Music – EDUQAS Level 2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts

Why study Music?    

Music is an invaluable subject which offers not only a qualification to its student but lifelong transferable skills, amazing opportunities, and memories to all those who choose to study it. Through Music you will build your confidence by performing on your chosen instrument and/or voice to live audiences, with the option of performing solo or in bands with your choice of songs; often performing in unique venues around the school site.  You have access to industry quality gear such as a suite of iMacs using Logic Pro X to compose music, and the recording studio to record. Music is an intense, yet a highly rewarding subject at GCSE level. Students who thrive in Music often, can play an instrument or sing to a good level, enjoy practical work, enjoy creating and enjoy listening to music.   

What content is studied?  

We study EDUQAS Level 2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts syllabus, with us following the Music route. This provides students with the key skills associated with Music, as well as a variety of transferable skills, such as planning, analysing, and evaluating. The course provides a solid basis for students to continue Performing Music at A-Level. The course is split into theory and practical components, with an even split of both theory and practical work.    

What content is covered?	How is it assessed?
Unit 1  Performing	Within this unit students look at performing from a holistic view, with the main aim of them preparing for a gig to a live audience by building a set list of varying songs as either a soloist, part of band or a mixture of both. Please note any instrument or style of music is accepted.   Unit 1 places a key emphasis on the importance of research in preparation for a performance. Students will learn the importance of credible referencing, as well as the importance of copyright law, and health & safety laws; and the importance of them as key transferable life skills. Students will learn the value of rehearsal, and why self-evaluation is critical in the creative process, before performing their piece of choice in front of a live audience.	Unit 1 is assessed on three learning outcomes:   Research & Rehearsal   Performance   Review and Reflect   This unit is internally assessed through controlled assessment with 60 marks available for this unit.  Overall, this unit equates to 30% of the student’s overall GCSE grade.
Unit 2  Creating	Unit 2 acts as the natural extension to Unit 1, with students learning how to respond creatively to a set brief. Students’ practical skills are tested vigorously, with the expectation of being able to compose music using Logic Pro X. Students will be required to delve into varying styles of music and understanding key musical techniques and musical elements and showcasing this through their composition and accompanying written work.	Unit 2 is assessed on three learning outcomes:    Explore and Develop   Applying knowledge and skills to create original work.    Review, reflect and refine.    This unit is internally assessed through controlled assessment with 60 marks available for this unit. Overall, this unit equates to 30% of the students overall GCSE grade.
Unit 3  Performing Arts in Practice	Unit 3 is the concluding unit of the course. Unit 3 provides students with the opportunity to plan, develop, and commission a festival in line with real industry commissions. Students will not only need to be good artists, but also savvy businesspeople, who understand the importance of, business management, marketing practices, and leadership qualities that are vital for a successful career in the arts. The unit focusses heavily on providing students with the tools to run their own business within the creative industry and reflecting on the success of their festival on completion.	Unit 3 is assessed on three learning outcomes:   Planning Performance Work   Promoting and Pitching    Evaluating and Reflecting    This unit is externally assessed through controlled assessment with 80 marks awarded for this unit. Overall, this unit equates to 40% of the students overall GCSE grade.