BTEC Level 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD in MUSIC

UNIT 2: Managing a Music Product

YOUR NAME HERE

Study Guide/Student Workbook

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

- You need to work through each worksheet (WS)
- Make sure all work is in your own words
- Make it your own - add pictures, change theme/fonts etc.
- Check your spelling
- Ask the person next to you to check you work and peer
assess, what could you do to improve?

SCENARIO
The Now Thats series of compilation CDs has
been going for 21 years now, and this year we would
like to make Swindon Academys very own version of
this popular album.
The album will feature songs composed using
Sibelius, recording studio
& Garageband by the BTEC Music class, and it will
be made available on the popular Sound Cloud music
sharing website so all will be able to easily listen to
the compositions produced by the pupils in the class.

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

Task 1.1(1A.1, 1A.2, 2A.P1,2A.M1, 2A.D1, 2A.P2,2A.M2, 2A.D2)

The Production Team
You should form a Production Team with others chosen from your class, with the aim of planning, developing and delivering your CD.

At your production meetings you should consider your target audience, the content/material for your CD and how you propose to record it taking
into account the availability of the studio and musicians/performers including time constraints relating to recording and mixing. Remember also to take into
account any copyright issues if you are including cover versions of existing songs, and/or loops of existing riffs in your compositions and to include rehearsal
time in your plans.
Your development activities as part of the Production Team creating the CD will include:

Contribution to scheduled recording sessions and meetings

Considering suggestions such as alternative/additional material and changes to the sound or balance of individual tracks

Reviewing the progress of the work making any changes necessary to meet deadlines and achieve your aims.

Good timekeeping and preparation, listening and responding to direction from others, working safely at all times and demonstrating good
production skills.
You will need to think about:

Format, size and scope of the final album

Timescales involved and milestones

Status of the product it is full-scale product, trial, experiment, informal, finished product, demo, master?

Success criteria e.g. how will we know if it was a success or failure?

The final product will benefit from effective teamwork and the strengths of the individual team members involved. This will include good timekeeping and
preparation, listening and responding to direction from others, working safely at all times and demonstrating good production skills.
EVIDENCE

a unit log which may contain:

*What does the final delivery look like e.g. presentation to
peers, press launch for album
*rough outline ideas, either in the form of written notes or diagrams
*notes from
discussions and meetings
*schedules/timetables
*lists of required resources and equipment
*set lists
*annotated sheet music
*drafts of compositions or arrangements
*notes or recordings
from rehearsals and/or other preparations
*equipment diagrams and floor plans
*room/ resource booking sheets teacher

Criteria covered by task 1.1:

U
n
it

Criterion
reference

To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
Make a positive contribution to the planning of a music
2
2A.P1
product.
Make a positive and consistent contribution to the planning of
a music product, making considered decisions in relation to the
2
2A.M1
demands of the work.

Make a significant and imaginative contribution to the planning

of a music product, making considered and insightful decisions 2
2A.D1
in relation to the demands of the work.
Demonstrate a positive input into the development and
2
2A.P2
delivery of a music product.
Demonstrate a positive and consistent input into the
development and delivery of a music product that is integral to 2
2A.M2
the success of the work.
Demonstrate a sustained and effective input into the
development and delivery of a music product, making a
2
2A.D2
significant contribution to the success of the work.

If you have not achieved the Level 2 criteria, your work will be assessed to
determine if the following Level 1 criteria have been met.
U
n Criterion
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
it reference
Make a limited contribution to the planning of a music product.
2
1A.1
Demonstrate a limited input into the development and delivery

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Planning:
Outline of ideas from the Production meeting on..
The CD will be called Now thats what I call Swindon Academy Volume 1!!
Topics
Target audience

Content/ material of the CD

How it will be recorded

Any copyright issues if cover songs

are used

Other

Ideas

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Planning:
Outline of ideas from the Production meeting on

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Planning:

Outline of resource ideas from the Production meeting on

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Planning:
Outline of Timetabled Schedule and Events from the Production meeting on

Date

Work to be completed

Every pupil in class will contribute one song to the CD.

Use the planning sheet below to help you with initial ideas:

What makes a great song, and which of these are you going to include in your composition?
- Has a strong beat
- Has a very catchy riff (a short pattern of notes) that repeat again and again
- All of the instruments need to be in time together
- Has a clear structure, for example intro, verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, outro
-Has different instruments, like drums, bass, guitar, piano, synths

What style & song will you base your composition on?
- e.g. slow ballad like Someone Like You? Catchy pop song like Just The Way You Are? Loud rock like Sweet
Child of Mine?

What structure will your composition have? A) Binary (A section, B section)

B) Ternary (A section, B section, A section)
C) Pop song form: Intro, Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Outro

What instruments will you use in your composition? e.g. Hip hop drums? Electric Guitar? Synth?

Development:
My Garageband Composition
Below is a screenshot of my Garageband composition that will be one of the
tracks on the CD:

Development: Track List of the CD

Track
No.

Track Name

Pupil

Development: My Artwork Proposal for the CD

Below is my artwork proposal for the Now Thats What I Call Swindon Academy! Volume 1 CD.
The best design from the group will be chosen as the front cover for the finished product.

Now Thats What I Call Swindon Academy!

Volume 1

SCENARIO
Well done! You have a finished product (album)! It is
now time to spread the word and raise awareness so
that potential customers/ consumers are aware of
how to get hold of it!

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

Task 2.1 (1B.3, 2B.P3, 2B.M3, 2B.D3)

Promoting the Product!
You should each create at least one element of
a promotional pack for the CD. In addition to
the actual CD packaging, the pack should
contain other essentials such as a press
release, radio advert, or a website.
EVIDENCE
a copy of the final product CD with packaging
research material, promotional material drafts and notes
promotional materials, and links where appropriate
teacher observation and/or interim assessment records

Criteria covered by task 2.1:

To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
Create promotional material appropriate to the product that
communicates essential information to the target audience.
Create promotional material appropriate to the product that
communicates essential information to the target audience and
shows awareness of industry practice.

Create imaginative promotional material appropriate to the

product that communicates information effectively to the target
audience and shows awareness of industry practice.

U
n
it

Criterion
reference

2B.P3

2B.M3

2B.D3

If you have not achieved the Level 2 criteria, your work will be assessed to
determine if the following Level 1 criteria have been met.

To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
Create promotional material.

U
n Criterion
it reference
2
1B.3

Promotion:
Outline of Ideas From Production meeting on

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

Below is a picture of the final product - the finished CD

A. Create promotional material appropriate to the product that

communicates essential information to the target audience. (P3)
Create a poster/ leaflet to promote the CD. Remember to include the following:
- A picture of the actual CD we will be selling
- Name of CD - Now Thats What I Call Swindon Academy! Volume 1
- Price of CD
- Release Date
- Where it is available from: PArts Dept
- Who it is by: Year 10 BTEC Music Class
- Theme: Music Technology In Action
Remember your target audience: make your poster clear and interesting with pictures and clear
writing!

MY POSTER

B. Create more promotional material that shows awareness of industry

practice (M3)
Examples of other promotional material:
A press release
A website
A radio advert
Important: Make sure these promotional materials are similar to others that are used within the music
industry!

C. For D3, your promotional material needs to be imaginative, communicates

the information effectively to the target audience, and shows awareness of
industry practice

SCENARIO
Following the release of the release of the album, you
will review the product and management process of
the product in terms of strengths and weaknesses
over the whole process, and make suggestions for
improvement/development in terms of future projects.

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

Task 3.1 (1C.4, 2C.P4, 2C.M4, 2C.D4)

The Review
You should review the work undertaken by yourself and your peers throughout the project. This could be
in the form of a written report, recorded discussion or presentation. You need to look into:

The strengths/ weaknesses of the process

The effectiveness of the planning e.g. sufficient time to prepare

The management of professional relationships

The use of resources

Individual and team contributions to the process

How planning was affected and changed as a result of the creative process

You should pay particular attention to any strengths and weaknesses evident not just in the planning and
management of the project, but also take account of the artistic content and audience response when
listening to the CD.
You should also make suggestions for improvement/development in terms of future projects.

EVIDENCE

a written report, recorded discussion or presentation.

Criteria covered by task 3.1

Criterion
referenc
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit
e
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the product
2
2C.P4
with reference to the management process.
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the product with
2
2C.M4
reference to the management process.
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the product,
justifying
2
2C.D4
conclusions, with reference to the management process.

If you have not achieved the Level 2 criteria, your work will be assessed to
determine if the following Level 1 criteria have been met.
Criteri
on
refere
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
Unit nce
Identify the main strengths and weaknesses of the product
2
1C.4
with reference to the management process.

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

A) - Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the product with reference to the Management Process

Manageme
nt Process

Strengths

Planning

e.g. initial ideas;

schedule;

Developme
nt

e.g. resources &

time used
effectively?

Delivery

e.g. quality of
tracks, artwork,
and promotion.
Audience
response?

Suggestions for Improvement:

Next time I would...

(P4)

Weaknesses

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

B. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the product, with
reference to the management process. (M4)
- Explain how the planning process contributed to the final product
- How did you meet the requirements of your role?
- How well did your work contribute to the final CD?
- How well did the group contribute to the final CD?

BTEC LEVEL 1 & 2 FIRST AWARD IN MUSIC

C. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the product, justifying
conclusions, with reference to the management process. (D4)
- Provide a full and detailed evaluation that considers how and
why the activities contributed to the final CD
- How did you meet the requirements of your role? - use specific
examples to justify your conclusion
- How well did your work contribute to the final CD? - use specific
examples to justify your conclusion
- How well did the group contribute to the final CD? - use specific
examples to justify your conclusion