Assignment Brief

Qualification BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Music (Performing)

Unit number and title Unit 30: Pop Music in Practise
Assignment title Pop Music through the decades
Start date 6th January 2020
Deadline 4th May 2020
Assessor name A. Clifford

PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

This unit is designed to enable learners to expand their knowledge of pop music grounded in practical
experience of rehearsing and performing relevant works. Learners will know different styles and genres of pop
music and how pop music has developed through different eras. Learners will then be able to perform their own
compositions and works of others relative to the styles and genres studied.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know different genres of pop music
2 Know how pop music developed
3 Be able to perform original pop music
4 Be able to perform pop music as part of an ensemble.
SCENARIO
You have been asked to write a major article for a well known online music magazine outlining the history of pop music from
1950 to the present day. Alongside this, and to publicise the event, you will perform in a live event in which you will demonstrate
this development of pop music with at least two songs from each decade. You may involve other musicians and bands. The
concert should contain at least four new compositions written individually by you. You will need to research and write your article
and you will also perform, preparing and working individually and as a member of a team towards a successful concert
undertaking appropriate responsibilities as a musician throughout the project. You will need to jointly compere the event,
introducing songs and talking about them to improve the listeners’ stylistic awareness. The performance will be videod and
published alongside your article.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

To achieve a PASS grade the To achieve a MERIT grade
evidence must show that you the evidence must show
are able to: that, in addition to the pass
criteria, you are able to:
P1 describe, with reference to M1 explain, with reference
examples, styles of pop music. to examples, styles of pop
music
To achieve a DISTINCTION
grade the evidence must
show that, in addition to the
pass and merit criteria, you
are able to:
D1 comment critically, with
reference to examples, on
styles of pop music

P2 describe, with reference M2 explain, with reference D2 comment critically,

to examples, how pop music
developed.
P3 perform original pop
music with errors that do not
detract from the overall
performance.
P4 perform a variety of
pieces as part of an
ensemble with errors that do
not detract from the overall
performance.
to examples, how pop music
developed
M3 perform original pop
music competently and
accurately
M4 perform a variety of
pieces as part of an
ensemble competently and
accurately.
with reference to examples,
on how pop music
developed
D3 perform original pop
music with artistic flair and
interpretation
D4 perform a variety of
pieces as part of an
ensemble with artistic flair
and interpretation.

ASSIGNMENTS TIMESCALE GRADING CRITERIA

 General introduction to the unit.
Assignment 1: Article
● Write an article for a music magazine ‘The development of pop
music from 1950 to the current day’. 9 weeks P1, M1, D1, P2, M2,
EVIDENCE: D2
● Definitions and descriptions of the genres and styles.
● Examples that best highlight aspects of development.
● Evidence of these examples.
● Song structure
● Harmony
● Texture
● Timbre (relate to technological developments)
● Format
● Production
● Technological developments.
● Research into article writing – formats and styles.
● Article writing.
● Presentations.
Assignment 2: Performance of Original Works
● Songwriting workshops with composers to develop awareness of
style. 11 weeks P3, M3, D3
EVIDENCE:
● Performances: video recordings
● Feedback (from staff and peers).
Assignment 3: Ensemble Performance
● Prepare and work as a member of a team towards a successful
live event. 11 weeks P4, M4, D4
● Guided research on specific pieces for stylistic accuracy.
● Workshops with recordings/external groups to develop
awareness of style.
● Supervised rehearsals.
● Perform an individual part as a member of a group, showing
technical skill, confidence, genre specific stage etiquette, a sense
of ensemble and interpretive style linked to the period of the
songs being performed.
EVIDENCE:
● You will produce ensemble performances demonstrating different
styles using voice or on an instrument of your choice
● Video recordings
● Feedback (from staff and peers).

Tick
Evidence Check List when Justification for document
complete
● An article about ‘The development of pop
music from 1950 to the current day’.
● A bibliography of sources.
● A discography of recordings.
● Evidence of research, logs of preparatory
listening of pieces that you’ve listened to
that demonstrates music from an era.
● Videos of workshops and lessons on
compositions.
● Recordings/videos of compositions.
● Copies of sheet music/chord charts of
your compositions.
● Copies of sheet music/chord charts of
your performance pieces.
● Programme notes demonstrating
knowledge of the era the pieces are
representing.
● Video of your performances.
● Self-evaluation form.
● Assessor observation feedback form.

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Text Books:
● Bruser M – The Art Of Practicing: A Guide To Making Music From The Heart (Bell Tower, 1999)
ISBN 978-0609801772
● Julia Davids Stephen LaTour - Vocal Technique: A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers (Waveland
Pr Inc; 2012) ISBN-13: 978-1577667827 ISBN-10: 1577667824
● Mr Joseph Alexander - How to Read Guitar Tablature: A Complete Guide to Reading Guitar Tab and
Performing Modern Guitar Techniques Publisher: (www.fundamental-changes.com 2018) ISBN-10:
1789330211 ISBN-13: 978-1789330212
● W. Timothy Gallwey - The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
(Random House Trade Paperbacks 1997) ISBN-10: 9780679778318 ISBN-13: 978-0679778318
● David Kish - Practicing with Purpose: An Indispensable Resource to Increase Musical Proficiency (Meredith
Music 2017) ISBN-10: 1574634623 ISBN-13: 978-1574634624
● Frith S, Straw W and Street J (editors) – The Cambridge Companion to Pop and Rock (Cambridge, 2001)
ISBN 978-0521556606
● Larkin P (editor) – Virgin Encyclopaedia of Popular Music (Virgin Books, 2002) ISBN 978-1852279233
● Rawlings T – Mod: Clean Living Under Very Difficult Circumstances – a Very British Phenomenon(Omnibus,
2000) ISBN 978-0711968134
● Rees D and Gampton L – Rock and Pop Year by Year (Dorling Kindersley, 2003) ISBN 978-1405300711
Winterson J – Pop Music: Question & Answer Book(Peters Edition, 2005) ISBN 978-1843670148 Winterson J,
Nickol P and Bricheno T – Pop Music: The Text Book (Peters Edition, 2003) ISBN 978-1843670070
Magazines and Websites
● www.allmusic.com Online music encyclopaedia
● www.futuremusic.co.uk Music technology info and trends
● www.nme.com The definitive music weekly
● www.theguardian.co.uk/music Newspaper’s music coverage
● https://www.musicradar.com/guitarist
● Sound on sound magazine https://www.soundonsound.com/
● https://www.worldmusic.net/
Radio:
● BBC radio 1 and 2 provides extensive listening on the latest and archived popular music of all sorts and
numerous podcasts are available to download.
● There are many festivals across the UK and Europe each summer which are broadcast; e.g Glastonbury,
Reading.
● radio.garden is one of many apps that will provide a wide range of music from around the world.
Live performance:
There is no substitute for watching live musicians performing. Watch as much live music as you can.

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Assessor
Adrian Clifford
Signature Date
1/12/19
Internal verifier

Signature Date

Learner Assessment Submission and Declaration

Learner name: Assessor name:

Issue Date: Submission Date: Submitted on:

Programme: LEVEL 3 BTEC Music

Unit 30: Pop Music in Practice

Assignment Reference and title: The development of pop music from 1950 to the current day

Task Ref. Evidence Submitted Description

Task 1 – Article

Task 2 – Performance of Original

Works

Task 3 – Ensemble Performance

Additional comments to the assessor:

Learner declaration

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources
used in the work.

Learner signature: Date: