Music Performance BTEC Level 3

Curriculum Intent

To encourage learners to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge.  We enable learners to explore performance and composition with a focus on their own instrument and genre choices and offer opportunities to explore new instrumental skills.

Why should I study Music Performance?

The UK music industry helps to drive economic growth by creating jobs and opportunities for young people. The 2015 UK music survey ‘Measuring Music’ identified that the music industry supported more than 117,000 full-time jobs in the UK, of which 69,300 were professional musicians. The music industry contributed £4.1 billion to the UK economy, outpacing the overall growth of the economy by 2.5 per cent. In 2016, live music alone created £3.7 billion in direct and indirect income for the UK.

This course is designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels. The programme gives a broad overview of the music sector, with a focus on performance, including musical skills development and professional practice.

What skills will I gain?

This qualification gives learners transferable and higher-order skills that are valued by higher education providers and employers. For example, communication, performance and teamwork skills, as well as personal vocal/instrumental technique development are some of the skills learners need to progress to higher education, employment, self-employment or training.

The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses, if it is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, and it combines well with a large number of subjects. It will support entry to higher education courses in a wide range of disciplines, depending on the subjects taken alongside it.

What career paths is Music Performance suitable for?

This course is useful if you are considering a career in:

• Primary, Secondary or Higher Education
• Music Performance
• The Music Industry, Promotion, Management and/or Publishing
• Journalism/Radio

For learners who wish to study an aspect of music in higher education, opportunities include:

• BA (Hons) in Music or Popular Music
• BA (Hons) in Performing Arts, if taken alongside an A Level in English Literature and a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts
• BA (Hons) in Music Industry Management, if taken alongside a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business
• BA (Hons) in Music Business and Arts Management, if taken alongside a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business and an A Level in Art

Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers.

Course outline

This is a two-year course, which leads to a national qualification recognised by employers. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level consisting of four units. The content for each unit is:

• Unit 1: Practical Music Theory and Harmony
• Unit 2: Professional Practice in the Music Industry
• Unit 3: Ensemble Music Performance.

You can then choose from either:

• Unit 4: Composing music
• Unit 5: Music performance session styles
• Unit 6: Solo Performance.

Entry requirements

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above; including English and/or maths.
• National data suggests successful students will have achieved an average points score of 4.0 or more.