Music performance (Group)

Course summary

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. BTEC Music lessons are practically orientated; performance underpins everything we do in lessons. Much time is spent in lessons on solo and ensemble performance whilst 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 a suite of practice rooms which can be used for private practice, instrumental and vocal teaching and developing composition ideas. In addition, we create compositions using several industry-standard notation software packages and digital audio workstations. Student performances take place around the college and within the local community. Trips to see professional concerts, musicals, and universities are arranged throughout the year. In addition, professional musicians and speakers regularly visit the college to talk to our students.