RSL Subsidiary Diploma Music Practitioners

RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Music Practitioners Exam Board: Rockschool

Why study this subject?

The Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and Level 3 Extended Diploma for Music Practitioners provide music industry qualifications that will equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding for entry to employment in the music industry or progression to further study at a higher level. The qualifications are divided into specific pathways (Performance, Composition, Technology and Business) offering the opportunity to undertake specialised learning that can be accurately matched to specific career sectors in the music industry. The array of optional units within the qualifications also allows learners to cover a range of aspects of the music industry, whichever pathway they select, reflecting the nature of employment within the music industry which often involves individuals undertaking multiple roles as part of a ‘portfolio career’, many in a freelance capacity.

How is the course assessed?

Year 12 - Performance Pathway

386 Practical Musicianship: This unit aims to enhance the learner’s aural perception skills in music (listening, internalising and reproducing) and develop their capacity to apply these skills in a range of contexts, relevant to the individual.

365 Auditioning for Music: This unit aims to develop the skills to participate effectively in the audition process — learners will develop the techniques, forms and accepted procedures of auditioning, together with the development of analytical and strategic thinking skills.

353 Music Event Management: This unit looks to develop event management skills and can be applied to any kind of event or tour. By evaluating the process involved in staging a musical event and applying the required skills to an area of their own interest, learners will develop strategies for event management and promotion in a variety of areas.

Year 13

349 Planning for a Career in the Music Industry: The aim of this unit is to familiarise learners with the processes associated with effective career planning and to align/link their career aims with their study for this qualification, defining the ways in which the learner engages with their learning. For any music professional, the ability to manage a career through careful planning, combined with a thorough knowledge of the professional landscape and the opportunities available within it, will substantially increase the potential for the prepared person to have a range of robust career options available to them.

387E Rehearsal Skills and Live Music Performance: This unit showcases the learner’s live performance skills and their capacity to take ownership of the entire performance process, including planning, rehearsals, performance and evaluation.

Year 12 Performance Pathway

-386 Practical Musicianship

-365 Auditioning for Music

-353 Music Event Management

To join the Sixth Form there is an entry criteria of five standard passes at GCSE (at least a Grade 4). This must include at least a Grade 4 in English Language and Maths at GCSE. Students will need to gain at least a Grade 4 in the subjects they would like to study at A Level.