Creative and Performing Arts - Music
Music is core in society all around the globe with millions of pounds being spent every day on Downloads and Concerts. It also contributes millions of pounds to the UK economy as part of the Creative industries, the sector currently experiencing the largest growth. Where does that money go and ‘who gets what’? In the RSL Music Practitioner course you will look at the different areas of the Music Industry, how it works and how it affects the music we buy and listen to. You will study key areas of the Music Industry such as Performance Skills, Recording Techniques, Radio Production, Event Management, as well as Artist Management and PA set-up. If you have a passion for any type of Music it can also lead you into further study or a career within an Arts-Related Industry.
Studying music can give you a great mix of social, technical and business skills, which can all help in acquiring the seven skills that define employability; put together in the working towards your future joint report by the National Union of Students and the Confederate of British Industry. Not to mention discipline, composure under pressure, time management, communication, team and individual working ability - all gained from practice and performing. You might also learn technical skills through using computers, equipment and software to create and record music
The RSL course is broken down into a number of units, each awarded a number of ‘Credits’. This further breaks down into ‘Core’ units (that have to be studied) and ‘Optional’ units. Evidence is gathered through practical tasks that are then evaluated through a number of different formats.
For the Level 3 ‘Subsidiary Diploma’ you will study over two years to accumulate 90 credits total as follows:
- MusPra387 – Rehearsal Skills and Live Music Performance (‘Core’ Project Unit – graded by RSL Examiner) – 30 credits
- MusPra349 – Planning a Career in Music (‘Core’ Unit - graded by KSA Music staff, moderated by RSL) – 15 Credits
- MusPra362 – Lead Performer (‘Optional’ Unit - graded by KSA Music staff, moderated by RSL) – 10 Credits
- MusPra353 – Music Event management (‘Optional’ Unit - graded by KSA Music staff, moderated by RSL) – 15 Credits
- MusPra375 – Radio/Podcast production (‘Optional’ Unit - graded by KSAMusic staff, moderated by RSL) – 10 Credits
- MusPra318 – Listening to Music (‘Optional’ Unit - graded by KSA Music staff, moderated by RSL) – 10 Credits
There are also other modules that may be possible including those related to careers in Music Technology, the Music Industry, Lighting, Composing and Dance that it may be possible to study. There is also a possibility of a Music Technology route.
The Music Practitioner Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma is included in the new Technical Baccalaureate (TechBacc).
With an RSL vocational qualification as a music practitioner you will be able to apply for higher level Music or Music Technology-related courses (such as RSL or BTEC Level 4/5) or, alternatively, it will give you the required skills to look into initial employment or apprenticeships within the Music or Technical Theatre Industry.
It will also provide you with the National Occupational Standards relating to:
- Community Arts
- Cultural Venue Operations
- Live Events and Promotion
- Music Business (Record Labels)
- Technical Theatre
The ability to study music is considered ‘multi-disciplinary’ and so offers so much more than just Music itself. It requires the ability to think creatively as well as both independently and with others. As such, to have experience and qualification, in Music is valued by employers and universities. Music graduates have a wide range of career options available to them both inside and outside the industry, including: performer, teacher, music therapist, administrator, songwriter, conductor, composer, recording engineer, manager, promoter, or music publisher. The range of roles can seem quite endless!
