| Unit name | Performance Studies |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MUSI10064 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Williams |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Music |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Practical Studies is the mandatory performance-based unit in the first year of the BA in Music. For those students who want to make performance a thread of their degree, it lays the groundwork for their performance learning in subsequent years and familiarises them with the way performance is taught at Bristol.
For students who do not want to make performance a major part of their degree, it allows close contact with the world of musical performance through a focus on music criticism.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
For students on the BA in Music, the unit is part of a first year of study in which everyone tries out the different areas of a music degree, to see what they want to focus on in subsequent years of the degree. For students on a joint-honours degree involving Music, it is the option for those who want to make performance part of the Music side of their degree (or, if they choose the criticism option of the unit, a way of engaging with musical performance through criticism in a variety of media).
An overview of content
The unit can be studied along one of two pathways: performance or criticism. Students on both pathways participate in the weekly Creative Performance and Musicianship programme and attend concerts in the Department of Music. It is furthermore recommended that students participate in one or more of the many musical ensembles run by the Department of music or one of the student societies.
Performance pathway
This unit aims to develop existing practical skills, leading towards an assessed 10-minute solo or ensemble performance, in preparation for which students will benefit from a programme of instrumental or vocal lessons. The process of planning and negotiation required in programme selection and development and in producing the desired sound and communicating an individual interpretation in performance, is fundamental to performance and will be developed throughout the year. (Students opting to present an ensemble piece, in which they play an equal (rather than solo) role, will not usually be permitted to take solo performance in subsequent years.)
Criticism pathway
Students prepare a portfolio of short concert reviews (in a variety of forms and media), generally based on the professional concerts hosted by the Music Department, with guidance through seminar teaching and tutorial support. (Please note that students opting to take this pathway will not usually be permitted to take performance units in subsequent years.)
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Performance pathway
Students will learn repertoire selection and development, effective self-presentation in a performance context and a professional attitude towards workshops and lessons with approved teachers. They will understand the different elements of performance teaching in the Department of Music, get a sense of musical expectations and standards and be able to decide whether they want to continue performance as a major part of their degree.
Criticism pathway
Students will develop the skills to critically evaluate performance, develop accessible media-friendly styles of writing/presenting their ideas, and become aware of contemporary performance issues. The unit is intended to provide a secure foundation for further units involving written responses to musical performance at subsequent stages in the BA programme and is an essential pre-requisite for those units.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Additionally for students on the performance pathway:
3. Perform a technically competent short recital on their principal instrument (or voice), displaying, where appropriate, effective communication with the accompanist in performance;
4. develop and display a professional attitude towards presentational aspects of their recital.
Additionally for students on the criticism pathway:
5. Communicate issues of music in live performance in different forms of writing (and other media) in a professional manner and an accessible style suitable for non-expert readers,
6. critically evaluate and compare music-making across a number of separate musical performances.
All students
Additionally performance pathway
Additionally criticism pathway
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
n/a
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted)
n/a
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Students have a choice of assessment depending on their pathway through the unit. The options are:
A solo recital of pieces prepared throughout the academic year, 10 minutes (100%) [ILOs 1-4]. The recital may be accompanied, including by a small ensemble. (If there are public or individual health restrictions in place that prevent a live recital, it can be recorded and the recording uploaded.)
or
A portfolio of musical journalism comprising written reviews as well as recorded reviews/podcasts. (100%) [ILOs 1, 2, 5 and 6]. The portfolio should consist of four to five individual items, with an overall length equivalent to 2,500 words. (For the overall calculation, 3 minutes of podcast are equivalent to 500 words; a portfolio could consist, for example, of three written reviews of 500 words each = 1,500 words, plus two podcasts of 3 minutes each = equivalent to 2x500 = 1,000 words.)
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete assessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form of number of reassessment required.
Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MUSI10064).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
