PERFORMANCE 2B - 2024/5

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the main methodologies in applied performance research, advance individual learning/preparation skills in the context of your instrument/voice, and develop performing experience. 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 module builds resilience, as you reflect on your work as performers, ensemble members and managers at Departmental concerts, identifying what went well and what could be improved. The creative skills you learn will also contribute to your learning in other modules and the reviewing skills will broaden your knowledge of repertoire. The module is delivered through a series of lectures and seminars (alongside individual instrumental or vocal lessons), in which all ranges of music will be represented, as well as different historical and research aspects of performance practices. Performance opportunities in seminars will help to develop confidence in performance. Some seminars may be given by invited speakers representing a range of sectors within the music industry. Writing reviews of professional concerts allows you to witness high level performance at first hand and judge its level of success.   

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

MCGRATH John (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 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Students wishing to take this module without taking MUS2049 Performance 2A and who intend taking conducting options in level 6 Performance modules are strongly urged to attend conducting classes in semester 1 as non-participants.  

Module content

Indicative content for this module includes:

• learning about research in performance and how to apply it


• learning about various research sources for the creative exploration of performative materials


• learning and preparing new repertoire


• performing that repertoire in seminars, concerts and workshops


• 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 / management


• reviewing concerts


• basic conducting techniques and skills 


• making studio recordings appropriate with appropriate support when available 

 

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 allow students to demonstrate the level of musicianship they have acquired by the conclusion of the module. Assessment is focused heavily around practical music-making activities. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate:

• an intermediate level of technical and musical competence in performance including informed interpretation (classical) / an example of original music or innovative arrangement (pop) (LO1-3, 5)


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


• an ability to function responsibly and professionally leading a small team in event management (LO4)


• an ability to think critically and to reflect on their practical work (LO2)


• an ability to use musical technical and descriptive language in the process of making persuasive judgements (LO6)


• a basic level of skill in conducting (LO1)

Not all performing is directly assessed; for example, students’ contribution to ensemble music-making is assessed via reporting on their activity and gathering suitable evidence of their participation; concert management is assessed in the same way. The written work on the module is, therefore, always focused on describing an activity that students have taken part in and documented; this approach assesses knowledge and reflective skills, as well as students’ ability to accurately and appropriately explain how something was done.

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• a performance in public playing repertoire as a soloist or an accompanist or an ensemble member for 10-12 minutes (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. NB If offering group performance as an ensemble each player will receive the same mark. Pop performers should include at least original piece or innovative arrangement.


• an online portfolio of reviews, management and ensemble reports 2000 words in total (LO2, 4, 6)


• conducting a small ensemble in a set exercise (LO1) 

Formative assessment 

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


• event management duties (LO4)

• you are encouraged to give at least one performance on your main study instrument in a concert or workshop before your assessment (every student is allocated a lunchtime recital slot by the module leader)


• rehearsals and discussion with staff and peers (timetabled feedback sessions after lunchtime recitals)

Feedback is provided by

• module leader


• instrumental/vocal tutors


• staff (at lunchtime concert feedback sessions)


• peers (at lunchtime concert feedback sessions)


• accompanists


• conductors 


• self-observation of recordings 


• the module lecturers and/or module leader will be happy to offer feedback on drafts of written work and online folios via email or in tutorials

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) communication with your audience; iii) coping with performance anxiety
• Further extend your aural skills
• Develop critical listening skills
• iIncrease 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
• Develop knowledge of different performance practices in all types of music
• Develop knowledge and practical understanding of main methodologies and sources that can be used in performance, such as identification and evaluation of a range of source materials

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 performance practices


• develop your live performance strategies


• develop your understanding of research in performance, and writing about performance practices


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


• 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

The learning and teaching methods include

• lectures and seminars


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


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


• private study as required


• observation of rehearsals and concerts given by peers, providing peer feedback and learning from your peers


• learning from professional musicians by: attending ‘Music Professional Practice’ sessions, attending rehearsals and concerts in the Department


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


• rehearsing and coaching of conducted repertoire


• masterclasses and taught seminars


• private listening related to your instrumental studies


• class session on writing reviews (music criticism)


• use of the University’s VLE ‘SurreyLearn’ to host lecture content and additional resources to support students in becoming independent learners.   

 

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: MUS2050

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing employability, digital skills, global and culture awareness, sustainability as it relates to music and the wider arts and, finally, resourcefulness and resilience.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module builds resourcefulness by challenging students to further their musical knowledge and techniques. Musicians have to be resilient - learning an instrument involves overcoming technical difficulties and managing the stress of performing to an audience whether of peers or the public; practising involves solving problems through informed experiment and hard work; having a productive relationship with a teacher involves being able to accept and act on constructive criticism of your playing/singing. Within the Department there are musicians of many different levels all of whom need to be aware of their own and each other’s’ strengths and weaknesses as they work together in performance.

Employability: This module also builds vital employability attributes by presenting students with many opportunities to work together as performers in a large or small ensembles and as concert managers. These experiences teach the importance of listening, of communicating effectively, of knowing when to take the initiative, of being cooperative and reliable, of being patient and tolerant of difference. Such ‘people skills’ are transferable and extremely valuable to employers in a range of jobs across many different sectors.

Global and cultural capabilities: Students on the module are required to engage with a wide range of repertoire from different musical cultures ranging from folk music, to jazz, pop and the Western classical tradition. The module encourages students to value the musical resources of different cultures and investigate ways in which they can interact to create convincing hybrids rather than viewing them as exclusive. Guest artists usually visit the department to give professional practice/careers talks, masterclasses and performances bringing with them their individual cultural ‘selves’; when planning events, the Department endeavours to represent a broad range of musical cultures.

Digital capabilities: Students will access module resources online via the SurreyLearn VLE. Students will prepare an online folio via Padlet (or similar) that showcases their engagement and learning over the semester. Such documentation is easily transferable to professional CVs and provides a clear resource for continuous self-reflection and improvement.

Additional Information:

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.

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 2024/5 academic year.