The Music Industry Curriculum Resource Pack

86pp A4
film-media-resources
E-mail: info@film-media-resources.co.uk, tel: 020 8863 0260

The Music Industry Curriculum Resource Pack (GCSE, A level, GNVQ, BTEC) lives up to its claim of being 'straightforward and accessible', with a very clear breakdown of activities and detailed list of resources needed for each project.

Taking as a starting point the fact that students often know more than teachers about popular music, the pack shows how to turn this information gap into an advantage by exploiting pupils' knowledge and enthusiasm.

The pupil is encouraged to become objective about what goes into their ears, and learn how a third rate song can be turned into a multi-million pound hit.

The resource pack breaks down the music industry institution, offering schemes of work for each section. These include examining videos for style and content, CD covers and packaging, merchandising, adverts, target audiences, ideology, and synergy. Under the heading 'Ideology and Moral Panic' , students are asked to examine lyrics and band image.

The Music Industry Pack deals with the way the market is divided between record companies, differences between major and indies, the process of discovering new acts, image creation, music press, advertising, target audiences. The links between TV programmes, radio music shows and bands is looked at, and the playlist system explained.

The pack provides interesting homework and group activities, enabling the student to appreciate all the jobs involved in producing a CD, visit record outlets to compare price and range, look at material positioning and display, listen to new releases to gauge target audience, consider band image and lyrics, and become aware of the subtleties involved in TV listings, genres, and timing of broadcast. The threat of the net, its advantages and disadvantages for artistes and audience, is examined.

There are case studies (Madonna, Top of the Pops), suggestions for role plays, clear indications of how to produce a new music magazine or press release for a band, discussion points, and check lists, which can be developed or adapted by the teacher. All activities are given with clear guidelines.

The pack includes a short glossary, website addresses and names of music organisations.

This is an excellent resource - easy to access for today's busy teacher, with interesting student activities to enable pupils to become more active consumers, aware of how their musical tastes are manipulated and their consumer power exploited.