Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module MUSI3621: Performance 3: Recorded Performance Project (single)

Department: Music

MUSI3621: Performance 3: Recorded Performance Project (single)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to W300
Tied to W302
Tied to LA01
Tied to LA02
Tied to LA03

Prerequisites

  • MUSI2711 Performance 2: Practice as Research, or in exceptional cases, MUSI1241 Performance 1: Practice Through History (with recital) and passing an audition in Easter term to the satisfaction of the module leader.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • MUSI3672 Performance 3: Public Performance Project.

Aims

  • To develop skills in presenting musical ideas through recorded performance, including repertoire selection and profiling of the individual's musical strength.
  • To employ practical and intellectual skills appropriately and effectively in the preparation and delivery of performance. These skills include an ability to communicate music with technical competence, knowledge and understanding of the repertoire of the chosen instrument or the voice.

Content

  • Each student will compile a 30-minute programme of performance to be submitted as an audio compact disc with written sleeve notes, as well as a 2,000-word essay contextualising the chosen programme. The essay provides an opportunity to engage with the performance project from an academic perspective, enabling students to gain a multidimensional understanding of their chosen programme.
  • The performance will comprise her/his own performance on her/his chosen instrument. The content of the project will be decided in consultation with a tutor, and must be approved by the module leader. This module is about improving performance skills through repeated listening to one's own performance. The Department will provide a recording facility and technical assistance for a set number of hours per student, and the recordings submitted must be produced within that time allocation. The module is based on independent study, and supported by regular individual tutorials and group seminars. Individual instrumental tuition forms part of the learning.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will gain practical and critical understanding of how to prepare for and what is involved in a successful production of a recorded performance. Through work on performance with an accompanist and sound engineer, students develop both presentation and team-working skills.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will gain an understanding of the expressive breadth/depth required for a recorded performance project
  • Students will develop a critical ear
  • Students will gain an advanced measure of personal expression and creativity in practical music making.
Key Skills:
  • The ability to listen and judge critically
  • The ability to think through sound and articulate ideas in performance

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

  • Performance seminars on various performance practice issues, lectures on recording techniques and producing liner notes and booklets, Individual tutorials to prepare for written and practical assessments; individual instrumental/vocal lessons

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 3 2 in term 1 and 1 in term 2 15 minutes 0.75
Seminars 11 6 in term 1 and 5 in term 2 1 hour 11
Recording 3 3 in term 2 1 hour 3
Individual instrumental 14* Divided over terms 1 and 2 (* if combined with MUSI3611 the total number of hours will be 21) 1 hour 14
Preparation and Reading 171.25
TOTAL 200

Summative Assessment

Component: CD Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Recording project at the end of Term 2, resulting in a CD of a student performance to be submitted at the start of Term 3. This project will include producing a 30-minute CD 30 minutes 80% No
Written sleeve notes and booklet design N/A 20% No
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
A 2,000 word essay contextualising the chosen programme from a performance-based angle 2,000 words 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Recording project early in Term 2.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University