WJEC Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Drama OR Music Technology

What is Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts?

The Vocational Award in Performing Arts is designed to support students who want to learn about the performing arts sector and the potential for careers within it.  You will have the opportunity to develop a range of general skills as well as those from your chosen specialism.

What will I study?

Within Performing Arts, you must choose either to specialise in drama or music technology.  These appear as separate choices in the options process.

• You can pick Performing Arts (Music Technology) as well as either GCSE Music or GCSE Drama
• You cannot pick both Performing Arts (Drama) and Performing Arts (Music Technology)

You cannot pick both Performing Arts (Drama) and GCSE Drama.

How will I be assessed?

There is not a written exam as part of this course.  You will complete 3 projects across Year 10 and 11 which combine to give your overall grade.

Unit	%	Assessment
1 – Performing	30%	Internally Assessed, Externally Moderated
2 – Creating	30%	Internally Assessed, Externally Moderated
3 – Performing Arts in Practice	40%	Externally Assessed

 

What will I do? - Performing Arts (Drama)

WJEC L1/2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Drama

You have the option to take this course with drama as your specialism. The first two terms of the course will involve lots of practical work where you will be building your acting and devising skills as well as learning about how professional theatre events are created.  You will then have three main assessment points.

Unit 1: Performing

• You will work either as an individual or in a group to research, rehearse and present a drama performance of a section of a play which lasts 3-6 minutes.
• You will produce a portfolio which outlines the processes you have gone through to produce your performance. This is usually a written document but can also include drawings, diagrams, mind maps, images and tables.

Unit 2: Creating

• You will work either as an individual or in a group to devise an original drama performance which lasts between 3 and 10 minutes.
• You will produce a portfolio which outlines the processes you have gone through to produce your performance. This is usually a written document but can also include drawings, diagrams, mind maps, images and tables.

Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice

• You will submit a creative proposal to perform in a fictional performing arts event which will feature pieces of theatre. The proposal will include information on how you have researched your piece, how you will use marketing skills to promote your event, the resources you will need to make your performance a success and short examples of what the performance will look like.
• You will pitch your idea to a panel who will give you feedback. You will the use this feedback to write an evaluation of your proposal and reflect on what you have learned in the process.

Why should I choose WJEC Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Drama?

Choose this course if you love drama and performing and want to look more at practical application of skills within the industry. This course does have a written element but you will not sit a 90 minute exam as you would on the GCSE Drama course.

 

What will I do? - Performing Arts (Music Technology)

WJEC L1/2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Music Technology

You have the option to take this course with music technology as your specialism. The first two terms of the course will involve lots of practical work where you will be building your music technology skills using Logic ProX as well as learning about how professional theatre events are created.  You will then have three main assessment points.

Unit 1: Performing

• Using music technology, you will create either a cover version or a remix of a piece of music, lasting between 3 and 6 minutes.
• You will produce a portfolio which outlines the processes you have gone through to produce your performance. This is usually a written document but can also include drawings, diagrams, mind maps, images and tables.

Unit 2: Creating

• You will create a piece of music, using music technology which explores the use of techniques such as sampling, design and application of effects such as reverb, and much more. Your piece will need to be between 3 and 10 minutes long.
• You will produce a portfolio which outlines the processes you have gone through to produce your performance. This is usually a written document but can also include drawings, diagrams, mind maps, images and tables.

Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice

• You will submit a creative proposal to perform in a fictional performing arts event which will feature pieces of theatre. The proposal will include information on how you have researched your piece, how you will use marketing skills to promote your event, the resources you will need to make your performance a success and short examples of what the performance will look like.
• You will pitch your idea to a panel who will give you feedback. You will the use this feedback to write an evaluation of your proposal and reflect on what you have learned in the process.

Why should I choose WJEC Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Music Technology?

• Choose this course if you have enjoyed the GarageBand side of music in KS3 and want to look more at practical application of skills within the industry. This course does have a written element but you will not sit a formal exam as you would on the GCSE Music course.

Routes to employment

Studying performing arts enables students to develop many transferrable skills including creativity, teamwork and the ability to research, plan and refine your work.

Students who have studied performing arts go on to study courses at college, sixth forms and universities such as music technology, music, drama, theatre studies or a higher level of performing arts.

Students who have studied performing arts have access to a wide range of careers and employment opportunities such as any work within the music, film, theatre of gaming industries, or any pathway which requires a creative approach.

Who do I need to see to find out more?

If you want to know more, please see Mr Crabtree (Music Technology) or Mrs Johnson-Chuter (Drama).