Applied Learning 2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Item Description
1. Course Title Popular Music Production
2. Course Provider Hong Kong College of Technology
3. Area of Studies/
Course Cluster
Creative Studies/Media Arts
4. Medium of Instruction
Chinese
5. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
(1) explain and analyse popular music production and performance skills through the appreciation of the characteristics of popular music in different periods of various places;
(2) demonstrate teamwork skills, sense of responsibility and positive values through the process of production and performance in popular music;
(3) apply the principles and techniques of arrangement, mixing and recording to produce music with different melody and style;
(4) recognise the work ethics of music practitioner and demonstrate the respect for copyright;
(5) apply marketing strategy skills to promote music projects;
and
(6) develop self-understanding for further studies and career development in the related field.
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6. Curriculum Map – Organisation and Structure
Module 1: Introduction to Pop Music (30 hours)
Overview of Pop Music Industry
Basic Music Theory
Relationship between Pop Music and Cultural and Historical Development
Appreciation and Analysis of Pop Music
Module 2: Knowledge of Pop Music Performance (40 hours)
Introduction to Stage Equipment
Accompaniment and Singing Skills
Individual Stage Performance Skills
Group Stage Performance Skills
Module 3: Basic Pop Music Creation (50 hours)
Pop Music Creation
Writing Chords and Melody Skills
Song Styles and Characteristic of Musical Instrument
Knowledge and Skills of Pop Music Arrangement
Work Ethics and Copyright Issue
Module 4: Mixing and Recording Skills (40 hours)
Basic Knowledge of Mixing Software
Understanding of Music Production Software
Application of Mixing Skills
Application of Recording Skills
Module 5: Pop Music Promotion (20 hours)
Relationship between Creative Arts and Commerce
Resource and Financial Management for Creative Industries
Online Marketing Strategy for Promoting Music
Graduation Performance
7. The Context
The information on possible study and career pathways is provided to enhance students’ understanding of the wider context of the specific Applied Learning course. Students who have successfully completed Applied Learning courses have to meet other entry requirements as specified by the institutions.
The recognition of Applied Learning courses for admission to further studies and career opportunities is at the discretion of relevant institutions. The Education Bureau and the course providers of Applied Learning are exploring and seeking recognition related to further education and career development opportunities for students successfully completing the Applied Learning courses.
Possible further study and career pathways Further studies
e.g. music, musicals and stage arts
Career development
e.g. music performer, composer, arranger, music tutor, sound mixer, production assistant, music director, music producer, music publisher
Relations with core subjects and other elective subjects
Enhancing and enriching, e.g.
enhance the understanding and appreciation of different music creations, performances and cultures of Music through the popular music performance and production
Cross-fertilisation, e.g.
deepen the understanding of importance of intellectual property in the Internet in Information and Communication Technology through music production
Expanding horizons, e.g.
enhance the knowledge of sound engineering and architectural sound design in Physics by studying basic music theory and mixing techniques
Consolidating and synergising students’
studies, e.g.
through participation in the project, students have a broader view, develop and strengthen relevant knowledge and skills acquired
Cluster of professions/trades/industries related to the course Creative Industry (Musical Stage Production/Music TV/Multimedia Production)
e.g. music performer, music producer, music director Administrative Professions
e.g. arts executives Teaching Professions
e.g. music tutors
Relations with other areas of studies/
courses of Applied Learning
Creative Studies
students taking courses related to Performing Arts can apply the knowledge in music production for dance technology and performance
students taking courses related to Media Arts can employ different mixing techniques for creation of computer games and animation
Media and Communication
students taking courses related to Films, TV and Broadcasting Studies can create music arrangement and sound mixing for audio production
Future global and local outlook
Global Music Report announced by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) shows that the global music sales and music revenue from streaming platforms are considerable
there is a booming development in the music market (including the traffic in music streaming) in Hong Kong and the Mainland
as one of the creative industries, the music industry has continuously attracted youths to join the industry
Beginners’ skill set to facilitate entry to further studies and/or work
appreciate the history and cultural characteristics of popular music in different periods of various places, and demonstrate the respect for copyright
demonstrate the music production skills by using music software skills
demonstrate music creativity in production and performance
understand the basics of music market strategy and resource management to promote music projects
Foundation knowledge developed in junior secondary education and Secondary 4 The course is built upon the foundation knowledge students acquired in, e.g.
Chinese Language Education and English Language Education – reading, writing, listening, speaking, literature, communication skills
Arts Education – creativity and imagination, music skills and processes, critical responses in music, music in context
Personal, Social and Humanities Education – moral and social values
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Applied Learning
2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Learning and Teaching Course Title ： Popular Music Production
Area of Studies ： Creative Studies
Course Provider ： Hong Kong College of Technology
In Popular Music Production, student-centred learning and teaching activities are designed to enable students to understand fundamental theories and concepts, develop their generic skills, and address their career aspirations in popular music production industry.
Different modes of activities are employed to provide students with a systematic understanding about the context (e.g. lecture on appreciation of popular music) and eye- opening opportunities to experience the complexity of the context (e.g. field visits to professional studios, visit to performance venue and meeting with music producers and professionals, so as to deepen students’ understanding of the music industry).
Students acquire an understanding of the requirements, fundamental knowledge and skills essential for further learning within the area through learning-by-practising opportunities in an authentic or near-authentic environment (e.g. use professional music software and hardware for music creation in a professional studio, so as to further understand the knowledge and skills required in the industry).
Students are also encouraged to develop and apply conceptual, practical and reflective skills to demonstrate entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. in a case study, students appreciate local and international popular music in different periods, and compare different song styles to create their own music and performance style). Students are given opportunities to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired and consolidate their learning (e.g. in a final project, students create their own music for individual or group performance and sketch an online marketing strategy plan to promote the music project).
Applied Learning 2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Curriculum Pillars of Applied Learning in Context – Popular Music Production
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- explain and analyse popular music production and performance skills through the appreciation of the characteristics of popular music in different periods of various places;
- demonstrate teamwork skills, sense of responsibility and positive values through the process of production and performance in popular music;
- apply the principles and techniques of arrangement, mixing and recording to produce music with different melody and style;
- recognise the work ethics of music practitioner and demonstrate the respect for copyright;
- apply marketing strategy skills to promote music projects; and
- develop self-understanding for further studies and career development in the related field.
Through the specific contexts related to the course, students have different learning opportunities, for example:
1. Career-related Competencies
- understand the development trend of local and global popular music;
- demonstrate practical skills in re-arranging songs with different styles by analysing the melody and applying the understanding of characteristics of different musical instruments;
- integrate the knowledge and skills in music production for creation and performance; and
- demonstrate professional attitude in the music production process.
2. Foundation Skills
- apply information technology skills by using music software to arrange music of different melodies and styles;
- communicate effectively with the practitioners by using appropriate terminology of the music industry to express the ideas; and
- strengthen written and verbal communication skills through sketching marketing strategy plans for music projects and conducting oral presentation.
3. Thinking Skills
- demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making skills in handling unexpected situations in impromptu music performance;
- demonstrate creative thinking ability through arrangement and music interpretation; and
- demonstrate analytical thinking skills in evaluating the effectiveness of online marketing strategies, and identify the most appropriate and cost-effective promotion strategies in music projects.
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4. People Skills
- demonstrate interpersonal skills and collaboration skills during music rehearsals and performances;
- demonstrate teamwork skills through group music performance; and
- demonstrate self-reflection skills through responding to the feedback of tutors in different learning activities (e.g. music performance, production and recording).
5. Values and Attitudes
- show respect to the originality and copyrights of music by appreciating the creation of local and international popular music in different periods; and
- understand the work ethics related to the music creation industry.
