MUS 120 : Performance 1

Creative Arts and Industries

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Individual lessons and performance classes on an approved instrument or voice. (See course outline and instrumental/vocal syllabus for specific curriculum requirements).

Course Overview

Regular lessons are delivered in one to one studio mode, where key technical skills and musical knowledge are exchanged in a critique environment. Performance classes complement lessons and test skills learned in the studio in a public performance space.
Students receive 12 hours of studio lessons and up to 24 hours of performance classes (depending on the
specialisation). Students will attend the relevant performance class for their instrument/voice. Refer to the instrument/vocal specific syllabus for repertoire and assessment requirements.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Entrance is by audition. Departmental approval

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Perform at a technical and artistic level consistent with the minimum pass requirements of the School’s Criteria for Assessing Performance. Demonstrate evolving confidence in technique as a means to convey musical meaning. (Capability 3.1)
  2. Show evidence of an evolving understanding of musical style, sense of musical structure and phrasings. (Capability 4.1)
  3. Begin to develop autonomy as musicians by interpreting scores and finding effective ways to solve problems. (Capability 5.1)
  4. Develop insights into performance practice conventions and associated with the instrument(s) and era of the music performed. (Capability 3.1)
  5. Demonstrate basic organisation and time management skills and commit to intensive self-demands in order to achieve goals. Continue to demonstrate an evolving ability to critically self-evaluate. (Capability 8.1)
  6. Be aware of and promote personal responsibility and self-discipline. (Capability 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Formative Assessment Individual Coursework
Practical Assessment 20% Individual Coursework
Coursework Assessment 30% Individual Coursework
Performance Journal 10% Individual Coursework
Practical Exam 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Formative Assessment
Practical Assessment
Coursework Assessment
Performance Journal
Practical Exam
Participation in all performance classes is a compulsory coursework component. 
The Coursework Assessment mark will be moderated by the Convenor of Classical Performance, in consultation with unit coordinators, to reflect insufficient participation.

Students must gain at least 50% on both the Practical Exam and their final overall mark to pass this course. If a student is unable to present themselves for their musical assessment or exam due to illness or other serious situation, they should contact their teacher and the Convenor of Classical Performance immediately. 

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, please complete an application for extension form at the following link
https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/te-whare-o-ng_-pkrero-poro---school-of-music-undergraduate-exten.html
You must submit your extension application as early as possible before the assignment due date.
 Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalised 10% for each day or part thereof and will be automatically deducted on CANVAS. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.


Teaching & Learning Methods

Successful completion of this stage 1 performance course will give students the opportunity to progress onwards, building on performance and stylistic skills. Teaching and learning is delivered through individual lessons, participation in performance class, score preparation and study, and personal practice. 

Workload Expectations

The student workload for a 15 point course is approximately 150 hours per semester.


For a performance course this is divided between:


  • Individual lessons
  • Performance Class Participation
  • Score preparation and study
  • Personal practice


The requirements for each instrument vary; please refer to the relevant instrumental/vocal schedule/syllabus on Canvas for further guidelines and advice.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including studio lessons and performance classes to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including rehearsals and workshops.
Attendance on campus is required for the practical assessment.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly.

Some components of the course may be conducted online depending on the instrument/voice.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

  • Musical scores are available at the U of A library, online or though music publishers. 
  • Audio and video recordings are available at the U of A library.
  • Other Materials or Software - The School of Music has access to the Naxos streaming databases and IPA source (for vocal students).
  • Canvas is used to update students on syllabi, assessment criteria, ensemble and examination schedules. Please check your Canvas announcements frequently.

Health & Safety

Appropriate attire is required for all performances and workshops. Please consult with your unit coordinator if you are unsure.

HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT
Warming up properly is essential; It is important that you warm up sufficiently before lessons/performance classes/workshops/rehearsals/performances. Your studio teacher will guide you through the warm up process.


Please inform your studio teacher of any injury or health related circumstances that are relevant to your playing/singing. If you develop a new injury, or if an old injury surfaces during the course, let your teacher know and seek medical advice.


Please take care of mental, physical and social wellbeing. If you need support or/and advice or need to raise a concern please speak with your studio teacher, unit coordinator, Director of Undergraduate Studies (School of Music) or University Counsellor ph. 09 923 7681.



Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Students must make themselves available for assessment during the official University examination period.

As well as performing works with accompaniment, students may choose to perform an unaccompanied work. Performers are expected to understand how to behave in a concert situation, and are advised to treat the examination as they would a professional engagement.

Students are not required to perform from memory unless this is an expectation in the context of their specific instrument/voice. For further information, please refer to the individual instrument/voice syllabus.


Owing to the nature of music teaching and learning, consistent attendance is essential at all lectures, tutorials and studio lessons. All planned prolonged absences (such as overseas competitions, family events, masterclasses) must be pre-approved by the Head of School. If approval is given, all Course Coordinators, Tutors and other teachers must be informed of your absence in advance. Unplanned absences relating to illness, bereavement, or other emergencies can only be excused with appropriate evidence from the University doctor, counsellor or other official source. It is students’ personal responsibility to make up all work missed. Catch-up classes in studio lessons may not be available.


Studio Lesson Cancellation Policy

Students are required to give their teacher 24 hours notice of lesson cancellation. Where this notice is given, a new time will be arranged with the teacher. If less than 24 hours notice is given without extenuating circumstances, the lesson will be forfeited. It is at the teacher’s discretion as to whether the lesson is made up in this situation.

Multiple absences will require a medical certificate or documentation.



Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Works that have already been presented for assessment cannot be repeated. 

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.