In S3 the curriculum is split into two distinct courses: Music and Music Technology. Pupils can choose to continue their studies in either or both of these courses.
Throughout the years of S3-S6 pupils will develop skills in the following three areas:
Music technology skills:
- Creative use of music technology hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio.
- Using appropriate audio input devices
- Applying microphone placement techniques
- Constructing the signal path for multiple inputs
- Setting input gain and monitoring levels
- Overdubbing and editing tracks
- Equalisation
- Time domain and other effects
- Mixing techniques
Music technology contexts:
- Capture and manipulate audio and sequenced data
- Mix down to an audio master in appropriate file format
- Create projects in a range of contexts such as live performance, radio broadcast, composing and/or sound design for film, audiobooks and computer gaming.
Understanding of 20th and 21st century music:
- Styles and genres of music
- How music technology has influenced and been influenced by developments
- Aspects of the music industry, including a basic awareness of the implications of intellectual property rights
- Listening skills, enabling them to identify a range of genres and styles and their main attributes, and relevant music concepts
Senior Phase (S4 – S6)
The music department offers courses in Music Technology (Nat 3, Nat 4, Nat 5 & Higher). There are two assessed elements to the courses:
Assignment:
The candidate should demonstrate their ability to plan, implement and evaluate creative production(s). This includes, selecting and using mics correctly, applying processes, effects and other mixing techniques to create a final audio master. Candidates are also expected to fully document their projects.
Understanding Music:
Listening exam that covers knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century styles and genres of music and how this relates to the development of music technology.
