MUSI2711: Performance 2: Practice as Research

• MUSI1241 Performance 1: Practice Through History (with Recital) - at least a mark of 60 in the practical examination.

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• To develop constructive ways to think about performance as a subject where scholarship, critical understanding and practical skills combine, leading to 1) the understanding of core issues in musical performance in different historical contexts and 2) the production of a performance that demonstrates such understanding. To introduce the idea of practice as research and develop a research-led approach to performance.

• Students will study key areas of performance as a specialist discipline, including: 1) performance practice (both historical and contemporary), 2) knowledge about scores and editing, for scholarship and practical use, 3) repertoire search, 4) issues concerning planning, practice, execution and assessment of practical performance in solo and small-groups, and 5) methods for performance research. These will feed into the formative and summative work.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students gain practical and critical understanding of the context in which music is performed and how to approach writing about it.

Subject-specific Skills:

• 1) the ability to think and express ideas in written form and in performance, and 2) to gain confidence to perform in front of people.

Key Skills:

• 1) The ability to assess performance critically and to execute ideas appropriately in performance, and 2) The ability to work with other musicians using aural and performing skills, demonstrating and evaluating individual and group skills. 3) The ability to apply scholarship to develop well-informed performance practice.

• The learning and teaching will be delivered in weekly lectures, workshops with the students, individual and group tutorials, supported by individual instrument/vocal tuition. In addition, there will be bi-weekly performance seminars in terms 1 and 2 on chamber music repertoire.
• Essay - Students will write a paper on an issue of performance practice as discussed and approved by the module leader(s).
• Report - Students will write a book review on bibliography addressing practical elements of performance (e.g. memorisation, practice techniques, performance anxiety, etc).
• Practical - Students will submit a repertoire list (20 min of music) of the pieces they will perform in the practical exam (during exam week). The repertoire list must be discussed and approved by the vocal/instrumental teacher.

There will be formative assessments throughout the term. These can include workshops, short written exercises, or performances. Feedback is given during the performance seminars and individual tutorials.

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