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Creative and Professional Practice 1 - MUS00190C

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Liz Haddon
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module develops practical music-making skills and critical reflection through engagement with individual and ensemble rehearsal and performance, as well as other forms of creative practice. It develops your understanding of the principles of high-level instrumental/vocal study, your critical skills in relationship to instrumental/vocal performance, and fosters self-awareness and discipline in setting and achieving specific goals.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module gives you space to develop as a practical and creative musician in a variety of areas, including solo performance but also encompassing other forms of creative activity. The module is underpinned by the provision of individual tuition on a solo instrument/voice, and by the range of departmental ensembles which provide tuition in group performance and leadership. This is supported by a fortnightly seminar series covering topics such as stagecraft, health and wellness, and performance psychology that are relevant to all creative practitioners. Alongside your solo and ensemble performance work, you may opt to explore a second instrument, or to develop your creative practice in other areas such as composition, leadership or community work. Assessment is through a portfolio demonstrating performance ability and engagement with multiple areas of practice, and a written reflection of development as a musician over the year.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

  • Perform solo repertoire with confident technique and interpretation;

  • Perform and rehearse productively in an ensemble;

  • Contribute to musical activity in a secondary area of specialism;

  • Reflect on issues you face as a practical musician (such as difficulties in practice strategies, performance anxiety, or interpretative judgment), and explore and adopt appropriate strategies to respond to these issues

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Professional Creative Practice essay 1000 words		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Log / diary : Record of participation		 N/A 20
Practical
Performance : Creative Practice as Solo Performance		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Additional assessment information

The assessment for this module has three related components:

1) Creative Practice as Solo Performance: practical

Live performance of 8–10 minutes on your primary instrument or voice. This performance will take place in week 11 of Semester 2.

2) Professional Creative Practice: essay

Written reflection (c. 1000 words) on your creative activities over the past year. You must consider at least two areas of creative practice in depth: one must be your primary instrument or voice, the other could be a different instrument or some other area of practice such as conducting, improvisation, composition, or community work. You should reflect on the ways you have developed in these areas over the past year, including some consideration of your individual instrumental/vocal lessons, as well as of seminars or workshops within the module that have had an impact on your activity. You should also outline a number of primary goals for your development in the coming year.

3) Record of participation

This consists of two equally-weighted elements:

  • A lesson diary, with brief description of and reflection on each instrumental/vocal lesson that you have received this year;

  • A record of ensemble participation logging your engagement with ensemble rehearsal and performance.

A suggested template for these elements will be provided by the module convenor.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Professional Creative Practice essay 1000 words		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Log / diary : Record of participation		 N/A 20
Practical
Performance : Creative Practice as Solo Performance		 N/A 40

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Supporting materials will be provided in conjunction with specific seminars and by individual instrumental teachers/ensemble leaders as appropriate.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.