2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MUSS3324 Ensemble Performance

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr David Ireland
Email: D.I.Ireland@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally grade 8 ABRSM/Trinity Guildhall/Rockschool or equivalent and/or good performance in MUSS1320/1324/2320/2324. Students will be placed in ensembles according to availability.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Through this module you will participate in the School of Music’s large-scale performance projects. Typically students participate in one performance ensemble in each semester as a member of the orchestra or the choir. Repertoire performed by these ensembles in recent years includes Mahler Symphony no. 1; Vaughan Williams Symphony no. 6; Handel Israel in Egypt and Vaughan William Mass in G minor.. The School is regularly looking for students with the following specialisms: male singers, French horn, trombone, tuba, any strings (particularly violas and double basses) and occasionally bassoons. You will typically be involved in two rehearsals per week for an 8-9 week period. Note that orchestral and choral performances often take place on Sunday afternoons at 3pm, and that they are preceded by rehearsals on the Saturday immediately before and the Sunday morning. Assessment is based on practical work in rehearsal and the final performance, with an extremely strong emphasis being placed on attendance. Students on this module are expected to take a management role in the ensemble (such as orchestra manager, stage management, librarian, etc.). Students complete a 2000-2500 word self-assessment report at the end of the year, reflecting on your development as an ensemble performer.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have acquired considerable experience in practical music-making through participation in small or large ensembles. They should have attained excellent stylistic awareness and ensemble-playing skills. They will have played a key role in shaping the interactive learning experience in collaboration with both staff and fellow students, and will have taken a leading role, both musically and organisationally.

Students should have attained excellent self-and peer- assessment skills, and their reliability and high levels of professionalism in conduct as performing musicians will serve as role models for level 1 & 2 students. They should possess excellent skills in meaningful and critical reflection on ensemble performance experiences, and should be able to present this in a highly articulate and professional manner.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate expertise in the range of skills required for ensemble performance
- Engage practically in music-making and play a key role in shaping the ensemble experience
- Work effectively in a group
- Demonstrate leadership in an ensemble setting
- Demonstrate excellent ensemble organisational skills
- Engage in self-directed learning
- Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on their own progress and achievement
- Demonstrate an ability to cooperate with both staff and student ensemble directors, sometimes extending to a leadership role.

Syllabus

This varies from semester to semester and from student to student. Activities may include orchestral project, choral project, popular and world music ensembles, chamber ensembles, and new music ensemble. Some activities will be staff-led, but students will be expected to adopt positions of leadership in the musical and logistical organisation of the module (though a level of staff supervision will always be present).

Projects are designed to reflect the competencies and orientations of the current cohort of students and will often respond to the School’s academic teaching and research. The nature of an individual's commitment in projects is negotiated with the module co-ordinator and ensemble directors.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Group learning	16	2.00	32.00
Lecture	1	2.00	2.00
Practical	16	2.00	32.00
Private study hours			134.00
Total Contact hours			66.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Practical classes (usually an average of 3 hours per week of rehearsals), private practice, listening, performance(s) and report writing. Weekly commitment will vary from student to student owing to the nature of the activities. Students should expect to spend c. 30 hours in tutor-led rehearsals and performances, 30 hours in student-led/sectional rehearsal, c. 10 hours in independent study and related listening activity, c. 30 hours in monitoring and documenting their activities and producing written reports, and c. 100 hours in individual practice.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Ongoing feedback in rehearsals, informed by student self-assessment documentation
Semester 1 performances

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Attendance at rehearsals. Poor attendance at rehearsals will result in a penalty in the final module mark; extreme cases of non-attendance will result in failure. Registers will be taken at every taught session.	0.00
Practical	Ensemble contribution	70.00
Report	Written report on performance activities throughout year (c.2000-2500 words)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/05/2016

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