THE ACTOR-MUSICIAN AND MUSIC - 2025/6

Module Overview

In this module, students will develop their solo and ensemble instrumental skills, as well as skills in creating digital media. Weekly practical classes are designed to allow students to develop their approaches and techniques for group rehearsal and individual practice while developing technical ability in their primary and secondary instruments. Material is chosen from a wide range of musical styles and genres, and integration of singing to the musicianship is started here. Alongside this, sessions in a computer lab introduce students to the skills and approaches needed to create digital music and audio in a variety of contexts. There is a strong focus in this module on individual work and preparation in this module so that each student can develop their own approaches to personal practice which will lead to greater confidence in contributing to group music making and collaborating with others.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BAILEY Niall (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Weekly music classes which may include:

• Ensemble Musicianship


• Practical Musicianship


• Digital Media / MacLab


• 1-2-1 Instrumental Tuition


• Group Instrumental Technical Workshops

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate practical evidence of a developing methodology in music and digital media.

The summative assessment for this module consists of two coursework submissions and one practical (continuous) assessment. All assessment points address all learning outcomes for this module.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment occurs on a continuous basis, with students receiving feedback on tasks undertaken and work completed both within taught sessions, and independently.

Verbal feedback will be regularly shared with the student throughout the teaching activities.

Feedback

The student will receive written or audio/visual feedback for each of the assessment points upon completion of the module.

Module aims

• Develop a solid understanding of music theory, notation and terminology to enable effective communication and collaboration between actor-musicians and other creatives
• Cultivate technical proficiency and expressiveness on at least one primary instrument
• Encourage confident integration of music performance in theatrical and storytelling contexts
• Foster the ability to work collaboratively within a musical ensemble
• Develop understanding of how music can be used to support or enhance storytelling

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy for this module is designed to place an emphasis on the practical development of skills in individual and ensemble music making as well as music and audio creation. The module is designed to cover a range of style, genres and performances settings to allow the student to be versatile and confident in their demonstration of these skills.

The teaching delivery for this module is a blend of practical classes, personal research, preparation and practice, and peer learning, all of which will allow the student time and space to critically reflect on their own practice and development of skills which will underpin the interdisciplinary nature of their studies and future work.

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: AMT1018

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities

Throughout the programme students will be required to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy, to support their learning journey, and to explore and secure employment opportunities.Students will use specialist software to create digital and promotional content, and they will use a range of sharing platforms and social media to share this content with industry professionals and creative peers as appropriate. Students will also use traditional software and other digital technologies to undertake communication, administration, and planning.

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout this programme to nurture career ready graduates that will be sought after by employers in the creative industries. Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working from the studio, to rehearsal, to public performance mirroring professional practice. Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. Students will engage with a range of industry stakeholders who are invited to observe classes and attend performances.¿ GSA has a dedicated Director of Employability.

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Students will develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures,¿and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives. With an open mind and a willingness to engage in discussion, students will develop awareness and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives in the characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training. Students will be able to make informed contributions to the current debates in the creative industries. GSA has a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Manager. Students may be signposted to the university's Disability and Neuro-Diversity Service if they have particular needs or are experiencing barriers to individual learning. GSA is committed to making a range of performances accessible.

Resourcefulness & Resilience

In this programme the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in the student acquiring a broad range of resources which they can continue to use throughout the rest of their training and in future employment settings.The nature of the work means the student will learn to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to take on board personal and professional responsibilities. The use of formative and summative feedback will enable the students to build a thorough overview of their individual process and progress. The training features independent and collaborative learning, problem solving, communication, perseverance, stamina, critical thinking, self-management, and an understanding of self-value. Mirroring industry standards students will undertake classes, rehearsals and performance schedules which are in line with expectations for a successful Musical Theatre career.

Sustainability

Throughout the programme, students are encouraged to reflect on the social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact of the work they do as individuals and collectively, and to recognise their shared responsibilities. Students will understand the impact on audiences of the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance. Students will be nurtured as future leaders in sustainability thinking and empowered to take informed decisions and responsible actions that promote the wellbeing of present and future generations. GSA has a strong commitment to working from the studio, to rehearsal, to public performance in the most sustainable way possible.

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 2025/6 academic year.