The Music Practitioner course is a vocational, unit based qualification which offers students the chance to learn a diverse range of music industry skills. The qualification is Level 2 based (equivalent to a GCSE) with the opportunity to cover subjects such as performing, composing, music technology and music business. The course is coursework based with no end of course written exam.
In addition to classroom based music lessons, you will have a free 20-minute instrumental/singing lesson with one of our peripatetic music teachers once a week during term-time.
Units for 2019-2021
Performers:
- Year 10: 201ta Musical Knowledge (PowerPoint)
- Year 10: 204ta Instrumental Study
- Year 11: 202ta Live Music Performance (External Core – Controlled Assessment)
Composers:
- Year 10: 201ta Musical Knowledge (PowerPoint)
- Year 10: 205ta Composing Music
- Year 11: 203ta – Music Sequencing & Production (External Core – Controlled Assessment)
What is the RSL Level 2 Music Practitioners Course?
At the start of the course, students choose one of two pathways; Performing or Composing. In Year 10, all pupils study one 4- credit research based unit “Music Style Development” and one 8-credit practical unit according to their chosen pathway; performers study “Music Rehearsal Skills“, composers study “Composing Music (Style)“. Information on these units are written below.
At the end of Year 11 pupils will have completed the full 20-credits to gain a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to a GCSE). Pupils create blogs to show their knowledge and progress and upload recordings for their performances or compositions.
How am I graded at the end of the course?
Pupils are awarded either Fail, Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
What are the different units that I will study?
In Year 10:
- Performing pathway – Music Rehearsal Skills (8-credits): Skills for rehearsal, vocal/instrumental technical skills, health & safety, communication skills, analytical skills, organisational skills. You will gain knowledge and skills in how to rehearse effectively for a specific music performance, as well as identifying your strengths and areas for development. This unit prepares you as a performer for your examined performance unit in Year 11 by performing a 10-15 minute rehearsed set.
- Composing pathway – Composing Music (Style) (8-credits): Contextual knowledge of musical genre, compositional skills and techniques, practical knowledge of music theory and harmony, use of compositional software, and music score production. You will improve your compositional skills by understanding and analysing the compositional conventions of a chosen musical style, leading to an original composition written by you in your chosen genre.
- All Pathways – Music Style Development (4-credits): Analytical skills, research skills, communication skills, ICT skills. Regardless of your chosen pathway, you will describe the evolution of a distinct musical style, incorporating the sub-styles that have evolved from the umbrella style/genre.
In Year 11:
- Performing pathway – Live Music Performance (8 credits): This is a core, externally assessed, unit based on a brief released by RSL in December. You will have to perform 15 minutes of suitable music performed live. This can be either solo, as a group, with backing tracks, or a combination of these.
- Composing pathway – Composing Music (Solo) (8 credits): This core, externally assessed, unit based on a brief released by RSL in December. You will have to compose 15 minutes worth of compositions to be played through speakers during a live event.
What will I have to do?
In Year 10:
- Performers: Perform three to four songs, performed live and recorded (lasting between 10-15 minutes in total) by December. These will be marked with RSL Certificate criteria and fed back for further development. You will have updated your blog diary entries and information for assessment and feedback.
- Composers: Write one original composition (lasting between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 3 minutes) submitted by December. This will be marked with RSL Certificate criteria and fed back for further development. You will have updated your blog diary entries and information for assessment and feedback.
- All students: A research outline and detailed notes of your chosen musical genre, to be developed and completed by the end of the year. This will be marked with RSL Certificate criteria and fed back for further development.
In Year 11:
- Performers: A completed and recorded performance set lasting 15 minutes submitted at the time of the live event, as the final submission with completed blog entries reflecting on the process and your progress.
- Composers: A set of complete recorded compositions lasting 15 minutes submitted at the time of the live event, as the final submission with completed blog entries reflecting on the process and your progress.
- All Students: A completed PowerPoint presentation detailing the history and development of your chosen musical genre.
RSL Unit Documentation
- 202 – Composing Music (Style)
- 203 – Composing Music (Solo) – External Assessment
- 208 – Music Style Development
- 209 – Listening to Music
- 222 – Music Sequencing and Production
- 223 – Live Sound Recording – External Assessment
- 229 – Music Rehearsal Skills
- 230 – Live Music Performance – External Assessment
- 233 – Instrumental Study
Unit Pages