You will develop musical creativity through the study and practice of popular music performance, and improve your ability to perform with fluency and confidence across a broad range of genres. The module will focus on both collaborative and solo performance work, and will offer performance opportunities within the university and the wider community. You will learn how to develop effective practice regimes, as well as the ability to reflect critically on your performance work with the aim of identifying ways in which to improve and develop as performers of music.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This module will be taught through individual instrumental / vocal lessons, lectures, workshops, and guided rehearsals. Students will receive 6 hours of individual tuition specific to their first study instrument or voice, as well as a further 6 hours of group tuition, supported by 22 hours of lectures and workshops on aspects of popular music performance practice. As part of their independent study, students will also work through a series of online tutorials focused on core popular music instruments in order to develop a better understanding of performance techniques specific to these. Formative feedback will be provided throughout the year by specialist tutors and lecturers/workshop leaders. Practical workshops and guided rehearsal sessions will provide students with an environment to develop and refine creative skills.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 hours of individual lessons 6 hours of group lessons 22 two hour lectures/workshops 6 hours of supervised rehearsal | 62 |
| Guided independent study | 238 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
A range of formative assessments, such as short, informal performances / demonstration of techniques being explored will be set at intervals throughout the year, both in class and as independent study, with feedback provided.
Students will be summatively assessed through a portfolio of performance work, to include:
1) a mid-year group performance, set to take place in week 9 of TB1. Feedback from this to be provided to students by week 11 (20%).
2) a public performance of approximately 10 minutes duration held towards the end of the academic year (60%).
3) completion of a detailed record of creative practice in a reflective journal (20%).
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate an ability to effectively engage with a range of performance styles and situations; | 1,2,3 |
| Demonstrate a thoughtful and creative approach to performing popular music; | 1,2,3 |
| Demonstrate progress in the development of technical and interpretative performance skills; | 1,2,3 |
| Demonstrate critical awareness of the preparation and performance of popular music. | 3 |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| PRC | Group performance | 20% |
| PRC | Individual performance | 60% |
| Coursework | Reflective journal | 20% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Buswell, D. (2006) Performance strategies for musicians. Stansted Abbotts: MX Publishing
Evans, A. (2003) Secrets of performing confidence. London: A & C Black
Klickstein, G. (2009) The musician's way: A guide to performance, practice and wellness. Oxford University Press: New York.
Pulman, M. (2012) Rehearsing popular music: Knowing yourself through others: Peer assessment in popular music. Lap Lambert Publishing: Saarbruken
Rosset I Llobet, J. and Odam, G. (2007) The musician's body: a maintenance manual for peak performance. Ashgate: Farnham
Small, C. (1998) Musicking; the mean