MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2015/16

BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) MUSIC

Assignment title/reference: T3.3 Songwriters Portfolio
Unit: 48 Songwriting Techniques and Skills
Assessor: David MacKinnon

I.V: Matt Power

Date issued: 18/04/16

Formative assessment: 20/05/16

Submission date: 10/06/16

The
project
brief

Throughout this project you will develop your skills as a songwriter. You will research techniques
used to compose, and apply them to your own creations. You will work with other musicians and
perform and record your work.

Scenario

A music publishing company with in-house songwriters are looking for new talent. They require
you to submit a portfolio of songs, and a completed show-reel. You will also need to provide a
video of your material being performed by live musicians.

Learning Outcomes
LO 1

LO 2

LO 3

Be able to use
advanced techniques in
relation to the setting of
song lyrics
Understand advanced
techniques in relation to
the use of melody,
harmony and
instrumentation
Be able to develop
song-writing skills
through workshop and
rehearsal techniques

1.1 produce a portfolio of songs using original and/or devised lyrics in

varying styles
1.2 illustrate disciplined control of form and structure in a varied portfolio
of songs

Be able to compile a
show-reel of original
compositions.

4.1 present original material to a variety of audiences

4.2 make a targeted show-reel publicity package with due regard to
copyright and other professional implications.

2.1 analyse the harmonic structure of a variety of original songs or

compositions
2.2 illustrate control of melody, harmony and instrumentation by producing
a portfolio of songs or compositions in a variety of styles
3.1 direct successful workshop developments and rehearsals working with
musicians to produce original compositions
3.2 present sources of inspiration for songs or compositions
3.3 use song-writing tools effectively

LO 4

Learner declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully
acknowledged.
Student signature:

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2015/16

Date:

MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2015/16

This assignment gives you the opportunity to

achieve the following MERIT grades:
Grade Descriptor
M1
Identify and apply
strategies to find
appropriate solutions
M2
Select / design and apply
appropriate methods and
techniques
M3
Present and communicate
appropriate findings

Indicative
Characteristic/s
Effective judgements
have been made.

Contextualisation

The selection of methods

has been justified

You must justify, giving arguments for and against

the methods you adopted during this process.

Communication has taken

place in familiar and
unfamiliar contexts.

The portfolio must be appropriate, demonstrate

newly learned skills and show a level of
professionalism.

You must select the appropriate techniques to

effectively improve your songwriting.

This assignment gives you the opportunity to

achieve the following DISTINCTION grades:
Grade Descriptor
D1
Use critical reflection to
evaluate own work and
justify valid conclusions

D2
Take responsibility for
managing and organising
activities
D3
Demonstrate convergent /
lateral / creative thinking

Indicative
Characteristic/s
Self-criticism of approach
has taken place and
realistic improvements
have been proposed
against defined
characteristics for
success.
Autonomy/independence
has been demonstrated
and the importance of
interdependence has
been recognized and
achieved.
Innovation and creative
thought have been
applied

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2015/16

Contextualisation
It is expected that the songwriting process allows
for a certain amount of trial and error. You must
justify what works and what doesnt work within the
workshop environment.

Songwriting is a personal craft and takes

dedication. You must show you are self motivated,
organised and focused throughout this project. You
may also need to collaborate with others effectively
in order to get the desired result
You must show creativity when songwriting, by not
regurgitating clichd formulas. A range of songs in
different styles will allow you to experiment along
different paths.

MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2015/16

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) MUSIC
Assignment title/reference: T3.3 Songwriters Portfolio
Unit: 48 Songwriting Techniques and Skills
Assessor: David MacKinnon

I.V: Matt Power

Date issued: 18/04/16

Formative assessment: 20/05/16

Submission date: 10/06/16

The
project
brief

Throughout this project you will develop your skills as a songwriter. You will research techniques
used to compose, and apply them to your own creations. You will work with other musicians and
perform and record your work.

Scenario

A music publishing company with in-house songwriters are looking for new talent. They require
you to submit a portfolio of songs, and a completed show-reel. You will also need to provide a
video of your material being performed by live musicians.

Task 1
2.1, 2.2

TASKS
Analyse Songwriting Tools

EVIDENCE
Log.

Prepare for your portfolio by analysing the harmonic structure of a variety of original
songs or compositions, and illustrating control of melody, harmony and
instrumentation by producing a portfolio of songs or compositions in a variety of
styles.
Task 2
3.1,
3.2, 3.3

Workshops

Task 3
1.1, 1.2

Portfolio

With a group of appropriate musicians direct successful workshop developments

and rehearsals working with musicians to produce original compositions and
present sources of inspiration for songs or compositions. Use song-writing tools
effectively.

Produce a portfolio of songs using original and/or devised lyrics in varying styles
and illustrate disciplined control of form and structure in a varied portfolio of songs.
Task 4
4.1, 4.2

Performance
Present original material to a variety of audiences, and make a targeted show-reel
publicity package with due regard to copyright and other professional implications.

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2015/16

Video of
workshops,
log.

Audio
recordings

Video

MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2015/16

ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY AND FEEDBACK

BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) MUSIC
Assignment title/reference: Songwriters Portfolio
Unit: 48 Songwriting Techniques and Skills
Assessor: David MacKinnon

I.V:

Learner:

Date Submitted:

Criteria
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2

The evidence shows you are able to:

produce a portfolio of songs using original and/or devised lyrics in varying styles
illustrate disciplined control of form and structure in a varied portfolio of songs
analyse the harmonic structure of a variety of original songs or compositions
illustrate control of melody, harmony and instrumentation by producing a
portfolio of songs or compositions in a variety of styles
direct successful workshop developments and rehearsals working with
musicians to produce original compositions
present sources of inspiration for songs or compositions
use song-writing tools effectively
present original material to a variety of audiences
make a targeted show-reel publicity package with due regard to copyright and
other professional implications.

Merit
Grade Descriptor
M1
Identify and apply
strategies to find
appropriate solutions
M2
Select / design and apply
appropriate methods and
techniques
M3
Present and
communicate appropriate
findings

Achieved (tick)

Distinction
Achieved (tick)

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2015/16

Grade Descriptor
D1
Use critical reflection to
evaluate own work and
justify valid conclusions
D2
Take responsibility for
managing and organizing
activities
D3
Demonstrate convergent
/ lateral / creative thinking

Achieved (tick)

MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2015/16

Formative Feedback: Assessor to Student

Action Plan

Summative feedback

Feedback: Student to Assessor

Assessor Signature

Date

Student Signature

Date

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2015/16