Music technology

A Level                     

WATCH THE VIDEO TO FIND OUT ABOUT STUDYING MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO START THE COURSE

Ability to read music and a basic level of keyboard skill is recommended

4 or above in GCSE music or BTEC music is desirable but not essential

YEAR 12 COURSE SPECIFICATION

Unit 1

Component 1 Recording – students use the recording studio to record and mix a 2 minute track from a list of ten artists (e.g.  All of Me, John Legend)

Component 2 Technology-based Composition – compose a 2 1/2 minute long piece of music in any style, using synthesizers and audio excerpts provided by the exam board.

Component 3 (25%) Listening – students listen to unfamiliar commercial recordings, assessing knowledge of the history of music production from 1950s until present day with emphasis upon principles of music technology.

Component 4 (35%) Producing and Analysing – students are given a selection of audio and midi tracks to edit and mix on music software.

YEAR 13 COURSE SPECIFICATION

Unit 3

Component 1 (20%) Recording

Students develop their mixing skills so as to record a longer track – 3 minutes.

Component 2 (20%) Technology-based Composition

Students develop their composing and technology skills so as compose a longer (3 minute) piece of music technology based on a more demanding brief set by the exam board e.g. War or Outer Space.

Component 3 (25%) Listening

Students broaden their listening skills with a greater range of unfamiliar commercial recordings, assessing knowledge of the history of music production from the 1950s until present day, with emphasis upon principles of music technology.

Component 4 (35%) Producing and Analysing

Students develop their skills of editing and mixing on music software for a selection of audio and midi tracks. The theory and physics of sound are studied so as to develop this understanding. Note that this component includes some basic numeracy.

LEARNING AND SKILLS

Students will have opportunities to:

* Learn the skills required to be a producer or sound engineer

* Edit audio and sequence MIDI

* Record live audio

* Play instruments in a studio environment

* Produce CDs

* Compose using music technology

* Students will also have opportunities to build understanding of the technical processes and principles that underpin effective use of music technology.

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

 EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

FUTURE PROSPECTS 

Students can go on to study music technology, music, and creative music technology at a range of universities nationally. This can lead to careers in the music industry such as a musician, live sound engineer, composer, recording engineer and producer as well as support roles in the industry such as marketing, promotion and event management. Students who have a keen interest in music technology but have career aspirations that do not involve music technology can also choose to take this to complement a combination of more traditional A levels.

 Click here to learn more about Music Technology at William Ellis School