BTEC First Diploma in Music

BTEC First Diploma in Music
This one year vocational course can be taken alongside GCSE, NCFE or other level 2 subjects and is equivalent to 4 GCSEs. It is a practical course based on popular music, where you will be assessed on both live performances and written assignments. Students will learn techniques appropriate to their instruments including solo and ensemble playing, music technology and the music business.

What does the course consist of?
Business Units

• Exploring the music profession
• Planning and creating a music product

Music Technology Units

• Exploring computer music systems

Performance Units

• Solo musical performance
• Rehearsal techniques
• Working as a musical ensemble

You will also receive free instrumental tuition on your main instrument.

What else do I need to know?
The School of Music is housed in a purpose-built suite of rooms. The main teaching room is also used for recitals and rehearsals. It is linked by sight and sound to the recording studio next door which has its own sound proof live room. There is a smaller teaching room which is also used for instrumental teaching and chamber music. Five practice rooms, an office and two rooms equipped with music computer technology complete the music facilities. The School of Music houses a large collection of books, scores and recorded sound. There is a considerable library of choral, instrumental, chamber and piano music. We have 33 Apple Mac computers with Sibelius 5 for score writing and Logic Pro 8 for sequencing. Equipment includes a mixing desk, sampler, compressor, DAT machine, CD writers, two 4-track minidisc recorders and four 8-track recorders and the technology facilities are being continually developed. We also have six pianos and a harpsichord. The department's acoustic, electric and bass guitars and drum kits are popular with many students.

• Music is considered as a serious academic qualification for any degree at university.
• Music is a perfect foil for the science subjects (Maths, Physics and Music is a common combination). Music also combines happily with the Arts, Humanities and Languages.
• Qualifications in Music lead to careers in performance, sound recording engineering (you must normally have Mathematics, Physics and Music A Levels), teaching (Music is a National Curriculum subject), the "music business" (Electronics or Physics are useful), arts administration and music journalism.
• Masterclasses with professional musicians are arranged in conjunction with the Turner Sims Concert Hall. Composers and instrumentalists visit the college for workshops and lectures.
• Instrumental lessons can be arranged through the college with our visiting tutors.
• Students taking Performance courses are entitled to 10 free half-hour instrumental lessons per term.
• You will need your own musical instrument for practice.
• Teaching groups are typically around 15-20 students.
• Students leaving Taunton's progress to the major music colleges and universities.
• This is a high achieving department and one of the biggest in the country. It is regarded as a "centre of excellence".