Gateway College introduces Music Technology
The newest addition to the vocational programmes that are already on offer at OL and AL in Sport, Drama and Engineering
For the first time at school level, Gateway College will offer the Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Award in Music for O level students which will cover not only music performance but composition and digital production as well. BTEC qualifications have a practical, real-world approach to learning and focus on what future practitioners in any field of study would need to know when they enter an industry. With this in mind, the BTEC Award in Music, with its strong emphasis on Music Technology, is designed to support learners who wish to explore the music sector through applied learning.
Students of BTEC Music will study about creating a music product, recording and performing in a very practical and hands-on way. Since the qualification is assignment based and not exam based, assessment itself allows students to put into practice the theoretical aspects of music composition and production.
Gateway students will study four main aspects: Performing; Composing; DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Production; and Planning, developing and promoting a music product in response to a brief.
To enhance the practical nature of this course, Gateway College has made arrangements to establish a state-of-theart music studio on site where students can do guided work on recording and production even as they explore their own creativity. Because the programme has a strong vocational element, Gateway is also liaising with reputed practitioners in the music industry to give students the much-needed industry exposure.
A few years ago, Gateway introduced the Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Extended Certificate in Sport as its first vocational course. The immense success with over 60% of students receiving Distinction Star, Distinction and Merit Awards motivated Gateway to introduce the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Sport for AL students from last year.
BTEC Level 2 in Engineering was next to be introduced for those students who aspire towards ca- reers in STEM related fields. So far, students have been performing exceptionally well due to the hands- on experience they receive, both in school, as well as outside.
Gateway College also offers the LAMDA medal Examinations along with International GCSEs and Trinity College London Performing Diplomas along with ALs.