PATHWAYS IN MUSICIANSHIP B: PERFORMANCE AND COMPOSITION - 2022/3

Module Overview

The basic purpose of this module is to facilitate a flexible approach to improving your musicianship in semester two by offering separate and joint pathways in performance and composition. You will continue studying the same instrument/voice as in semester one and/or study composition using tonal and modal techniques. Performing and/or composing skills are learned and employed in practical situations through the preparation and presentation of your own performances, composition exercises and pieces. The module will enable you to develop skills in working creatively with melodic and harmonic elements and techniques in tonal/modal music and writing for instruments in live contexts. Opportunities for collaboration are built into the module so that composers and performers can learn about each others' craft and how to work together for mutual benefit. The module will enable you to develop basic independent learning skills in your individual instrumental/vocal discipline, and to expand your performing skills as both a solo and an ensemble performer. You will also develop practical skills in and understanding of event management. You will learn how to report accurately and cogently on your management and performance activities and on musical events organised by the Department.

If you opt for performance or performance and arrangement you are required to take tuition in a single instrument/voice only, and you may not change that discipline without re-auditioning. Such re-auditions will only take place between academic years, and if you wish to re-audition you must inform the Module Leader by the end of the preceding July. The assumption is that you will continue with the same instrument, style and tutor as you were having at the preceding level.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

ARMSTRONG Thomas (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None beyond meeting the required standard on entry to your programme. 

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• techniques for working creatively with melodic and harmonic elements of tonal/modal music


• the analysis and discussion of existing compositions in a variety of styles


• performance/recordings of practical work in class


• idiomatic instrumental writing


• experience of composer/performer collaboration 


• learning and preparing new instrumental/vocal repertoire oriented towards the development of instrumental technique


• performing that repertoire in concerts and seminars, and if appropriate, in studio recordings


• learning new technical skills appropriate to you, and consolidating previously-learned skills


• learning a basic range of skills in event management


• learning and performing repertoire for choir/chamber choir/orchestra


• effective techniques for observation, reporting and documenting your management, performance and concert-going activities.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual components of online folio replaced by written coursework not to exceed 1500 words (for the folio as a whole)

Assessment Strategy

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

• a core level of technical competence in tonal/modal composition (LO1,2)


• a core level of experience of collaboration in both music creation and performance (LO3,4,6,7)


• a core level of technical and musical competence in performance (LO5,6,8)


• a core level of experience in a large ensemble, to include aural skills development (LO7)


• a core level of competence in observation, reporting and documentation techniques (LO10)

• Solo performance and/or composition (the content of this varies according to pathway):
  
  
  
  • a performance in private playing a solo piece/s (LO1,5,6). You have the option of submitting a 300 word commentary to the examiners outlining what you consider to be the most important interpretative features of the programme you will be presenting
  
  
  • a folio of composition exercises completed during the module (LO1,2,3)
  
  
  • composition and performance of a tonal/modal ensemble piece. (LO1,2,3)
  
  
  
  


• Weekly contribution to choir/orchestra/chamber choir/own choice ensemble (LO5,6,7)


• Event management duties (organised on a rota basis throughout the module) (LO9)


• Compilation of an online folio of reviews, concert management and ensemble reports 1500 words in total (LO7,9,10)

• Formative assessment in tonal/modal composition will be delivered by exercises and assignments completed for each of the four seminars.


• Rehearsals and discussions with staff and peers


• Formative assessment point for the online folio midway through the module

• instrumental/vocal tutors


• staff (including formal concert feedback)


• accompanists


• conductors


• peers


• self-observation of recordings

Module aims

• develop your confidence and ability in working creatively with tonal/modal materials
• introduce you to a range of techniques for tonal/modal composition by studying examples composed in a range of styles
• deepen your knowledge of composing for your own instrument in a live context
• develop your knowledge of composing for other instruments and performers in a live context
• develop a range of basic skills and techniques appropriate to working on your instrument/voice, i) practising and performance strategies and ii) self-confidence through thorough preparation
• develop your skills and perceptions as both solo and ensemble performer, i) awareness while performing, ii) communication with your audience, iii) coping with performance anxiety
• extend your aural skills
• develop critical listening skills
• increase your knowledge of repertoire
• identify good practice in event management to enable you to contribute effectively as part of a team.
• report accurately on musical events attended using appropriate technical language
• encourage collaboration between composers and performers so that the former can develop their knowledge of instrumental/vocal idiom and the latter can gain experience of working with composers to develop their ideas

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• develop your ability to work creatively with melodic and harmonic elements of tonal/modal music


• develop your confidence in writing for your own instrument and help you to write effectively for other instruments


• develop your ability to collaborate with your peers, either performers or composers


• develop your ability to think about and explain your working methods and performance decisions


• develop your instrumental/vocal skills


• develop your awareness of a range of professional activities (eg recording, and concerts)


• develop your aural and listening skills


• develop practical skills in event management


• develop your observation, reporting and documentation skills


• develop your ensemble skills 

• one-to-one lessons on your instrument/voice


• weekly lectures and/or seminars


• individual practice and coaching


• private study


• observation of concerts given by peers


• observation of concerts given by professional performers


• observation of and participation in event management


• rehearsals with choir/orchestra


• rehearsals and coaching of unconducted repertoire


• private listening related to your instrumental studies


• class session on writing about performance (criticism)


• tutorials.

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: MUS1036

Programmes this module appears in

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 2022/3 academic year.