Historical or Contemporary Performance

MUSC60131 Historical or Contemporary Performance 30 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Peter Furniss Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 In this course unit students prepare a programme for live performance in January (25-30 mins), designed to explore a particular aspect of their chosen repertoire. The performance will be given in their chosen main or joint study instrument/voice, and in any genre, according to relevant experience and subject to approval by the course unit director.  The performance is complemented by a written essay with reflective commentary. Students identify specific challenges or a thematic focus and formulate a contextualised approach, through practical strategies, embodied technique, interpretative approaches, and theoretical perspectives which focus on areas of  context.Examples could include specific interpretative challenges posed by one or more of the chosen songs/pieces, historical approaches to interpretation or stylistic features, techniques, or any other related topic as agreed with their supervisor.   In this course unit students prepare a programme for live performance in January (25-30 mins), designed to explore a particular aspect of their chosen repertoire. The performance will be given in their chosen main or joint study instrument/voice, and in any genre, according to relevant experience and subject to approval by the course unit director.  The performance is complemented by a written essay with reflective commentary. Students identify specific challenges or a thematic focus and formulate a contextualised approach, through practical strategies, embodied technique, interpretative approaches, and theoretical perspectives which focus on areas of  context.Examples could include specific interpretative challenges posed by one or more of the chosen songs/pieces, historical approaches to interpretation or stylistic features, techniques, or any other related topic as agreed with their supervisor.   <ul><li>To enable students to experience preparing, rehearsing, and performing works related to their main study, in a historically and/or professionally informed way</li><li>To provide students with the opportunity to investigate a specific aspect of historical or contemporary performance through a combination of practical and intellectual engagement with their chosen material</li><li>To assess the relationships between practice and theory of performance</li><li>To introduce students to research techniques that can be applied when writing about a defined aspect of historical or contemporary performance  </li></ul> <ul><li>Demonstrate advanced understanding of the intellectual contexts in which music is performed, concentrating on a specific aspect of either historical or contemporary repertory</li><li>Show a well-developed ability to assess and discuss the relationships between practice and theory of performance </li></ul> <ul><li>Demonstrate the ability to apply research techniques that enable them to investigate a clearly defined aspect of their performance</li><li>Show skills in applying theoretical understanding of issues in musical performance to practical interpretation in performance </li></ul> <ul><li>Demonstrate advanced technical skills on one instrument or voice</li><li>Show sensitive and historically appropriate artistry and musicianship in performance</li><li>Demonstrate the ability to communicate with the audience with strong projection and expression appropriate to the chosen repertory </li></ul> <ul><li>Produce high-quality performances with a disciplined approach to time management, self-motivation and critical self-awareness</li><li>Show the ability to work under self-direction on a research project of their choice </li></ul> Analytical skills Demonstrate higher level analytical skills in evaluating problems and challenges associated with the chosen performing repertory Project management Show strengths in time management via self-directed study in the research project of their choice Problem solving Demonstrate skills in problem solving and decision making both through the issues investigated in the written project and when applying solutions to interpretative problems in musical performances Research Demonstrate research skills, including identifying source materials, gathering information and following a clear and appropriate methodology in preparing the coursework project Other Show an ability to communicate with an audience through high-level musical expression The student's coursework project is developed in individual tutorials arranged via the course-unit director (maximum 6 x 30-minute sessions).For the practical element of the course-unit students receive individual tuition on their instrument/voice in order to prepare for their performance (maximum 11 x 1-hour classes).Course documentation, bibliographies and practical guides are provided on Blackboard.   0 Other 100%  A recital or a lecture-recital on the students’ chosen instrument/voice, presenting a programme designed to explore a specific aspect of either historical performance or contemporary performance;  An essay discussing a challenge or problem specific to the recital programme; Recital (summative) - 70% Essay (summative)  - 30%  Re- sit assessment - as above. Feedback method  / Formative or SummativeVerbal feedback will be provided throughout the semester by vocal/instrumental/conducting tutors - FormativeWritten feedback for the end-of-year recital will be provided at the end of Semester 2- SummativeVerbal feedback is provided by the supervisor on the coursework topic proposal - FormativeOne-to-one verbal feedback is provided by the supervisor on work in progress on the coursework project - FormativeAdditional one-to-one feedback may be provided during the consultation hour or by making an appointment - FormativeWritten feedback is provided on the completed coursework project - Summative  N Since the written assignments undertaken by students for MUSC 60131/2/0 vary widely in scope and content, it is not possible to produce a single bibliography for the course. However, the following provides a basic indicative list:  General (Classical):  Rink, John (ed.), Musical Performance: A Guide to Understanding, ed. John Rink, Cambridge, 2002.Rink, John (ed.), The Practice of Performance: Studies in Musical Interpretation, Cambridge, 2005. Historical Classical Performance:Brown, Clive, Classical and Romantic Performing Practice, 1750-1900, Oxford, 1999.  Butt, John, Playing with History: The Historical Approach to Musical Performance, Musical Performance and Reception, Cambridge, 2002.  Davies, Stephen, Musical Works and Performances: a Philosophical Exploration, Oxford, 2001.Lawson, Colin and Robin Stowell, The Cambridge History of Musical Performance, Cambridge, 2012.Lawson, Colin and Robin Stowell, The Historical Performance of Music: An Introduction, Cambridge Handbooks to the Historical Performance of Music, Cambridge, 1999.    Assessment practical exam 0.5 Demonstration 16 Lectures 9 Practical classes & workshops 8 Project supervision 5.5 0 261