Unit 30:

Unit code: QCF level: Credit value:

Music in Context
L/601/1323 4
15
Unit aim

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to examine the contexts within which high and
popular musical culture has evolved and continues to develop.

Unit abstract
The study of any chosen art form requires placing it in context with other art forms. Any style
or feature, regardless of discipline, will have been influenced by previous events. These
experiences could be from any source: other art forms, previous personalities, cultural
influences as well as social and political trends and demands, religious beliefs and so on.
Global influences are hugely important and quickly felt with the ever accelerating capabilities
of technology. Any single creation will, in effect, have a creative family tree, an inheritance
trail which can be traced back through the creators experiences and through previous works
and how these in turn were influenced. Disciplines migrate to other forms (for example
architecture to art to literature to music). Some events are directly linked (for example how
war directly results in works of art, literature, photography, music and film). Other influences
have a longer process of evolution (for example the social and cultural origins of pop music to
the present-day milieu of genres). Often a completely different development will open new
avenues (for example improvements in mechanical recording and reproduction of music and
the effect on songwriting). All continue to develop.
Learners will be able to research these pathways and understand how the chosen art form
resulted in the way it did, and when it did. Study should be as wide and detailed as required
to formulate an informed conclusion.
On completion of this unit learners will have much greater knowledge and appreciation of how
art forms emerge and develop. An awareness of possible future directions which could
influence the way music is produced and marketed will also be cultivated.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit a learner will:
1. 1 Understand the key developments in different genres of music
2. 2 Understand a variety of musical genres
3. 3 Understand the cultural contexts that musicians work within
4. 4 Understand the effects of globalisation on music within a wider cross-cultural
context.

UNIT 30: MUSIC IN CONTEXT

BH029654 Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals specification in Music Issue 2 October 2011
Pearson Education Limited 2011

UNIT 30: MUSIC IN CONTEXT

Unit content
1.

2.

3.

4.

1 Understand the key developments in different genres of music

Evolution: key periods and artistic movements in popular music and western classical
traditions where appropriate; relationships made between modern practices and past
practices
Influences: cultural and social; political and historical; spiritual; geographical;
technological; issues of gender and sexuality; key works; cross-cultural; religious
Practitioners: a range of influential practitioners who have helped to shape the
direction of music eg Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Schoenberg, Boulez,
Caruso, Berlin, Gershwin, Sinatra, Presley, Beatles, Spector
2 Understand a variety of musical genres
Styles of performance: different styles of performance characteristics belonging to
historical
periods and artistic movements eg punk, baroque, jazz
Location: the effect that location has on styles of performance and reception; open
spaces; studio; site-specific eg carnival, rock festivals
Audience: the relationship between audience and the work created eg mods, rockers,
demographics of radio audiences, punk, sub-genres, country, bluegrass, indie and
brit pop, jazz and cool
3 Understand the cultural contexts that musicians work within
Cultural: the conditions under which a musician creates a work of art and how these
can affect the completed product eg censorship, early rock and roll, punk, resistance
to new ideas (Rite of Spring)
Social: the social structures and institutions which musicians operate within; moral
and ethical concerns; environmental issues
Political: censorship; free expression; manipulation; propaganda
4 Understand the effects of globalisation on music within a wider crosscultural
context
Technology: ever-developing technological influences on the production of music;
combining music with other art forms; technology within any given period eg
recording, playback developments, formats
Multi-national: monopolisation of the administration of music by large business
concerns (the Big Four); sustainability; copyright law
Markets: cross-cultural influences on music; fusions; global opportunities in the
marketing of new music; advantages and disadvantages of global availability

BH029654 Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals specification in Music Issue 2 October 2011
Pearson Education Limited 2011

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

UNIT 30: MUSIC IN CONTEXT

Learning outcomes

Assessment criteria for pass

On successful completion of this unit a

The learner can:
learner will:
1.
LO1Understand the key developments in
different genres of music

2.
3.
1.

LO2Understand a variety of musical genres

2.
3.

1.
LO3Understand the cultural contexts that
musicians work within

2.
3.

1.
LO4Understand the effects of globalisation
on music within a wider cross-cultural
context.

2.
3.

1.1 examine extracts from selected works

from a contextual perspective
1.2 explain the influences that have been
brought to bear on the selected works
1.3 compare a range of practitioners
2.1 analyse the characteristics of different
musical genres
2.2 assess the effect location has on the
production and reception of a piece of work
2.3 analyse the relationship between the
audience and the music
3.1 explain the cultural demands placed on
musicians
3.2 analyse how the social environment can
influence the production of music
3.3 review how political legislation can
influence the production of music
4.1 evaluate the use and development of
technology
4.2 apply appropriate arguments to current
business directions
4.3 examine the opportunities offered in a
global market looking at both advantages
and disadvantages.

BH029654 Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals specification in Music Issue 2 October 2011
Pearson Education Limited 2011