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BTEC Intermediate Certificate in Music Apply Now »
Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Years: 1
Interview: Y
Course Summary
This course is designed to teach you the skills needed to kick-start a career in music. Whether you are a performer, composer or interested in music technology, the course serves as an excellent introduction to this fast-growing and highly competitive industry and will prepare you for further study at Level 3.
Entry requirements
You need grades D/3 at GCSE, including English Language and Maths (or a standard of maths and English at Functional Skills Level 1).
If you play an instrument or sing, you will be required to take part in a short audition.
If you are a composer or music technologist, you will be required to demonstrate some experience in these areas. Ideally this should include some audio of songs that you have produced or written yourself.
Course Content
You will study various units and take part in projects that are designed to improve your skills in different areas. These will include:
- Sequencing: you'll learn how to use specialist software to record music
- Composition: you'll learn different techniques to help you compose your own music in response to different scenarios, such as pop songs and soundtracks to games or films
- Research skills: you'll take part in a research project all about a musical topic that interests you
- The music industry: you'll learn how the industry is structured and the different employment opportunities it offers
- Listening skills: you'll learn about different styles and genres of music from the 1950s to the present day and how to recognise different features of these styles through listening.
How will I be assessed?
Most of your assessment will be through coursework. This will entail a mixture of practical assessments, written assessments, presentation work and project work.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
If you are a guitarist or bassist, you will be required to bring your own instrument and jack lead.
Drummers will need to bring a pair of drum sticks. Some drummers choose to bring their own snare drums and cymbals, but we do provide these.
Some vocalists like to bring their own microphone, but we do provide these too.
What can I do after this course?
This course is designed to prepare you for study at Level 3. You can progress to Level 3 if you succesfully achieve your Level 2 music qualification and grade C/4 in English and Maths.
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Harriet McDonnell
Rock band Muddibrooke set on right track by Derby College
From the moment she picked up a guitar at the age of eight, former Derby College music student Harriet McDonnell knew she wanted to be a professional musician.
Now, as the 25-year-old frontwoman of Derby rock band Muddibrooke, she and her band are achieving international success.
Muddibrooke’s first single,Turn to Dust, was played on BBC Introducing, and went on to receive airplay all over the world within days of its release. And, when lockdown sadly meant the band couldn’t headline a gig at The Venue in May, Harriet and her band members worked on a single called Stay Home, inspired by their experiences of coronavirus.
Harriet has also played many festivals and supported many other bands such as The Beautiful South, Doctor and the Medics and Frank Turner as a solo musician.
Harriet, from Mickleover, maintains that studying full-time on the two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Music Performance at Derby College has definitely benefited her career.
She said: “As manager of my own band, my course has helped me know more about the music industry and how it all works; as well as the performance aspect and getting an audience engaged with a show.
“The part I enjoyed most at College was forming bands and performing a show at the end of each term.
“I also loved composing our own music. It taught me a lot about how to use music software to record, compose and create a finished track. I use a lot of that knowledge now with my current work.”
I would recommend Derby College and the music course to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in the music industry.
