Aims

•       This module aims to facilitate an in depth understanding of the individual creative process in traditional musics.
•       To extend the aural abilities of music students and the relationship between this and their ability to verbalise the key aspects of individual creativity.
•       To introduce a diverse range of social contexts for music-making through the perspective of individual musical biographies.
•       To explore the pedagogical history of vernacular musical traditions and their impact upon performance.
•       To extend students’ critical knowledge of traditional music and their ability to voice these.
•       To improve student presentational and verbal skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will be guided through a series of weekly case studies of outstanding traditional musicians with a particular emphasis on their individual creative practice, and discussion of their individual social, political, and cultural histories. Proposed performers include, but not limited to the following: Tom Anderson (Shetland fiddler and composer); James Scott Skinner (Scottish fiddler and composer); Sean McGuire (Irish fiddler and composer); the Bobs of Balmoral (legendary Scottish pipers and Ghillies), Billy Pigg (Northumbrian piper); Ewan McColl (singer) as well as other case studies deemed appropriate by the module leader. Students will be encouraged to champion an individual expert performer and to focus their essay-project on their performances.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Team-taught lecture series establishes epistemological framework; tutorials encourage student-led learning; private study allows for reading and essay-writing; group learning makes allowance for seminar/presentation preparation (semester two).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Recording project will test development of specific reportorial knowledge and the essay will test ability to evaluate and reflect on repertory formation and maintenance