and listening and analysing skills but also to go wider in studying topics such as performance technique and professional in the music industry. Skills obtained through the BTEC music course are often transferable for a young professional in a multitude of careers.

Students need a keen interest in Music to study this course and a minimum of Grade 5 level for performance skills.  Students need to be working at Grade 5 level to be able to access the performance side of the course.  Due to the nature of the course, students need to be very organised to be able to meet assignment deadlines.  As a music student at Samuel Ryder Academy, students are expected to also take part in extra-curricular ensembles and perform in & run multiple concerts.

Music can offer a variety of career paths these include routes into higher education or into the world of work.   This course offers students the opportunity to develop confidence and communication skills which are qualities employers look for in many jobs.

An application form can be obtained from the Head of Sixth From h.potter@samuelryderacademy.co.uk . Once your application has been processed you will be invited to discuss your subject choices with the Head of Sixth Form.