Exploring Music Careers

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Lesson Overview

This lesson is designed for Year 13 students studying at an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. With a focus on exposing students to uncommon music-related careers, the lesson engages both academically-driven students and those with minimal interest in music, offering them insights into broader career pathways. The lesson aligns with the IB focus on interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and inquiry-based education.

The curriculum focus ties to UK National Curriculum Areas for Key Stage 5 (Post-16) in Music, particularly in exploring career opportunities, cultural contexts, and developing an appreciation of the arts. Topics such as employability, global outlooks, and localised contexts (e.g., Hong Kong) are incorporated.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand a wide range of career paths available in music.
2. Explore local challenges and trends related to music education in Hong Kong.
3. Challenge misconceptions about music as a viable career choice through analysis and inquiry.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking by connecting music to interdisciplinary fields like technology, therapy, and education.

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Materials Needed

• Handouts (including statistics on music education in Hong Kong, music careers list)
• Online device for interactive survey/Google Forms activity.
• Whiteboard or Smartboard for brainstorming.

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Lesson Plan - 48 Minutes

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1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Objective: To activate prior knowledge and engage students.
• Activity:
  1. Greet the class and set the context for the lesson: "Today, we’re going to discuss something you may not have thought about before: music careers and why music education often gets pushed aside in Hong Kong."
  2. Write the question on the board: “What can you do with a music career? (especially in Hong Kong)”.
     • Allow 2 minutes for students to brainstorm individually and jot down their ideas.
  3. Then, create a quick word cloud on the board (e.g., Performance, DJ, Composer, etc.) from their responses.

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2. Analysing Local Context and Statistics (10 minutes)

• Objective: To provide context on challenges to music education in Hong Kong.
• Activity Plan:
  1. Survey Question: Ask students briefly—“Why do none of you study music formally, or why is music often treated as a side subject?”
  2. Present key statistics:
     • Only 500 students in Hong Kong take the music exam for the HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) annually.
     • IB Music enrolment is even lower, with an average of less than 5 music students per IB school.
     • Most Hong Kong schools cut compulsory music classes after Form 3 (Year 10) due to lack of elective demand.
  3. Facilitate a discussion:
     • "How do these statistics compare to your understanding of music's value?"
     • "Why does this happen, and what do you think we lose as a society when music education is undervalued?"

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3. Uncommon Music Careers (15 minutes)

• Objective: To expand students’ awareness of alternative career paths in music.
• Activity Plan:
  1. Divide the class into 5 groups (around 4-5 students each).
  2. Distribute a career handout listing uncommon career paths, including:
     • Music Therapist (working with special needs, mental health)
     • Audio Engineer (sound design for films, gaming, and live events)
     • Musicologist (academic researcher or historian)
     • Corporate Music Consultant (brand soundscaping, advertising, social media)
     • Video Game Sound Designer
     • Music Entrepreneur (creating platforms like Spotify, event management).
  3. Ask each group to choose one role and create a 1-minute pitch summarising:
     • The role’s purpose.
     • How music skills are applied.
     • What skills (other than music) are needed.
  4. Groups present their pitches briefly to the class.

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4. Critical Reflection & Interdisciplinary Connections (10 minutes)

• Objective: To show how music relates to other fields and prompt deeper thinking.
• Activity Plan:
  1. Write the question on the board: “What would happen if all music disappeared tomorrow?”
  2. Use examples to guide reflections:
     • "How would films, games, or TV be different?"
     • "What might happen to therapy or mental health treatments without music?"
     • "How crucial is music to human culture and history?"
  3. Have students discuss in pairs for 2 minutes, then share responses with the class.
  4. Introduce examples of interdisciplinary careers, e.g.:
     • Neuroscience (Music & Brain Studies).
     • Artificial Intelligence (Music Algorithm Development).
     • Linguistics (using music to teach languages).

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5. Lesson Wrap-Up and Final Survey (8 minutes)

• Objective: To consolidate learning and gather feedback.
• Activity Plan:
  1. Conduct a quick online survey or Google Form:
     • Question 1: “Has this lesson changed your view on music careers? Why or why not?”
     • Question 2: “What skills could music careers teach you that are useful in other professions?”
  2. Recap key takeaways:
     • Broad spectrum of music careers.
     • Larger societal trends (like in Hong Kong) that undervalue music education.
  3. Offer an optional challenge:
     • "Research one music career we didn’t discuss today and discover something unexpected about that role.”

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Assessment and Homework

• Formative: Assess students’ critical thinking skills via group pitches and survey responses.
• Homework: Reflective writing piece (300 words): “Can music education create skills transferrable to non-musical careers? Support your view with examples.”

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Be cautious not to alienate students uninterested in music—highlight transferable skills like teamwork, creativity, and discipline as key to success beyond music.
• Keep the lesson upbeat and engaging by relating music careers to modern, relatable industries (gaming, AI, etc.).
• If possible, invite a local professional in an uncommon music field for added impact.

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This plan ensures depth, engagement, and relevance while also encouraging students to critically reflect on the importance of music beyond performance.