Music Performance
Subject Leader: Miss Pappin - spappin@tqacademy.co.uk
AIMS OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
- To improve vocal and/or instrumental technique with accuracy, fluency, and expressiveness.
- To enhance creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork through musical activities.
- To build confidence and self-esteem through musical expression.
- To foster a lifelong love of music in all its forms.
MUSIC PERFORMANCE CURRICULUM
Our curriculum mountains show the content of the curriculum for each Teaching & Learning quarter for each academic year. To find out more about the curriculum, please contact the Subject Leader.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
As a Musical Futures Champion School, our Key Stage 3 curriculum is firmly grounded in the Musical Futures pedagogy. This innovative approach prioritises student choice in musical exploration and hands-on music making, a stark contrast to traditional theory-heavy programs. Students delve into music genres they're passionate about, collaborate with peers, and develop core musical skills through playing a variety of instruments and creating their own music. By the end of Key Stage 3, all students will have gained a foundational ability to play a variety of instruments, fostering a lifelong love of music in a relevant and engaging way.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
Course Title: BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Music Practice
Examining Body: Pearson
Course Lead: Miss Pappin
What will I study?
The BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Music Practice is a vocational qualification designed to give you a hands-on introduction to music and the music industry. Here's what you can expect to cover:
- Develop your musical skills: You'll learn and improve your ability to play an instrument, perform music, and potentially compose your own pieces.
- Explore music theory: This will involve studying music notation, understanding different musical genres, and being able to analyse music.
- Gain industry knowledge: You'll learn about different areas of the music industry and how it works.
- Develop transferable skills: The course will help you develop important skills like communication, teamwork, project management, and meeting deadlines.
Overall, the BTEC award is a good option if you're interested in a career in music but want to focus on the practical side of things. It will give you a strong foundation in musical skills and knowledge, as well as prepare you for further study or work in the music industry.
How and when will I be assessed?
The BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Music Practice comprises three assessed components:
Further study
If you enjoy this course then there are a number of options available to you in Sixth Form that you may wish to consider. These include:
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music (Performance)
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Music - 2 A levels
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music Technology (Production)
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM
Course Title: UAL Level 3 Diploma & Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production
Examining Body: University of the Arts, London
Course Lead: Miss Pappin
Course description
This course is designed to be as practical and hands-on as possible. You will have a wealth of performance opportunities both in our brand new, state-of-the-art theatre and publicly in the community. You will have access to industry-standard, professional equipment and the opportunity to work alongside professional practising artists.
You should choose Music Performance if you are passionate about performing in front of an audience and the wider benefits that come as a result. Our students are provided with many performance opportunities over their two years both in school and in the wider community.
There is an option to study either single music performance, double music performance and/or music technology. Many students study music full time by selecting double music performance and music technology.
What will I learn?
This course is for musicians who want to enter the music industry as performers, producers, singers/songwriters or those who want to get into a business role within the industry. You will study and develop skills in performance, production, composition, musicianship and music business, and will have the opportunity to record in our state-of-the-art recording studios.
We encourage you to learn additional instruments to your first study instrument and perform in school and at venues across the South West. Although the emphasis is on practical and performance work you will need to complete written assignments and develop your skills as an informed and reflective practitioner through evaluative logbooks and rehearsal diaries. You will learn to evaluate and comment critically on both professional work and your own creative practice, gaining insight into the wider performing arts industry through contextual and industry studies.
Course structure
The assessment of the course is entirely coursework which is internally assessed and externally verified.
Our Diploma and Extended Diploma offer equivalent UCAS points to studying 1, 2 or 3 A Levels. Topics covered can include:
- Studio recording and live sound
- Principles of music production and performance
- Critical listening and music composition in Logic Pro X
- The music industry and professional practice
- Critical and contextual awareness
- Music to motion picture
- Live streaming
- Ableton live performance and DJing
- Preparation for specialist study in music performance
- Collaborative music performance and production
- Developing music production and performance skills
- Exploration of specialist study in music production and performance
- Preparing for progression in the music industry
Where could it lead?
At Torquay Academy, we have established links to Higher Education Music institutions across the country, with a long - standing history of Music students graduating to study related courses.
CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN TO UNIVERSITY
Top 5 UK universities to study Music Performance:
- Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)
- London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM)
- British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM)
- Leeds College of Music
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
CAREERS INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss careers in this subject area, please visit our AI careers advisor by clicking the image below:
If you enjoy Music Performance you should explore the following careers:
Session Musician: Similar to studio musicians, session musicians record music for various projects like albums, films, and video games. They can specialise in specific instruments or be multi-instrumentalists. Average Salary Range: £27,299 - £80,298
Touring Musician: Travelling with a band or artist to perform live shows across the UK and potentially internationally. This role requires flexibility, stamina, and the ability to connect with audiences during energetic performances.
Salary Range: £21,000 - £45,000
Music Teacher: Inspire and educate students of all ages on the fundamentals of music. They develop lesson plans, teach students to play instruments or sing, and nurture their musical skills and appreciation.
Salary Range: £32,000 - £42,000
EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
There are many music extra curricular opportunities available to you:
- 121 instrumental and vocal lessons
- Junior Music Academy
- Senior Music Academy
- Choir
- Live Music Lunches
- Christmas Concert
- TA SummerFest (whole school music festival)
- Practice rooms available at break times and afterschool.
The Music Department in action
