Dance & Performing Arts

    International School of Musicians
    Vocational

    Specification: 610/7088/9

    The INTERNATIONAL-SCHOOL-OF-MUSICIANS Vocational Dance & Performing Arts specification covers 20 topics with 23 learning objectives (610/7088/9). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

    This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

    20

    Units

    23

    Learning Outcomes

    74

    Assessment Guidance

    81

    Key Skills

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    Key Features

    • Master key concepts
    • Develop exam technique
    • Apply knowledge effectively

    Common Exam Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

    • •Lack of variety in techniques or subject matter.
    • •Not reflecting on the creative process or outcomes.
    • •Presenting work that is disjointed or lacks a clear theme.
    • •Learners often overload the brush with too much paint, leading to uncontrolled blobs and loss of fine detail.
    • •A frequent error is failing to clean the brush between colours, resulting in muddy mixing directly on the paper or palette unintentionally.
    • •Many students at this level do not let layers dry before applying more paint, causing smudging and unintended blending.
    • •Forgetting to plan compositions can lead to disjointed or unbalanced images; learners may start painting without considering the whole page.
    • •In reflection, learners often describe only what they did rather than why they made choices or what they learned.

    Top Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for exam success

    • •Experiment with different painting styles and techniques.
    • •Keep a sketchbook to document ideas and reflections.
    • •Ensure your final presentation is well-organised and clearly communicates your intentions.
    • •Practice brushstrokes on scrap paper before starting each painting session to gain control and confidence with the medium.
    • •Build a collection of colour-mixing swatches in your sketchbook; this evidence of exploration can directly support higher marks.
    • •When presenting your final portfolio, include a short written statement or recorded commentary that explains your theme, your creative choices, and how your skills developed.
    • •Use your mistakes as learning points: document in your sketchbook how you solved problems, which demonstrates reflective awareness to the assessor.
    • •Keep all your practice work and experiments; a substantial body of work, even with imperfections, shows commitment and progression.

    Qualification Units

    20 units

    How this qualification is graded

    Vocational qualifications are marked against criteria, not an exam percentage. Each unit is assessed across three bands - build up from Pass by applying your knowledge to realistic workplace scenarios.

    Pass

    Accurately describe and explain the core knowledge for the unit and link it to the given scenario.

    Merit

    Apply and analyse that knowledge in detail, showing why it matters in the workplace context.

    Distinction

    Evaluate and justify decisions, weigh up alternatives and make well-reasoned professional recommendations.

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 2]

    This topic requires learners to demonstrate technical skills in painting, create original artwork exploring ideas and themes, and show artistic understanding and reflective awareness. The final body of work should be coherent and presented appropriately.

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 2]

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Visual Arts - Painting [Step 2]

    This element focuses on developing foundational painting skills at Entry Level 3, where learners produce a small body of original artwork that demonstrates basic technical competence with materials like acrylics or watercolours. Through practical exploration of simple themes or stylistic ideas, students learn to handle brushes, mix colours, and apply paint to create recognisable imagery or abstract designs. The work culminates in a presented portfolio that shows intentional mark-making, creative decision-making, and a reflective commentary on the process and outcomes.

    ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Step 2]

    1 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 5]

    This element requires candidates to produce a coherent collection of paintings that demonstrates competent handling of painting materials and techniques appropriate to Grade 5, while exploring a personal theme or concept. Work should evidence a developing artistic voice through considered exploration of compositional, stylistic, and conceptual ideas, supported by reflective annotation or a working journal showing creative decision-making.

    ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 5]

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 3]

    This subtopic centres on the production of original paintings at Grade 3 standard, requiring candidates to demonstrate controlled technical skills such as accurate colour mixing, deliberate brushwork, and compositional awareness. It encourages exploration of diverse ideas and stylistic approaches, resulting in a coherent body of work that reveals personal artistic intent. Integrated reflective practice ensures learners can articulate their creative decisions, forming a holistic assessment of their practical and conceptual growth.

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 3]

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 8]

    This element centres on the production of a cohesive portfolio of paintings that showcases advanced technical skills, conceptual depth, and reflective practice. Learners are expected to develop and present original artwork that explores diverse ideas and stylistic approaches, culminating in a body of work that demonstrates sustained artistic investigation and clear creative intention.

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 8]

    1 learning outcomes5 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 7]

    This subtopic focuses on developing advanced painting proficiency at Level 3, requiring learners to produce a cohesive portfolio that showcases technical mastery, conceptual exploration, and reflective practice. It prepares learners for creative industries contexts by emphasising original artistic voice, professional presentation, and the ability to critically articulate creative intentions.

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 7]

    1 learning outcomes7 guidance points

    ISoM Level 7 Fellowship Diploma in Music Teaching - FISoM (Ed)

    This subtopic focuses on advanced music pedagogy at a fellowship level, requiring candidates to demonstrate leadership in curriculum design, expert teaching, and mentoring. It applies scholarly research to evaluate and enhance teaching practice, while contributing to the wider music education community through reflective practice and innovative developments.

    ISoM Level 7 Fellowship Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - FISoM

    1 learning outcomes7 guidance points

    ISoM Level 5 Associate Diploma in Music Teaching - AISoM (Ed)

    This element equips music educators with the skills to design and deliver structured intermediate lessons, integrating technical, musical, and theoretical goals. It emphasizes adaptive teaching methods and detailed feedback, alongside systematic evaluation of learner performance to inform teaching strategies. Through reflective practice and engagement with research, educators develop targeted professional growth plans to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

    ISoM Level 5 Associate Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - AISoM

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Visual Arts - Painting [Step 1]

    This subtopic introduces foundational painting techniques for entry-level learners, focusing on the practical application of brush control, colour mixing, and basic composition. It guides candidates through the process of generating original visual ideas from simple themes and stylistic inspirations, culminating in a small, coherent body of work that demonstrates emerging technical proficiency, creative exploration, and the ability to reflect on artistic decisions.

    ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Step 1]

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 1]

    This subtopic introduces learners to fundamental painting techniques and creative exploration at Grade 1 level. Students will produce a body of practical work that demonstrates basic brush control, colour mixing, and composition, while exploring personal ideas or themes. The emphasis is on building confidence in handling materials and beginning to articulate artistic choices through simple reflective practice.

    ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 1]

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 6]

    This element requires candidates to produce a coherent body of painting work that showcases technical proficiency, creative exploration of themes, and reflective artistic intent at Grade 6 (Level 3). Learners must demonstrate command of painting techniques such as brushwork, colour mixing, and composition, while developing personal ideas through sustained investigation. The practical application involves preparing a portfolio of original pieces that evidence both skill and conceptual depth, suitable for assessment in a graded examination context.

    ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 6]

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in DJ Performance & Technology - ISoM Cert (DJ)

    This element focuses on the foundational skills of DJ performance and technology, guiding learners through the complete cycle of planning, delivering, analysing, and reflecting on a short set or mix. Learners develop technical competencies in beatmatching, phrasing, and EQ transitions, while also considering audience engagement and energy management. The practical application lies in producing a coherent DJ performance for real or simulated professional contexts, underpinned by reflective practice to drive continuous improvement.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    1 learning outcomes11 guidance points

    ISoM Level 6 Licentiate Diploma in Music Teaching - LISoM (Ed)

    This subtopic focuses on advanced music pedagogy for teaching high-level learners, emphasizing long-term curriculum design, repertoire planning, and exam/performance readiness. It develops sophisticated instructional techniques to diagnose and address complex technical and interpretative issues, utilizing advanced assessment methods and reflective practice informed by research. Successful candidates demonstrate leadership and innovation in their teaching approach, meeting rigorous professional standards.

    ISoM Level 6 Licentiate Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - LISoM

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Music Teaching - DipISoM (Ed)

    This unit focuses on developing the foundational pedagogical skills required for effective music instruction, from lesson planning and differentiated delivery to assessment and reflective practice. It equips aspiring music teachers with the tools to design progressive curricula, engage learners through varied methods, and critically evaluate their own teaching to enhance student outcomes.

    ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - DipISoM

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Visual Arts - Painting [Grade 4]

    This subtopic requires candidates to produce an original body of painted work that demonstrates technical proficiency, creative exploration, and reflective practice. Through a cohesive series, learners must evidence their ability to manipulate paint effectively, experiment with varied themes and stylistic approaches, and critically evaluate their own artistic decisions and outcomes. The work should reflect personal intention and a developmental journey appropriate to Grade 4 level, with clear documentation of process and progress.

    ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 4]

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Anthropology - ISoM Cert (MAnth)

    This subtopic focuses on the practical application of cultural anthropology within performing and creative arts projects. Learners design and deliver a culturally sensitive project, such as a workshop or resource, and then critically reflect on how academic frameworks informed their decisions. The emphasis is on respectful engagement with cultural material, clear communication, and honest self-assessment to improve future practice.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    4 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Business - ISoM Cert (MBus)

    This element introduces foundational music business skills, guiding learners to plan and execute a project such as a release, event, or campaign. It emphasizes practical application of budgeting, promotional strategy, branding, and copyright, while fostering professional communication and evidence-based evaluation. Through reflective practice, students identify strengths and growth areas, developing a proactive mindset for a career in the creative industries.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Production & Technology - ISoM Cert (MPT PP)

    This element introduces learners to the core professional practices of music production, focusing on the cycle of planning, executing, analysing, and reflecting on a studio project. It develops essential skills in session preparation, foundational DAW operation, and critical listening, enabling learners to produce work that meets industry standards. The emphasis is on practical application and self-evaluation to foster continuous improvement in technical and workflow competencies.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Teaching – ISoM Cert (Ed)

    This element equips learners with foundational skills in music pedagogy, focusing on the design and delivery of structured lessons for novice instrumental or vocal students. It emphasises the practical application of teaching techniques, including modelling, clear instruction, and positive classroom management, alongside formative assessment and reflective practice to foster continuous professional development.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    1 learning outcomes7 guidance points

    ISoM Montessori Music Educator Level 3 Extended Certificate (MME Cert)

    This element focuses on equipping learners with the theoretical understanding and practical skills to integrate Montessori pedagogy into music education. It covers the core principles of Montessori philosophy, their direct application to music teaching, and the development of a professional teaching role within the arts. The unit culminates in the creation of a publish-ready research essay, synthesising academic knowledge with reflective practice, preparing educators for innovative, child-centred music instruction.

    ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

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