Music Course Handbook
Music Courses Overview
Level 2 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners (one year) Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners (year 1) Extended Diploma for Music Practitioners (year 2)
Music Practitioners qualifications are for learners who want to develop their skills in the core elements of the Music Industry. These fully accredited qualifications are a real alternative for learners who aren't inspired by GCSE, A-Level and BTEC options.
The qualifications are developed with Access to Music and industry professionals so that they are relevant to the current dynamics of the Music Industry. Music Practitioners qualifications are uniquely designed to have one core unit and an expansive choice of optional units in order to build a practical qualification that is specifically tailored to the learners’ strengths.
Content and Structure Level 2 – Minimum of 64 credits Level 3 – Minimum of 90 credits (per year) Whether L2 or L3, your course is designed to ensure you achieve more than enough credits to achieve your qualification and also allows you some flexibility to focus on your preferred areas of study such as performing, composing or technology. Your course is broken down into various units that provide you a very broad range of skills required to pursue a career in the music industry. These range from performing, composing, instrument skills, recording, music for film, business/industry, lyric writing, rehearsal skills, improvisation, promotion etc
Content and Structure Your course will be enriched with additional content delivered by your tutors according to their subject specialisms. Weekly ensembles also take place which provide further opportunities to develop rehearsal and performance skills. The content of these range from Samba percussion to Rock to Drum and Bass. You will be provided with live performance opportunities every half term (approx 6 weeks) in shows at the college and in various live music venues in the area. Acoustic lunchtime performances (Culture CafĂŠ) take place in the student common room on a monthly basis.
Music Course Assessment The work you create will be submitted to relevant units via a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) called Moodle. Assessment evidence could include: • • • • • • • • •
Videos of performances Practical work Recordings Written work Presentations Journals Notation Research Interviews
Music Course Assessment Every task for each unit will be marked either pass, merit or distinction. If a piece of work is not to a sufficient standard it will be marked as unclassified. There will be a specific deadline for every task. Your tutors will monitor the progress of your work and will provide all the support they can to keep you on track. Your feedback and grades for tasks/units is provided via Moodle. You will be given clear feedback on how to improve a grade in a given timeframe and will be allowed one re-sub per task. Unit credits vary from 5, 10 and 15 and tally up to make your final course grade Rockschool Course Grades/UCAS Points
Code of Conduct We, the music team, agree to the following: • • • • • •
To provide a positive and supportive environment for you to work in. To treat you with respect To ensure that lessons are well-planned and learner-focused. To ensure that work handed in on time will be marked and returned as soon as possible. To deliver the course to the best of our ability Using appropriate procedures, to take all reasonable action to resolve any grievances, conflicts or problems that are brought to our notice. • To endeavour to work with you to understand the causes of problems relating to attendance, punctuality and the meeting of deadlines and to provide support in the form of differentiation in class, one to one tutorials and learning support (where appropriate).
Code of Conduct The Do’s (some of them!):
The Don'ts (a few of them!) :
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Be punctual Maintain attendance over 90% Attend the whole session Treat each other with respect Treat the equipment with respect Report any faulty or damaged equipment Meet deadlines Organise and backup your work Keep rehearsal rooms tidy Return equipment after use Actively engage in all tasks
No plagiarism No unnecessary use of phones in class No bullying No food or drink in class No foul language
The Music Team Contact Colin Seddon – cseddon@cityplym.ac.uk Tony Toller – ttoller@cityplym.ac.uk Dan Solly – dsolly@cityplym.ac.uk Simon Westaway – swestaway@cityplym.ac.uk David Jaycock - djaycock@cityplym.ac.uk Stuart Bennett – sbennett@cityplym.ac.uk We’re here to help! Office phone - 01752305085