PERFORMANCE B - 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. The creative skills you learn will also contribute to your learning in other modules. All students learn from lectures and seminars given by the module leader and occasional invited speakers who represent a range of sectors within the music industry. At Department events you will witness live performance at first hand. You will be required to attend rehearsals and concerts as outlined in the appropriate handbooks, and will be expected to play a full part in the musical life of the Department. In addition to your assessed performance you will be encouraged to perform a significant solo or small ensemble item in a major Department concert (eg Wednesday lunchtime concert) on an unassessed basis. Your assessment will take place in a public concert.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

MCGRATH John (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content for this module includes:

• Learning and preparing new repertoire


• Performing that repertoire in concerts, workshops and seminars


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


• Learning about research in performance, and how to apply it


• Learning about various research sources used in creative exploration of performative materials


• Developing a wide range of effective independent learning skills


• Making studio recordings if appropriate


• Reflecting on the experiences of your practical work


• Learning how to contextualise your recital in an effective programme note

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

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:

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


• an ability to think critically and to reflect on their practical work (LO5-6)

The written work on the module allows students to contextualise their aesthetic approach both through the production of an effective programme note and a reflective artist's statement. This approach assesses knowledge and reflective skills, as well as students’ ability to accurately and appropriately explain how and why they performed their chosen repertoire in the way they did.

Thus, 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 15 minutes (LO1-4) with a compulsory programme note. 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


• A 1000-word written account (LO5-6) comprising an artist's statement reflecting on your repertoire choices and contextualising your work effectively

Formative assessment 

• you are encouraged 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 (feedback sessions after lunchtime recitals)


• evening concerts with Departmental and/or student-run ensembles

Feedback is provided by

• instrumental/vocal tutors


• staff (lunchtime concert feedback sessions)


• accompanists


• conductors 


• peers (lunchtime concert feedback sessions)


• 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 advanced 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
• Develop knowledge of different performance practices in all types of music
• Develop knowledge and practical understanding of the main methodologies and sources that can be used in performance, such as identification and evaluation of a range of source materials
• Further extend your aural skills
• Develop critical listening skills
• Increase your knowledge of repertoire and original / innovative arrangement; you will be strongly encouraged to develop your repertoire interests beyond the conventional
• Encourage reflective learning and writing
• Develop your ability to contextualise your recital in an effective programme note

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• extend and refine your awareness of performance practices


• extend and refine your performance strategies


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


• extend and refine your technical and interpretative skills


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


• extend your aural and listening skills


• extend and consolidate your independent learning skills


• enrich your reflective skills


• enrich the ability to contextualise your performance


• inform and stimulate discussion and debate between performance students at all levels 

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 and receiving peer feedback 


• learning from other performers and musicians by: attending ‘Music Professional Practice’ careers-focused sessions, attending rehearsals and concerts put on by students and occasional visitors to the Department


• masterclasses and taught seminars


• private listening related to your instrumental studies


• class sessions on reflective practice


• 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: MUSM040

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 large or small ensembles. 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 transferrable, extremely valuable to employers in a range of jobs across many different sectors.

Global and cultural capabilities: Students on the module are encouraged 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. Occasional guest artists visiting the department to give professional practice/careers talks, masterclasses and performances will bring their individual cultural ‘selves’ and, when planning events, the Department endeavours to represent a broad range of musical cultures; through the teaching and learning activities on the module students have the opportunity to interact with all these visitors.

Digital capabilities: Students will access module resources online via the SurreyLearn VLE. Students will prepare both a programme note and a written essay that documents their engagement and learning over the semester. Images and design are key components of an effective programme note.

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.