Subject Intent: Why Music?
Music pervades life and is all-encompassing. The Music curriculum helps students develop, engages them creatively and challenges them in an intellectual sense. We intend to unlock our students' potential through Music and instil a genuine love of the subject through listening, composition, performing and analysing music from a wide range of styles and cultures helping students develop a greater sense of appreciation of the power of music throughout the world. It supports the development of a range of transferable skills such as, communication, memory skills, creativity, collaboration and problem solving that students can employ in their next steps whether that be Higher Education or employment.
What will I study?
- Practical music theory and harmony (mandatory)
- Professional practice in the music industry (mandatory and externally marked). This is a written task that has to be completed in two weeks.
- Ensemble music performance (mandatory and externally marked). This is a task set by the exam board and will be completed within a set time frame.
Music
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
BTEC Music lessons are practically orientated; performance underpins everything we do in lessons. Much time is spent in lessons on solo performance and ensemble performance and developing the
skills to be a good all-round performer. Unit 1 focuses on the theoretical side of music and how important it is to understand the music we perform. Unit 2 considers how the music industry works and particularly how to plan and take charge of a large music event.
We have 6 practice rooms which can be used for private practice and ensemble work. Sibelius 8 is used to notate compositions and a number of online packages are used to check theoretical learning. Student performances take place around college, particularly in the Drama Studio, Dance Studio and Foyer. Trips to professional concerts, musicals, recording studios take place annually and contact with professional musicians take place in person or through Teams meetings.
What our
students
This course is perfect for you if you’re wanting to not only create and play music, but also learn about the surrounding industry and how it operates. Music really is a place where I am able to express myself with like-minded people and have so much fun doing so, which is why it’s my favourite subject!
Grace McVeigh, Darton Academy
