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MUSI3611: Contemporary Music Performance

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Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Music

Prerequisites

  • MUSI1241 Performance 1: Practice through History (with recital) OR MUSI1291 Performance 1: Practice through History (with essay)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

Aims

  • To develop an understanding and practice of performance in contemporary and new music, that reflect and respond to the development in creative composition; to increase historical and theoretical understanding about the relationship between composition and performance; to encourage creativity and critical independence as a performer.

Content

  • This module addresses a gap between two well-established disciplines of performance and composition. Students will study key features of contemporary and new music from the performance perspective. These include 1) the development of skills and strategies in reading varied notations, and 2) the understanding of theory and practice in topics associated with contemporary music, including extended techniques, new instruments and microtonality.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Students gain practical and critical understanding of how music can be realised and performed. This may include a) understanding of interpretive exegeses, b) assessment of expressive potential in unfamiliar musical compositions, and c) understanding of the expressive potential and capabilities of musical instruments.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students will be 1) more informed about the practicalities of performing new music, and 2) able to approach compositions strategically to prepare for a performance.

Key Skills:

  • The ability to communicate
  • The ability to think through sound and articulate ideas in performance
  • The ability to work towards a single event and deliver it at the appropriate time

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Core material via lectures on contemporary performance practice, alternating with practical performance seminars. One on one tutorials to prepare for written and practical assessments and two 1-hour workshops on specific contemporary performance issues.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures84/4/01 hour8 
Seminars52/3/01 hour5 
Workshops2One in term 1 and one in term 21 hour2 
Tutorials42/2/015 minutes1 
Individual lessons14*Divided over terms 1, 2 and 3 (*if combined with MUSI3672 the total number of hours will be 27, if combined with MUSI3621 the total number will be 21)1 hour14 
Preparation and Reading170 
TOTAL200 

Summative Assessment

Component: EssayComponent Weighting: 40%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
3,000 word essay to be submitted in the Easter Term3,000 words100No
Component: PortfolioComponent Weighting: 60%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
20-minute non-public performance in solo and/or small ensemble in Easter Term. A recorded alternative is available if the situation necessitates this.20 minutes100No

Formative Assessment

One written assignment (essay of 1,000 words) in term 1.

More information

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