MUS 707 : Research and Practice in Conducting

Creative Arts and Industries

2020 Semester One (1203) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The development of advanced conducting skills and techniques in a variety of ensemble situations including instrumental and choral/vocal. Includes research into score preparation and rehearsal skill development.

Course Overview

It is important for postgraduate students in music who wish to acquire conducting and related second instrument performance skills to engage in advanced practical and research-based, postgraduate-level study. This course is a specialist, practical course which gives students the opportunity to work on advanced technical skills in conducting and develop skills in a second instrument in the context of research-based practice.
As an essentially practical course, students engage in personal, regular conducting study which will assist them to work in their chosen area of the profession with a high degree of confidence and knowledge; develop their skills and understanding of a second instrument and engage in postgraduate-level academic research and pedagogy.
The aims of the course are to enable students to progress to postgraduate-level performance, and/or to enhance the student’s skill level in conducting as it applies to their chosen specialism e.g. composition, music education.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 306

Semester Availability

Semester One, 2020

Course Co-ordinator

Associate Professor Karen Grylls
k.grylls@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate and perform advanced level conducting through technical exercises and selected extracts from the repertoire (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  2. Demonstrate and develop skills in a second instrument, vocal or instrumental (Capability 1)
  3. Develop an understanding of pedagogy as it applies to the practice of conducting/second instrument (Capability 1 and 2)
  4. 4. Understand and apply the elements of pedagogical research in conducting practice and writing (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
  5. Develop awareness and knowledge about the history and practice of repertoire (Capability 1, 2 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Performance Technical Assessment 50% Individual Coursework
Performance Demonstration Vocal or instrumental Studies 25% Individual Coursework
Research Project: Pedagogy and Repertoire 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Performance Technical Assessment
Performance Demonstration Vocal or instrumental Studies
Research Project: Pedagogy and Repertoire

Pass Requirements

The course is assessed as 100% coursework. All assignments apart from the initial pre-task are classed as compulsory coursework. Non-completion of any of these assignments will result in a DNC grade (did not complete). Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalised 10% for each day or part thereof that the assignment is overdue. 

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course is delivered by a weekly 1:1 conducting session (one hour per week); a vocal/instrumental session (half an hour per week); and a weekly, half hour discussion on the pedagogical and repertoire component. Students are encouraged to attend rehearsals (particularly Auckland Chamber Choir) and performances and to perform in ensembles. 

Workload Expectations

The breakdown of hours is as follows: 36 hours of classes and practical individual/tutorial sessions (3 hours per week); 192 hours of listening/attending concerts/score preparation/ (approx. 16 hours per week). 72 hours study related to the research project and score preparation (300 hours in total).

Digital 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.

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.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 at 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.

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.

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).

In the event of unexpected disruption

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.

Copyright Warning Notice

This material is protected by copyright and has been copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may not sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of this course pack/material to any other person. Where provided to you in electronic format, you may only print from it for your own private study and research. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.

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.

Published on 17/12/2019 07:26 a.m.