Newcastle University

Aims

Building on MUS1092, a series of weekly three hour small group (approx 6) tutor led workshops will challenge and support students in the development of ensemble skills, and the application and further development of arranging skills learnt in MUS1098. Students may be given listening assignments in preparation for specific workshops, and the ensembles will work with both prescribed collections and self selected repertoire. Students will be required to undertake individual preparation for specific workshops. Ensemble groups meet for a further two hours per week of unsupervised rehearsal in order to further develop arrangements. As part of the learning and self assessment process ensembles will develop their skills in the use of multi track sound recording for the purposes of developing and documenting ensemble work. Ensemble groups will give at least one short informal performance to fellow students and friends per semester, and will also take part in a concert hosted in Hall 2 of The Sage Gateshead.

The aims of the module are:

• To enhance skills in ensemble playing - listening, balancing sounds, blending voice and instruments, playing tightly together, giving each other musical space and complementing the sound of others.
• To enhance arranging skills - building on the theoretical base gained in MUS 1098 and MUS 2063.
• To develop further the ability to work productively in groups, negotiate outcomes and manage conflicts and tensions
• To use sound recording in the process of ensemble development

Outline Of Syllabus

Compulsory module - please see module aims

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

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Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A summative interim recital lasting 15 minutes in semester 1 will reward work done in ensemble groups during the early part of the academic year.
The summer recital will require students to apply knowledge gained from the module’s key themes through independent research and through the development of ensemble, arrangement and interpersonal skills.
A diary documenting the rehearsal process and evolution of arrangements should be kept as evidence that the student has engaged with the material of the module both during class and during private study time. A satisfactory level of engagement must be demonstrated to gain the mark awarded for the recital.

An individual student’s contribution to the ensemble over the year can inflect the mark for his or her recital.
The CD of the same material recorded and mixed down using multi track recording techniques (assessed on the basis of both recording quality and performance) ensures that students learn relevant skills in the process of engagement in ensemble work. Thus they learn ways in which sound recording can enhance critical development and improve performance.