Builth Wells High School

Music department - AS & A2 Music Technology

| back to Music | For more detailed information on the AS / A2 course please refer to the course handbook. (520KB pdf)

Course outline

Year 12	Year 13
Autumn Term • Introduction to Pro Tools (Main music production software used for producing coursework) • Introduction to recording techniques • Micing and recording instruments group tasks • D.I. Bass & Keys • Basic mic techniques and types • Introduction to sequencing • Keyboard skills assessment • Key terms for listening • Blues, Jazz & 1950s listening • Coursework hours start • Sequencing and recording • Continue with listening • Insert and send effects	Autumn Term • Advanced use of effects • 3C Draft in by half term break and final by end of term • MIDI Extension tasks • Advanced audio processing • Synthesis 1 • 3A start • Sequencing tasks
Spring Term • Arranging Task to be handed in at the end of term • Listening 1960s,70s & 80s onwards • Special focus listening styles 1 & 2	Spring Term • Synthesis 2 • Mixing focus • 3A hand-in • Exam preparation • Listening
Summer Term • Coursework completion • Sample questions and essays in preparation for listening exam (IN PREPARATION FOR A2) • Composing. Motif structure, contrast and development. Short tasks. • Task 3B – Recording. Research and focused listening.	Summer Term • Exam preparation

Homework

Frequency

Year 12	Year 13
• Pupils should use free periods to practise using the Music Technology equipment in school. • If development is needed on Keyboard skills then this will need to be practised every day. • Most weeks a research task will be set. • Weekly listening task.	• Pupils should use free periods to practise using the Music Technology equipment in school. • If development is needed on Keyboard skills then this will need to be practised every day. • Most weeks a research task will be set. • Weekly listening task.

Likely forms that homework will take

Year 12	Year 13
• Keyboard skills practise • Pro Tools techniques/production techniques practise • Research of musical styles/key artists from particular musical styles • Research of recording/production/sequencing techniques • Listening tasks	• Keyboard skills practise • Pro Tools techniques/production techniques practise • Research of musical styles/key artists from particular musical styles • Research of recording/production/sequencing techniques • Listening tasks • Practise for the exam questions

Student Grouping

Year 12	Year 13
Pupils choose music as one of their options. Pupils are taught in a mixed ability group.	Pupils choose music as one of their options. Pupils are taught in a mixed ability group.

Assessment Pattern

Year 12

Year 13

• Pupils are assessed on their keyboard skills towards the start of the term.
• A weekly listening task is set and assessed every week.
• Coursework is informally assessed and peer assessed on a weekly basis as Students listen to each other’s work and comment and suggest improvements (each pupil is given a copy of the assessment criteria).
• Coursework will be handed in for draft assessment and feedback before the final submissions.

• Short tasks which begin the course are all marked and feedback will be given.
• A weekly listening task is set and assessed every week.
• Coursework is informally assessed and peer assessed on a weekly basis as Students listen to each other’s work and comment and suggest improvements (each pupil is given a copy of the assessment criteria).
• Coursework will be handed in for draft assessment and feedback before final submissions.
• Exam preparation will involve assessed mock exam papers.

Marking and Grading of Work

Year 12	Year 13
• All assessment criteria from the EDEXCEL exam board are provided in Pupil’s handbook. • All assessment of coursework tasks (informal and formal) will be against the EDEXCEL assessment criteria for each task. • All assessment of listening and short tasks will be against the Basic Mark-scheme which is again provided for pupils in their handbooks.	• All assessment criteria from the EDEXCEL exam board are provided in Pupil’s handbook. • All assessment of coursework tasks (informal and formal) will be against the EDEXCEL assessment criteria for each task. • All assessment of listening and short tasks will be against the Basic Mark-scheme which is again provided for pupils in their handbooks.

How can you help your child?

Year 12	Year 13
• Ensure they have internet access • Buy them an MBox Mini with pro tools to practise on	• Ensure they have internet access • Buy them an MBox Mini with pro tools to practise on

For more detailed information on the AS / A2 course please refer to the course handbook. (520KB pdf)

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