Music Technology is a relatively new subject to the Performing Arts faculty, and we are extremely passionate about the opportunities it has given our young people so far.
Please see our course descriptors for S3, N5 and Higher.
BGE
In S1-3 Music Technology pupils are given the opportunity to record and manipulate sound through a plethora of tasks ranging from sound design for video games to podcasts. This subject requires a lot of independent work which allows pupils creative freedom and personalisation
National 5
For National 5, candidates are required to record and mix a radio show and an audiobook, where a number of creative and technical criteria serve as a guide. This element of the course is worth 70%. The remaining 30% is gained through a listening paper. Pupils will be assessed on their knowledge of 20th and 21st century music, technological developments, intellectual property and music technology effects.
Higher
For Higher Music technology, our young people develop their skills both practically and through greater understanding of music styles, genres and developments of the 20th and 21st century. Similar to National 5, candidates are required to complete two separate assignments, one of which must be a multitrack where pupils will use their practical music skills to record a song or piece of instrumental music. This segment will be merged into the second assignment which can either be sound design for a game, foley for film or a radio show. Pupils are given the freedom to choose the context they will work on throughout the year and submit to the SQA. Again, like National 5, the remaining 30% of the final grade is a listening paper with the possibility for a greater amount of musical and technological concepts.
