Music

Course Details

Awarding Body: RSL

Staff Contacts: Mrs. J. Sutton (jsutton@quarrydale.notts.sch.uk)

Key features of the course

The nature of this course is to develop and broaden a learners’ knowledge, skills, ability, interest and passion for Music.

Learners are able to tailor the course to them as an individual, choosing which specific pathway/focus they would like to follow, choosing from Performance, Technology, Composition or Business. As well as a choice of which optional units they would like to study, which cover all areas of music, from music theory and analysis to performance, to music technology, to dance, to music business.

It is a vocational qualification meaning their work always has a ‘real world’ context, allowing students to gain an understanding of where music can take them in the future.

Due to its vocational nature the course requires learners to work independently, including research, coursework, rehearsals etc.

The course requires learners to complete two compulsory core units – one externally assessed linked to the specific pathway they have chosen. The other is internally assessed looking at Careers within Music.

Entry Requirements:

Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 with at least a grade 5 in English Language.

What could this course lead on to?

Studying this course could lead learners into careers within the music industry. These could include such careers as performing, production, teaching, music therapy, music journalism etc.

In addition to music related jobs, the course develops transferable skills such as communication, research and analytical skills, collaborative and independent learning, critical reasoning as well as confidence and performance skills. All of these are vital for progression to Higher Education and employment.

Future prospects and careers

The course will support access to degree courses in Music, Music Technology and combined courses, such as Music and Psychology or Music and English. Possibly leading to one of the career areas listed above.

What type of student is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone with a passion and interest for music. It requires learners to be able to work independently, with good time management skills. The course is suitable for learners with lots of previous musical experience, including those who have studied music at KS4. However it is also suitable for those who have less musical experience because the units chosen can develop musical understanding and skills in different areas before focussing on more specialist units.

Music Practitioners complements other subjects such as Drama, Dance, Media, Art & Photography and Business etc.

Assessment Structure

It is important to understand the assessment structure of the course. What percent are the units ? Are they internally or externally assessed ? Are they exams or coursework?
MUSPRA 349
  • Planning for a Career in Music
  • Compulsory CORE
  • – Internally assessed coursework
  • – externally moderation (15 credits)
MUSPRA 387/388
  • Rehearsal Skills & Live Music Performance / Live Sound Recording & Sound Reinforcement Compulsory CORE
  • – Externally assessed coursework – brief set by exam board, complete between January & March of Yr13. (30 credits)
Mixed
  • Mixed choice of optional units covering all aspects of music depending on learner’s individual aspirations and skills.
  • Internally assessed coursework and externally moderated as a sample (45 credits in total = 50% of course)