Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

This module is also open to W300, W301 and exchange students in Music who have a background in Folk playing. In this case a short audition with Module Leader is required before joining this module. This module is also open to Combined Honours with Music students (audition and timetabling allowing).

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Building on MUS1092, a series of weekly three hour small group, 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 Stage 1 Music Theory Modules. Students will be given listening assignments in preparation for specific workshops, and the ensembles will work with both prescribed digital and manuscript collections and self-selected repertoire. Ensemble groups meet for a further two hours per week for unsupervised rehearsal in order to further develop arrangements. As part of the learning and self-assessment process ensembles will, in addition to weekly vocal group sessions, further develop their vocal group skills in the area of vocal arrangement. Ensemble groups will regularly perform informal peer presentations throughout the year.

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 stage 2 and compliment MUS2050 or other creative practice modules taken.
- To develop further the ability to work productively in groups, negotiate outcomes and manage conflicts and tensions
- To learn how to make demo level audio recordings with workshops led by technical staff

Outline Of Syllabus

Compulsory module for W344 students - please see module aims

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students should acquire:
- A more developed understanding of how folk ensembles function
- A balanced instrumental and vocal repertoire suitable for ensemble performances, and work on creating a vocal group arrangement.
- A developed understanding of the use of audio sound recording as a rehearsal and creative tool
- A practical understanding of group dynamics and effective strategies to produce positive outcomes from group situations.
- Make good demo audio recordings of min.four of the semester 2 ensemble pieces.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students should acquire more effective:
- listening skills
- abilities to play together in a performance environment mirroring current practice in the field
- communication and organisational skills and abilities to work productively in groups, negotiate outcomes and manage conflicts and tensions
- capacities to document the process of group arrangements in ways that maximise efficient use of rehearsal time
- arrangement and compositional skills and concepts learnt in previous modules and elsewhere
- abilities to use sound recording to capture ensemble arrangements
- improve stagecraft and performance skills

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Due to the iterative nature of this type of learning, students will gradually build up their groupwork skills through a series of weekly 3 hour staff-led sessions and 2 hours of unsupervised ensemble work. Weekly vocal group workshops will develop breathing and vocal skills that will feed into student's ensemble practice, for example, backing vocals and spoken introductions. Ensemble groups will also perform in regular student concerts and/or alternative concert opportunities throughout the year.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A summative interim recital of three sets 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 their ensemble over the semester can inflect the mark for his or her recital.

The Vocal group arrangement submitted in semester 2 will evidence work done on collectively creating a vocal arrangement for the stage 2 group, and the student ensemble recordings will evidence recording workshops given by technical staff.

General Notes

n/a