Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
UNIT 4: SOLO MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
UNIT OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
Learning Outcomes By the end of the unit you should:
Know how to choose appropriate pieces of music for performance You will produce evidence to be
Know how to prepare for a solo performance marked at P1 3, M1 3, D1 3
Be able to perform music to an audience.
STUDENT NAME: ________________________________________________ TUTOR GROUP: __________
Assignment issued: 4th February 2016
Final Project Deadline: 4th June 2016
Check-in Deadlines: 4th March 2016
29th April 2016
13th May 2016
Primary Assessor: Mr M. Chase Verified by: A. Nicholson
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 1
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Unit content
1 Know how to choose appropriate pieces of music for performance
Choose appropriate pieces: defining difficulty levels; amount of preparation time before concert
or gig; availability of scores/recordings; availability of accompaniment; concert or gig venue;
audience type eg primary school children, peers, parents, youth club members
2 Know how to prepare for a solo performance
Technical preparations: eg warm-up techniques, scales, arpeggios, other technical exercises to
improve tone and technique relevant to the instrument or voice; formulate effective practice
routines; pieces for performance thoroughly rehearsed and learned
Physical preparation: relaxation and/or breathing exercises as appropriate; concentration
techniques; exercises to control nerves; dry-run performances to practise performing at the
venue and to an audience
Other preparations: instrument and equipment (where applicable) is in working order eg new
strings, amplifiers, correct reeds/mouth pieces, correct beaters, vocal warm-up; accompanist or
band is organised and prepared; rehearsal with accompanist or band (where applicable)
3 Be able to perform music to an audience
Attributes for a successful performance: accuracy of rhythm; accuracy of pitch; accuracy of
intonation; expression; confidence; timing
Communication: communicate effectively with accompanist/band; communication with audience
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 2
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Assignment A Choosing My Pieces..
SCENARIO
You have been invited to take part the Music Departments Lunch Time Recital Series in the 3rd Term.
You need to submit a list of 8 pieces that you would like to perform.
You will need to produce a concert programme for the audience with notes on each piece and a written or oral
justification of your choices
TASK 1
Make a list of at least eight pieces of music for your instrument, from which you will eventually choose four for your recorded
portfolio. You should provide examples of either printed music or recordings (DVD or audio) for each of the pieces. The
pieces should be appropriate to your current level of performance, so dont choose pieces that are going to over-stretch your
abilities when it comes to performing them in public. Where possible, you should demonstrate knowledge of at least two
different styles of piece for your instrument (P1)
In order to gain a MERIT grade, in addition to the requirements of the Pass criteria, you will need to describe the eight
examples with regard to:
Musical genre (e.g. Popular Music)
When were the pieces composed and by whom?
Specific musical genre (e.g. Brit-Pop or Soul)
do the pieces tell a story or are they intended just, for example, as a dance piece?
Tempo (e.g. 80 bpm or Slowly or Largo)
Where possible, you should demonstrate knowledge of at least two different styles of piece for your instrument.
In order to gain a DISTINCTION grade, in addition to the Pass and Merit criteria, you will need to justify the eight
examples with regard to:
Suitability for the type of audiences you are aiming at D1
Why are the pieces appropriate to you as an individual performer
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 3
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Assignment A Choosing My Pieces Check-In Status
Dead
Lines
1. Make a list of at least eight pieces of music for your instrument,
from which you will eventually choose four for your recorded March 4th 2016
portfolio. P1
2. You should provide examples of either printed music or
March 4th 2016
recordings (DVD or audio) for each of the pieces. P1
3. Evidence that the pieces should be appropriate to your current
March 4th 2016
level of performance P1
4. A written report and final concert programme that contains
information about the pieces investigated and chosen for the March 4th 2016
performance
Musical genre (e.g. Popular Music)
When were the pieces composed and by whom?
Specific musical genre (e.g. Brit-Pop or Soul)
do the pieces tell a story or are they intended just, for example, as a
dance piece?
Tempo (e.g. 80 bpm or Slowly or Largo)
Where possible, you should demonstrate knowledge of at least two
different styles of piece for your instrument. M1
5. Justify the eight examples with regard to:
Suitability for the type of audiences you are aiming at March 4th 2016
Why are the pieces appropriate to you as an individual
performer D1
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 4
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Grading criteria addressed by this assignment.
PASS Grade Criteria
P1 identify music for a concert programme that is generally appropriate to their
performance standard
MERIT Grade Criteria
M1 provide a description of the music selected for a concert programme that is appropriate
to their standard of performance
DISTINCTION Grade Criteria
D1 justify the choices of music for a concert programme that are appropriate to their
performance standard
Extra Hints and TIPS
This assignment provides the opportunity for you to become familiar with the repertoire which is available
for your instrument. You are encouraged to research a wide range of repertoire, try to look past you own
personal interests.
For example, through this assignment, a rock guitarist should provide information regarding the repertoire
for electric guitar from other musical genres e.g. Country music, Jazz, Pop.
When providing examples, it may not be possible to demonstrate different genres and styles of music.
However, you should illustrate different repertoire through recorded examples.
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 5
Clifton Hunter High School
OVERVIEW/ AIMS OF ASSIGNMENT B BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Assignment B
This assignment encourages you to recognise a range of music practice techniques that apply
Practising and to your instrument in general. It will also provide the basis for self-evaluation of your own
Instrument strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to focus on recognised practice routines that will lead
to an improvement in your own performance techniques. In conjunction with guidance from
Techniques your instrumental tutor and with regular and detailed use of a Practice Diary, you will be able
to use their private rehearsal time more effectively.
SCENARIO
The Music Department is preparing a Youtube Channel featuring practise techniques. They have
asked you to contribute, by identifying, demonstrating and evaluating some of the techniques you
have used, in order to improve your performance level.
TASK 1
Make a list of at least six music practice techniques that are commonly used to improve performance on your
instrument (P2)
In order to gain a MERIT grade, in addition to the requirements of the Pass criteria, you will need to describe at least
three music practice techniques that you have used to improve your overall performance. You could do this by
EITHER:
providing a written description of the techniques you have used to improve your performance. OR:
giving an oral presentation.
In both cases, you should demonstrate the techniques used by playing your instrument live or by using video
evidence of your practice techniques, to other members of your group (M2)
In order to gain a DISTINCTION grade, in addition to the Pass and Merit criteria, you will need to evaluate a range of
at least four practice techniques you have used to improve your performance. You should then say why these
particular techniques are used to improve specific elements of your performance. Again, you may provide this
evidence either in writing, or through an oral presentation. In either case, you should demonstrate this by playing your
instrument live or by using video evidence of your practice techniques to other members of your group (D2)
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 6
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Check-In Status
Assignment B Practising and Instrument Deadline
Techniques
29th April 2016
1. Make a list of at least six music practice techniques that
are commonly used to improve performance on your
instrument P2
2. Describe at least three music practice techniques that you 29th April 2016
have used to improve your overall performance M2
Practice log and video/ DVD and CD evidence of
examples of techniques used
3. Evaluate a range of at least four practice techniques you 29th April 2016
have used to improve your performance. D2
Practice log and video/ DVD and CD evidence of
examples of techniques used
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 7
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Grading Criteria for Assignment B
PASS Grade Criteria
P2 identify examples of music practice techniques that are used to improve performance on their instrument
MERIT Grade Criteria
M2 describe the music practice techniques that they have used to improve their performance on their
instrument
DISTINCTION Grade Criteria
D2 evaluate the music practice techniques that they have used to improve their performance on their
instrument
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 8
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
ASSIGNMENT C Performance Portfolio!
SCENARIO
You are to perform and record your 4 pieces and upload the video to YouTube and your ePortfolio Website.
You must submit an DVD/audio CD or filmed performance of your work
TASK
1) To gain a Pass, you need to produce a recorded portfolio of AT LEAST FOUR contrasting pieces of music that are
performed to an audience. The pieces should be performed accurately to be and you should show some sense of
musical style
The four pieces should be selected with the following elements in mind:
They should be contrasting pieces. The contrast may be that they are from different genres/styles of music and/or
from different periods in musical history.
Further contrast might be achieved by selecting pieces with different tempi (P3)
In order to gain a MERIT grade, in addition to the requirements of the Pass criteria, you should perform the
music with a sense of style and with some musical communication with your audience. (M3)
In order to gain a DISTINCTION grade, in addition to the Pass and Merit criteria, you will need to show the
use of expression and accurate phrasing. You should show a clear sense of individual style through your musical
interpretation of the pieces. You will also need to demonstrate musical communication with the audience. (D3)
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance Page | 9
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Assignment C Performance Portfolio! Check-In Status
Deadlines
1) Produce a recorded portfolio of AT LEAST FOUR contrasting
pieces of music that are performed to an audience. The pieces
should be performed accurately to be and you should show some
sense of musical style
The four pieces should be selected with the following
elements in mind:
They should be contrasting pieces. The contrast may be that
they are from different genres/styles of music and/or from
different periods in musical history. 13th May 2016
Further contrast might be achieved by selecting pieces with
different tempi (P3)
2) Perform the music with a sense of style and with some musical
communication with your audience. (M3)
13th May 2016
3) Show the use of expression and accurate phrasing. You should show a
clear sense of individual style through your musical interpretation of the
pieces.
You will also need to demonstrate musical communication with the
13th May 2016
audience. (D3)
4) Record your performance on to audio CD and video footage for
portfolio evidence.
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance P a g e | 10
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Grading Criteria for Assignment C
PASS Grade Criteria
P3 Present a recorded portfolio of at least four contrasting pieces of music that are performed accurately to an
audience, showing some sense of musical style.
MERIT Grade Criteria
M3 Present a recorded portfolio of at least four contrasting pieces of music that are performed accurately,
showing a sense of style and musical communication with the audience.
DISTINCTION Grade Criteria
D3 Present a recorded portfolio of at least four contrasting pieces of music that are performed accurately,
showing expression, a clear sense of style and demonstrating musical communication with the audience.
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance P a g e | 11
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
ASSIGNMENT REGULATIONS
1. Before handing in your work you should check that:
It is clearly marked with your name, date and assignment / task title.
All of the set tasks have been completed and declaration signed and dated
A reference list /bibliography, where necessary, has been included (at the end)
2. All assignments must be submitted inside of your portfolio folder to your tutor between the hours of 08:00 and 15:00,
Monday to Friday. Responsibility for submitting work on time and to the correct location rests with you. Late submissions
without legitimate reasons will be returned unmarked. No work will be accepted via email, unless prior agreement has been
made with your course tutor.
DECLARATION BY CANDIDATE
I confirm that the work submitted is the work of the above named student. Any borrowed or quoted
material is referenced where necessary. This includes internet material.
CANDIDATE SIGNATURE ____________________ DATE __________________________
TEACHER SIGNATURE ____________________ DATE __________________________
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance P a g e | 12
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
ASSESSMENT SHEET
NAME OF
CANDIDATE
UNIT TITLE Solo Musical Performance UNIT NO. 4
Assignment A Choosing My Pieces
ASSIGNMENT
Assignment B Practising and Instrument Techniques ASSIGNMENT NO. 1
TITLE
Assignment C Performance Portfolio
Assessor Feedback
Grading criteria PASS Grading MERIT Grading DISTINCTION Grading criteria
NOT achieved criteria achieved criteria achieved achieved
Assessor signature Date
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance P a g e | 13
Clifton Hunter High School
BTEC Extended Certificate in Music
Assessor Feedback (Resubmission)
Resubmission of improved evidence will be subject to approval by the INTERNAL VERIFIER
Criteria for
resubmission:
IVs Signature. Date.
Resubmission deadline: . (Within 10 working days of the assessment decision given)
Grading criteria PASS Grading MERIT Grading DISTINCTION Grading
NOT achieved criteria achieved criteria achieved criteria achieved
Assessor signature Date
Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance P a g e | 14
