MUS 707 : Research and Practice in Conducting

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (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

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

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 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate and develop skills in a second instrument, vocal or instrumental (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Develop an understanding of pedagogy (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Understand and apply the elements of pedagogical research in conducting practice and writing (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Develop awareness and knowledge about the history and practice of repertoire (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

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

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 (90 mins per week); a vocal/instrumental session (30 mins per week); and the weekly, one-hour conducting seminar. Students are encouraged to attend rehearsals  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).

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including classes and tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including classes and tutorials will not be available as recordings. The course will include live online events including group discussions .

Attendance on campus is required for the tests. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.


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.

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

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.

Threshold points for this subject on SET were not met and the bespoke nature of this subject sees it regularly adapt to student needs. 

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

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

In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 03:34 p.m.