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Unit 1 | Exploring Music

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Exploration and experimentation are vital to making music in the music industry. In this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore music through practical workshops and activities that allow you to experiment with different techniques for making music.

Unit 1: Exploring Music and Unit 2: Professional Development have been designed to be delivered alongside each other to provide employment context to the practical/technical workshops. Through experimenting with various musical styles and techniques, you will develop technical skills and learn to appreciate the creative value of making mistakes – an important aspect of the creative process. The unit will introduce you to new musical styles and it is important to be open-minded and willing to try things out – a valued attribute in music professionals. You will collaborate through group projects and learn the value of sharing ideas and working with fellow learners, taking you in new directions and building your communication skills and ability to work in a team.

You will be encouraged to develop skills and knowledge specific to your own musical starting points, which relate to your own career aspirations in the music industry.


Unit 2 | Professional Development

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The music industry is an exciting, challenging and highly competitive industry. It is essential that anyone wishing to pursue a career in this industry carefully considers their own personal and professional development, exploring what the music industry has to offer in terms of possible careers.

In this unit, you will identify career opportunities available in the industry and the most likely careers for your professional development needs. You will reflect on the general skills required within the music industry, such as communication, organisation and teamwork. You will gather this information using a skills audit and use this, alongside the findings of your investigations into career paths, to design a professional development plan that identifies and supports your career aspirations. This unit has been designed to be delivered alongside Unit 1: Exploring Music to provide employment context to the practical/technical workshops.

This unit will help you to develop an awareness of the occupations within the music industry and the skills required. It will support your own career aspirations and progression in the music industry.


Unit 4 | Music Performance

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Music performance is one of the most exciting and lucrative areas of the music industry. Performing onstage as a soloist or as part of a band in front of an audience can be one of the most rewarding and thrilling experiences for any musician.

In this unit, you will develop the skills required to give a successful performance, exploring potential repertoire and learning how to select appropriate musical material for performance.
You will learn how to develop and refine the pieces you select by taking part in effective rehearsals, eventually presenting the results of your rehearsals to an audience in a live performance.

There are many employment opportunities for successful performers in the areas of live performance, session music, musical theatre, community music and commercial bands. This unit will also lay the foundations for studying music performance at Level 3.


Unit 5 - Music Production/Unit 3 - Creating Music

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Have you ever wanted to learn how to utilise the key skills and techniques required to edit, record, manipulate and arrange your own music project? Are you interested in furthering your understanding of the overall production processes involved in presenting a music product?
If so, then developing your understanding of a DAW environment, with its far-reaching options, is essential in taking the next steps.

In this unit, you will build on the knowledge and skills developed in Unit 1: Exploring Music and Unit 2: Professional Development. You will continue to progress your technical and musical skills using a DAW while exploring how its functions can assist you in creating and managing a music project, from initial recordings and musical ideas through to the final product.

The ability to use a DAW and manage a music project effectively are central to many roles within the music industry. This unit will provide core knowledge for progression to professional areas, including recording studios, composing, post-production, sound design and games.


Unit 7 | Self-promotion in the Music Industry

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Developing a career in the music industry requires you to demonstrate your skills and achievements as well as your professional behaviour. Developing and presenting a body of work provides opportunities for strong personal branding and showcasing your skills.

In this unit, you will build on the knowledge and skills you have developed on the programme
and identify and refine key strengths. You will include biographical content and recorded examples of your work, presenting music that showcases a consistent application of relevant skills. You will collate your work history, learning how to organise information and developing the presentation skills expected by the industry. By engaging with local and digital networks, you will demonstrate an appreciation of the professional behaviour expected in the music industry.

Your promotional material will act as a key personal marketing tool, supporting your progression towards a career in the music industry through further practice or development in further education or training. This unit gives you the opportunity to present your work, share ideas with others and take on board supportive feedback.


Unit 8 | Music Project

Self enrolment

A vital skill for any musician is the ability to explore, develop and present music in response to a brief. In this unit, you will work to a brief and apply the skills you have learned throughout your course to develop a music product. The brief will allow you to work to your strengths and interests and you will focus on music creation, performance, production or recording.

You will begin by exploring the brief and investigating possible responses and ideas to meet the brief’s demands. Using various resources, techniques and processes, you will then develop and refine musical material before presenting your music product.

The music industry needs employees who are creative. Being able to generate original ideas and undertake creative processes to develop a successful outcome are vital for working successfully in the music industry. This unit gives you a context for you to showcase the creativity, knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your course.