Newcastle University

Aims

to develop group performance skills and encourage creativity and collaboration between students working in the field of popular music performance
to develop individual abilities in performance and arranging
to prepare students for specialist study in popular music performance where appropriate

Original Summary:
Practical Studies in Popular Music brings students together into a variety of different groupings throughout the academic year to rehearse and perform together. After two initial projects in which students are randomly teamed up and given materials to arrange and rehearse, students are allocated into groups for the remainder of the year. Although some materials – songs and lead sheets - are given at the start of the module, students are encouraged to interpret these in a creative and imaginative way rather than imitating the originals. Students receive one-to-one lessons either on their primary instrument or have voice training. The emphasis is on learning to collaborate with one another, and on producing imaginative and convincing performances.

Outline Of Syllabus

During the first seven weeks of the module students will work in various collaborative settings designed to introduce key concepts in contemporary performance and expression. After week eight students will be assigned specific groups in which they will work for the remainder of the academic year. Staff-led sessions will be supplemented with seminar groups to discuss set readings and repertoire (students will be expected to blog regularly on issues connected with their practice – their level of engagement in this respect witll be a moderating factor in their overall assessment where necessary); film screenings every week will be mandatory for students taking the module.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Practicals introduce and develop performance, arranging and collaboration skills; this is reinforced by group learning where students practise and improve these skills; lectures deliver Vernacular Music Skills and also introduce repertoire and modes of working; tutorials allow students to work intensively on their own technical skills on their instrument or voice.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students are expected to post regular blogs (using the internal hub (creativepractice.ncl.ac.uk) or other resource such as tumblr) which count as a form of self-assessment as well as a means of articulating critical perspectives developed though participation in classes and from readings/discussion.

The Vernacular Music & Instrumental Core Skills Test examines the student’s knowledge and understanding of theory and application of their specific instrumental material in accordance with the appropriate level for this stage. The public performance demonstrates musical, creative and collaborative skills in a finished professional level of group performance. The group mark is the same for all members of the band, reflecting the collaborative aspect of the performance and the individual mark focuses on the particular contribution of the individual student to the overall performance; the essay allows students to represent their personal progress, and to critically evaluate the work of their group in a way that further reflects their engagement with class discussion, readings and blogging – essentially, it allows the student to articulate and consolidate reflexive, critical insights developed during the module.