BTEC National Diploma Music (POP)
2 Years: Equivalent to 3 A-Levels
View Admission Requirements here
This qualification gives students the opportunity to study popular music within a broad musical curriculum. Students will develop musical skills for both the workplace and higher education.
Units studied may include:
The Sound and Music Industry
This unit takes an in-depth look at the workings of the music industry. The unit is supported by a wide variety of guest lecturers from all aspects of the industry. It will also help you develop your career aspirations and understand the working conditions within different areas of the music industry as well as copyright law and royalty collection agencies.
The Music Freelance World
This unit has been written to give learners an understanding of the freelance way of life within the performing arts industry. You will cover areas such as financial management, entrepreneurial skills and self development.
Music in Society/Pop Music in Practice
Delivered together over two years, you will develop a knowledge of the different periods and styles of popular music, and will learn about these in a historical and social context.
Music Theory and Harmony
This unit is designed to give students theoretical knowledge to apply in practical situations such as rehearsals and performances. In addition, the unit gives students the necessary language for copying, transcribing, composing and arranging music.
Listening Skills for Musicians
In this unit, you will improve your sense of pitch, rhythm and harmonic awareness.
Aural Perception Skills
Studying this unit involves listening to many different kinds of music and recognising the sounds, instrumentation, melody, chords and students of various musical styles, forms and orchestration and will be able to relate
them to their own area of interest.
Music Performance Techniques
This unit is delivered through individual tuition on your instrument or voice and through structured ensemble performance studies. The unit is delivered over both years of the programme.
Working & Developing as a Musical Ensemble
This practical unit explores the nature of ensemble work by allowing students
to become part of a musical ensemble concentrating on the process of a team working together to produce a musicallyand artistically satisfying result.
Special Subject Investigation
This unit provides the opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation into a personally selected aspect of music. Project management skills and academic writing skills are developed in this unit, helping you to prepare for both HE and the workplace.
Music Performance Session Styles
The unit provides an opportunity for students to engage with performances of different styles and genres in the same way that a session musician would be employed to perform a range of music.
Composing and Arranging Music/Working with Music Notation Software (delivered together over 2 years)
In this unit, you will be able to develop and apply skills in composition. It involves writing and recording music for acoustic and/or electronic instruments. You will also develop skills in using music notation software.
Planning a Music Project
Throughout this unit, students will explore the challenges of planning and evaluating a substantial live performance project.
Major Music Project (Double Unit)
In a group, students will create and promote a substantial live music event. The group will face the same issues and demands as any commercially successful band.
Options
Students choose one of the following options in the second year:
MIDI Sequencing and Software
In this unit students will concentrate on the creation of a portfolio of music using the tools available within major sequencing software packages. Students will work with.
MIDI and audio based sequencing, each of which has a vast range of techniques that can be utilised in the production of modern music.
Sound Recording Techniques
This unit will take learners through the process of sound recording; the ‘recording chain’ as it has been called. Starting with the capture of sounds into the recorder, learners will then balance and mix sounds before finally producing the stereo master recording.
The Functional Musical Keyboard
On completion of this unit, students who have not played the keyboard or piano before will be familiar with a keyboard and how it is played.
Improvising Music
These units will enable you to acquire and develop effective improvisation skills and understanding of musical forms.
Admission Requirements
Minimum Age
The minimum age at the time of enrolment for Further Education courses is normally 16 as stated in the Edexcel Programme Specifications. There is no upper age limit on entry.
Qualifications
A minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade A*– C) including English Language and Maths.
Your practical ability should be a standard equivalent to ABRSM Grade V, with the potential to achieve Grade VIII within two years. Your music theory understanding should be a standard equivalent to ABRSM Grade III.
Audition
At your audition you will be asked to play two contrasting pieces on your principal instrument, and some scales and arpeggios. You will also sit a short theory paper.
All students who apply before 31 January are guaranteed an audition.
If English is not your first language you must have a British Council English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.5.
Additional Qualifications
Music Exams
All students will study London College of Music Popular Music Theory at the appropriate grade. In addition students may work towards graded practical exams.
Skills for Life
Students will take an appropriate Skills for Life qualification in IT, Literacy and Numeracy dependent on their qualifications on entry.
