PERFORMANCE 3B - 2023/4

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop advanced independent learning skills in your individual instrumental/vocal discipline, and to expand further your performing skills and experience as a performer. You will also develop practical skills in co-ordination of performance/event management. Your writing skills will be expanded to include reflective writing that connects your reviews of performances put on by the Department with your own development as a musician. The creative skills you learn will also contribute to your learning in other modules and your knowledge of repertoire will be broadened by attending performances put on by the Department.

We are unable to take more than a very limited number of students for the conducting options within this module in order to be able to offer suitable opportunities for practical work with ensembles. Selection of students for these options will be on the basis of assessment marks for the conducting assessment at level 5; and a presentation made to the Director of Conducting and one other member of staff.

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

MCGRATH John (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Pre-requisite for instrumentalists/singers: none Pre-requisite for conductors: a mark averaging at least 60% in the conducting assessment of MUS2049 Performance 2A and MUS2050 Performance 2B and the permission of the Module Leader. Students taking this option would normally have done both of these re-requisite modules. Students wishing to take this module without taking MUS3065 Performance 3A and who intend taking the conducting options are strongly urged to attend conducting classes in semester 1 as non-participants.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• learning and preparing new repertoire


• performing that repertoire in concerts and workshops


• studio recordings if appropriate


• developing a wide range of effective independent learning skills


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


• gaining further skills in and experience of event management by co-ordinating teams of students in such duties


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


• acquiring the reflective skills needed to make links between music you have reviewed in the Department and your own development as a performer


• reflecting on the experiences of your practical work and performances by visiting artists

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Conducting only (if taken) replaced with written coursework of 2500 words. Conducting assessment (if taken jointly with performance) replaced with written coursework of 1500 words. Individual items in Online Folio replaced with written work up to 2500 words (for the whole folio).

Assessment Strategy

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

• a high level of technical and musical competence in performance (LO1-3, 5)


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


• an ability to function responsibly and professionally co-ordinating a small team in event management or in managing and ensemble (LO6)


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


• an ability to review and reflect on performances attended by visiting artists and how these have contributed to your own development as a musician (LO7)

• a 12-15 minute public performance as a soloist, accompanist, ensemble member or conductor (LO1-3, 5) with the option of submitting a 300 word commentary outlining what you consider to be the most important interpretative features of your programme OR


• a 7-8 minute public performance as a soloist, accompanist or ensemble member AND a further 7-8 minute public performance as a conductor (LO1-3, 5) with the option of submitting a 300 word commentary outlining what you consider to be the most important interpretative features of your programme/s 


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


• event management duties (LO6)


• an online folio of reviews, management and ensemble reports 2500 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


• formative assessment point for Online Folio midway through semester

• instrumental/vocal tutors


• staff (lunchtime concert feedback)


• accompanists


• conductors


• peers


• self-observation of recordings

Module aims

• Develop a range of advanced skills and techniques appropriate to your instrument/voice or conducting: i) practising 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
• Encourage reflective learning
• Develop good practice in event management to enable you to co-ordinate a small team effectively
• review events attended and reflect on how these may inform your own approach to performance

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• develop and consolidate your instrumental/vocal/conducting 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


• develop and consolidate your reviewing skills


• develop your reflective skills

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


• conducting classes (for conductors only)


• individual practice and coaching (as agreed with your 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 studies


• conducting concerts


• class sessions on reflective practice and reviewing (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: MUS3066

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.