ADVANCED CONDUCTING - 2020/1

Module code: MUSM038

Module Overview

This module helps you to develop and deepen your skills as a conductor to a professional level, develop your maturity as a musician, and give you a sense of self-assurance and stamina when leading ensembles in rehearsals and performances of demanding repertoire. In addition to your assessed performance you will be required to perform at least three times during the module on an unassessed basis; and you will be expected to take a lead in the musical life of the Department. 

The assessment will take place in a public concert. 

All students on this module are encouraged to give the first performance of a new work, and are encouraged to work with composers to this end.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

MCGRATH John (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 35

Independent Learning Hours: 380

Tutorial Hours: 20

Practical/Performance Hours: 15

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: Conducting A and B; Orchestral Management A and B; the permission of the Module Convenor.

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • Study of beating patterns and how to move between complex changing metres

  • Detailed study of the essentials of harmonic, textural and formal analysis

  • Aural exploration of a range of different musical styles.

  • Shaping of musical structures through gesture.

  • Study of historical examples of conductors at work


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment ASSESSED 25-MINUTE PERFORMANCE 75
Coursework 3000-WORD WRITTEN WORK 15
Oral exam or presentation VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION 10

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

Conducting skills, professional and relevant knowledge of the discipline.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • 10-minute performance (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 8)

  • 1000-Word Written Work (LO 5. 6)

  • Viva (LO 6)



Feedback

Formative feedback is provided throughout the module and detailed feedback is provided for the summative components.

Module aims

  • To develop your skills as a conductor to a professional level in preparation for leading ensembles with maturity, authority and control in a wide range of complex and challenging repertoire.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Demonstrate - to a professional standard - a full and secure range of technical and interpretational skills appropriate to the repertoire KP
002 Develop new skills and techniques where necessary in the preparation of repertoire, demonstrating effective and analytical learning techniques KP
003 Apply such new skills in repertoire not actually studied without guidance KP
004 Display a professional level of communication and authority in performance with ease, fluency, control, musical awareness and accuracy PT
005 Understand and make appropriate use of all research resources in the preparation of repertoire CT
006 Participate in informed discussion about a range of performance issues, with a wide knowledge and in-depth understanding of the range of repertoire available to you KCT
007 Prepare scores in a professional and workman-like manner; read scores fluently and interpret complex orchestral scores. KP
008 Work effectively and with self-assurance leading a range of ensembles

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Develop conducting skills to an advanced level through an understanding of the repertoire, musical components and the practical execution of effective technique.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Conducting seminars

Performance seminars

Coaching

Tutorials

Rehearsals

Concerts

Private score study

Private listening/viewing

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MUSM038

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.