NATIONAL DIPLOMA POPULAR MUSIC

YEAR 1
ASSESSMENT BRIEF

UNIT 39
THE SOUND AND MUSIC INDUSTRY

ASSESSOR
GARETH PATCH

Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know the function of four different areas of the sound and music industry and how
they relate to the broader entertainment industry
2 Understand the professional roles and career opportunities within a chosen area of
the music industry
3 Know the working patterns in the music business
4 Understand the importance of royalties in the sound and music industry

To achieve a pass grade the
evidence must show that the
learner is able to:
P1
Describe the function of
different areas of the sound
and music industry
GRADING CRITERIA
To achieve a merit grade the
evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass criteria, the
learner is able to:
M1
Explain the function of different
areas of the sound and music
industry
To achieve a distinction grade the
evidence must show that, in addition
to the pass and merit criteria, the
learner is able to:
D1
Comment critically on the function of
different areas of the sound and
music industry

P2 M2 D2
Describe the professional Explain the professional roles and Comment critically on the
roles and career career opportunities within the professional roles and career
opportunities within the music music industry opportunities within the music
industry industry

P3 M3 D3
Describe the working Explain the working patterns in Comment critically on the working
patterns in the music the music business patterns in the music business
business

P4 M4 D4
Describe the importance of Explain the importance of Comment critically on the importance
licensing and royalties in the licensing and royalties in the of licensing and royalties in the sound
sound and music industry sound and music industry and music industry

OVERVIEW
This assessment instrument contains 3 assignments. You must complete all of these 3
assignments by the set deadlines to successfully complete the unit.

There are 4 criteria for this unit. Each assignment covers different grading criteria. Therefore all
assignments must be submitted by the set deadline; if you do not submit an assignment you will
not have covered the grading criteria and therefore cannot pass the unit.

Interim grades will be issued once each assignment is completed. However, these are as
guidance only and are not final until all assignments have been completed.

WORK SUBMITTED LATE WILL NOT BE MARKED

DEADLINES: -
TITLE DEADLINE
ASSIGNMENT 1 FOUR AREAS OF THE FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2009
SOUND AND MUSIC
INDUSTRY
ASSIGNMENT 2 LICENSING AND ROYALTIES TUES 17TH, 24TH and 31ST
MARCH 2009

ASSIGNMENT 3 ROLES, OPPORTUNITIES FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 2009

AND WORKING PATTERNS IN
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

NOTES
ASSIGNMENT 1
TITLE; FOUR AREAS OF THE SOUND & MUSIC INDUSTRY
DEADLINE; FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 09

CRITERIA; CRITERIA 1

ELEMENTS; WRITTEN ESSAY (1600 WORDS)

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE/INFORMATION: -
ASSIGNMENT 1 MUST BE SUBMITTED TO J22 ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THE
WORKING DAY (4:30) ON FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2009.

YOU MUST PUT YOUR NAME AND WORD COUNT ON THE COVER PAGE OF THE
ASSIGNMENT.
THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE COMB BOUND. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND
APPENDICES MUST BE ATTACHED IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT INHIBIT THE
READING/MARKING OF THE ASSIGNMENT.
WORK MUST BE PRESENTED IN 12 POINT ARIAL OR TIMES NEW ROMAN TYPEFACE AND
ONE AND A HALF LINE SPACED.
THE HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.

WORK NOT MEETING THIS PRESENTATION CRITERIA WILL NOT BE MARKED.

ASSIGNMENT TASK
Research, develop and produce an academic essay that comments critically on the
function of different areas of the sound and music industry and how they relate to the
broader entertainment industry. (CRITERIA 1)

You will need to provide evidence that you have investigated four areas of the music
industry: -

• Live performance: eg setting up and promoting live performances; health and

safety; tour management; event management; retailing; tickets; backstage;
front of house; performing rights

• Record companies: eg majors and independents; finding and signing artists;

acts and material; recording studios; retail; distribution; internet sales;
intellectual property and copyright management; digital rights management
(DRM); industry organisations

• Music publishing companies: eg finding songwriters/composers; promoting the

material; music sales and live broadcast; intellectual property and copyright
management; performing rights; piracy; industry organisations

• Artist management: eg business management; sponsorship; tour

management;artists’ and managers’ rights; royalties; merchandising
ASSIGNMENT 2
TITLE; LICENSING AND ROYALTIES
DEADLINE; 17TH/24TH/31ST MARCH 2009

CRITERIA; CRITERIA 4

ELEMENTS; POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (7-10 MINUTES)

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: -
ASSIGNMENT 2
THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
DELIVERED TO THE REST OF THE GROUP DURING NORMAL LESSON TIME.

A PC OR LAPTOP, ALONG WITH A PROJECTOR OR SMART BOARD WILL BE PROVIDED

BUT YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOU BRING YOUR POWERPOINT FILE ON A FLOPPY DISK
OR USB FLASH DRIVE.

WORK NOT MEETING THIS PRESENTATION CRITERIA WILL NOT BE MARKED.

ASSIGNMENT TASK
Research and deliver a presentation, commenting critically on the importance of
licensing and royalties in the sound and music industry. (CRTIERIA 4) Chose a topic
from the following list or devise one for yourself on which to base your research.

1. The importance of royalties to a working musician

2. The consequences of illegal downloading of copyright material to royalties
3. Why royalty collection systems have to be so complex
4. The use of music in mainstream television programming
5. The impact of the Internet on music sales and subsequent royalty payments
6. New Media: Music and the video games industry
ASSIGNMENT 3
TITLE; ROLES, OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKING
PATTERNS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
DEADLINE; FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 09

CRITERIA; CRITERIA 2 AND 3

ELEMENTS; WRITTEN ESSAY (1200 WORDS)

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: -
ASSIGNMENT 3 MUST BE SUBMITTED TO J22 ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THE
WORKING DAY (4:30) ON FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 2009

YOU MUST PUT YOUR NAME AND WORD COUNT ON THE COVER PAGE OF THE
ASSIGNMENT.
THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE COMB BOUND. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND
APPENDICES MUST BE ATTACHED IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT INHIBIT THE
READING/MARKING OF THE ASSIGNMENT.
WORK MUST BE PRESENTED IN 12 POINT ARIAL OR TIMES NEW ROMAN TYPEFACE AND
ONE AND A HALF LINE SPACED.
THE HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.

WORK NOT MEETING THIS PRESENTATION CRITERIA WILL NOT BE MARKED.

ASSIGNMENT TASK
Research, develop and produce an academic essay that comments critically on the
roles and career opportunities within a specific area of the music industry and the
different working patterns associated with it. (CRITERIA 2 AND 3)

You may either:

1. Explore and discuss an area of the industry that is of particular interest to you,
research the area in-depth and complete an essay detailing your findings. This
discussion must explore roles and career opportunities, and working patterns associated
with your chosen area.

OR

2. Discuss the requirements essential to being a successful self-employed musician or

running a band and include practical examples of self-organisation and business
accumen. This discussion must explore roles and career opportunities for a self
employed musician, and working patterns associated with this area.

If you choose option 1 the area you select to investigate should be one of the following:

• Career opportunities in live performance: eg performer/artist; DJ; agent;

promoter; venues and stage management; crew/technicians; security;
merchandise

• Career opportunities in record companies: eg administration; product;

artists and repertoire; promotion; distribution and retail; merchandising

• Career opportunities in music publishing companies: eg publishing;

copyright; sales; composer and artist development

• Career opportunities in artist management: eg artists;

songwriter/composer; manager; lawyer; accountant
Whether you choose option 1 or 2 you must include in your exploration and discussion
the considerations around working patterns and contracts. Below are some suggestions
for guidance: -

• Working patterns: sessional; freelance; self-employed; employed;

professional and semi-professional

• Contracts: standard musicians; verbal contract; union; self-negotiated;

benefits; constraints; merchandising