PERFORMANCE 2A - 2023/4

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop more advanced independent learning skills in your individual instrumental/vocal discipline, and to continue to expand your performing skills as both a solo and an ensemble performer.  You will also develop practical skills in learning event management activities and basic skills in conducting. Writing skills enabling you to produce persuasive reviews will be developed. The creative skills you learn will also contribute to your learning in other modules and the reviewing skills will broaden your knowledge of repertoire.

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 & Media

Module Leader

ARMSTRONG Thomas (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Pre-requisite:  none

Module content

Indicative content includes: 

• learning and preparing new repertoire


• performing that repertoire in concerts and workshops


• making studio recordings if appropriate


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


• learning a comprehensive range of skills in event management and leading small teams of students in such duties


• learning and performing repertoire for choir, chamber choir, orchestra or a substitute ensemble


• reflecting on the experiences of your practical work


• reviewing musical events put on by the Department


• basic conducting techniques and skills 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Conducting Skills assessment replaced with written coursework of 1000 words; individual components of the Online Folio replaced with written coursework up to 2000 words in total (for the whole folio)

Assessment Strategy

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

• a core level of technical and musical competence in performance (LO1T3, 5)


• a core level of experience in a large ensemble including aural skills development (LO4) 


• a basic level of skill in conducting (LO8)


• an ability to function responsibly and professionally leading a small team in event management (LO6)


• an ability to think critically and to reflect on their practical work (LO3, 7)


• an ability to use musical technical and descriptive language in the process of making persuasive judgements (LO7)

• a performance in public playing repertoire as a soloist or an accompanist or an ensemble member for 10-12 minutes (LO1T3, 5) with the option of submitting a 300 word commentary outlining what you consider to be the most important interpretative features of your programme. NB If offering group performance as an ensemble each player will receive the same mark.


• conducting a small ensemble in a set exercise (LO8) 


• weekly contribution to a departmental or substitute ensemble (LO4-5)


• event management duties (LO6)


• an online portfolio of reviews, management and ensemble reports 2000 words in total (LO4, 6-7)

• you are required to give at least one performance on your main study instrument in a concert or workshop before your assessment


• rehearsals and discussion with staff and peers

• instrumental/vocal tutors


• staff (lunchtime concert feedback)


• accompanists


• conductors 


• peers


• self-observation of recordings 


• formative assessment point for online folio midway through semester

Module aims

• develop a range of intermediate skills and techniques appropriate to working on your instrument/voice: i) practice and performance strategies; ii) self-confidence through thorough preparation
• develop your skills and perceptions as a solo and/or ensemble performer: i) awareness while performing; ii) communicating with your audience, iii) coping with performance anxiety
• further extend your aural skills
• develop critical listening skills
• increase your knowledge of repertoire
• develop basic skills in conducting
• encourage reflective learning
• develop good practice in event management to enable you to lead a small team effectively
• review musical events attended using appropriate technical and descriptive language

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• develop and consolidate your instrumental/vocal skills


• develop your awareness of a full range of professional activities (e.g. making recordings, giving concerts)


• develop your aural and listening skills


• develop and consolidate your ensemble skills


• develop and consolidate your independent learning skills


• introduce basic conducting skills


• develop and consolidate your ability to write technically and descriptively about music performance

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


• individual practice and coaching (as agreed with our instrumental/vocal tutor)


• private study as required


• observation of rehearsals and concerts given by peers


• observation of rehearsals and concerts given by professional performers


• rehearsing with choir, chamber choice, orchestra or a substitute ensemble


• rehearsing and coaching of unconducted repertoire


• performance seminars comprising:
  
  
  
  • masterclasses and taught sessions
  
  
  
  


• private listening related to your instrumental studies


• conducting concerts


• class session on writing reviews (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: MUS2049

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 2023/4 academic year.