PERFORMANCE 2A - 2026/7

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is threefold: 1) to develop knowledge and understanding of the main methodologies in applied performance research, 2) to advance individual learning and preparation skills in the context of your instrument or voice, and 3) to cultivate performing experience. Additionally, the module focusses on 1) cultivating practical skills in event management and learning basic conducting techniques; 2) development of writing skills to produce performance reviews; 3) building resilience by reflecting on your work as performers, ensemble members, and managers at Departmental concerts. The creative skills you learn will also contribute to your learning in other modules, while the reviewing skills will broaden your knowledge of different types of repertoires.  The module is delivered through lectures, seminars, and individual instrumental/vocal lessons, covering a range of musical styles, historical contexts, and various research aspects of performance practices of different music types. The module leader will provide feedback on your performance in seminars and departmental concerts, which will help you develop confidence in performance. Additionally, writing concert reviews will allow you to witness high-level performances firsthand and critically evaluate their success.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

STANOVIC Inja (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

None

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 and concerts
• 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 can be replaced with a 1000-word written coursework. Similarly, the Online Folio can be replaced with a 2000-word written coursework.

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 (popular music) (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 (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 basic level of skill in conducting (LO8)

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.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 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. Popular music performers should include at least original piece or innovative arrangement.
• weekly contribution to a departmental or substitute ensemble (LO4-5)
• event management duties (LO6)
• an online portfolio of 2000 words in total comprising a series of brief reflective texts including performance report, an outline of your contribution to an ensemble, two concert reviews and a report on your concert management activity  (LO4, 6-7)
• conducting a small ensemble in a set exercise (LO8) 

 Formative assessment: 

• you are encouraged to give at least one performance on your main study instrument in a concert and a seminar before your assessment (every student is allocated a lunchtime recital by 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 (lunchtime concert feedback sessions)
• accompanists
• conductors
• peers
• 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) 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
• Develop knowledge of performance practices in a range of different 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

• weekly 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 performances given by peers, providing constructive peer feedback
• attending rehearsals, masterclasses and concerts in the Department
• rehearsing with choir, chamber choice, orchestra or a substitute ensemble
• rehearsing and coaching of conducted repertoire
• 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: MUS2049

Other information

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 2026/7 academic year.