Module WXP-3298:
Solo Performance Project

Module Facts

Run by School of Music, Drama and Performance

40 Credits or 20 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Iwan Llewelyn Jones

Overall aims and purpose

  1. Build on and enhance the skills acquired in Year 2 Solo Performance module
  2. Advance and refine the student's instrumental or vocal technique
  3. Enable the student to engage with issues of historical style, context and historically informed performance relating to his/her instrument or voice

Course content

Participants of the module will prepare and perform a public recital of 40 minutes’ duration, featuring stylistically-diverse solo repertoire from different periods. Individual instrumental or vocal tuition will be accompanied by workshops in which the students will address and discuss advanced questions relating to repertoire choices, rehearsal strategies, performance practices (including historically-informed performance), presentation skills and the preparation of programme notes.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

The performance displays basic musicality and technique; there is limited attention to relevant notational and stylistic demands and restricted attention to interpretive values. The text-based work displays scant knowledge of the subject, with simple ability at conceptual thought, and a limited awareness of issues, but has some evidence of a generally intellectual approach, with fair expression.

good

The performance is persuasive, displaying good levels of interpretive ability, musicality and technique, together with overall attention to relevant notational and stylistic demands. The text-based work displays a sound grasp of the subject, a satisfactory level of conceptual thought, awareness of the main issues, with evidence of intellectual acumen and good expression.

excellent

The performance is compelling and convincing, displaying advanced levels of interpretive ability, musicality and technique, together with evidence of careful attention to relevant notational and stylistic demands. The text-based work displays a thorough grasp of the subject, with evidence of broader contextual study, deeper thought, originality of approach and excellent written skills.

Learning outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to demonstrate the ability to engage with performance practices pertinent to their chosen repertoire: consistent attention to articulation, dynamic range and expressive markings.

  2. Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to demonstrate the ability to conceive and deliver a balanced recital programme that illustrates a concept or musicological theme in a consistent way.

  3. Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to demonstrate the ability to justify musical choices of repertoire, performance practice and problem solving via presentation and programme notes.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Written assignment, including essay Programme notes

Programme notes to accompany the public recital. To be submitted to Blackboard by noon on Thursday of Week 10 (March 25 2021)

 10
DEMONSTRATION/PRACTICE Public Recital

Public recital lasting 35-40 minutes. To take place in the Assessment Period of Semester 2 (May 2021)

 80
ORAL Individual presentation

Oral presentation on the repertoire chosen for the performance. To take place in the Assessment period of Semester 1 (January 2021).

 10

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Tutorial
  • Individual lessons, total duration of 24 hours.
  • Where necessary and appropriate, 2 hours of rehearsal time with a professional accompanying pianist.
 24
Practical classes and workshops

22 workshops, 2 hours each, across the whole year, on various aspects of performance technique (including performance practice, musicological concerns, presentation skills and organisational skills). During the course of the workshops, each student prepares and performs a work, with accompaniment where applicable. Verbal feedback is provided in each workshop.

 44
Private study

Taking feedback from instrumental/vocal lessons/workshops and applying this to daily practice. This should be reinforced with research into composers, repertoire, recordings and scores.

 332

Transferable skills

  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Subject specific skills

  • Musicianship skills – recognition, classification, contextualisation, reconstruction, exploration
  • Re-creative skills – interpretation, innovation, versatility, and other skills relating to performance
  • Creative skills – conception, elaboration, adaptation, presentation, collaboration, preservation
  • Intellectual skills specific to Music – contextual knowledge, cultural awareness, critical understanding, repertoire knowledge, curiosity, analytical demonstration
  • Technological skills – digital capture, digital expression, digital innovation
  • Intellectual skills shared with other disciplines – research and exploration, reasoning and logic, understanding, critical judgement, assimilation and application
  • Skills of communication and interaction – oral and written communication, public presentation, team-working and collaboration, awareness of professional protocols, sensitivity, ICT skills, etc.
  • Skills of personal management – self-motivation, self-critical awareness, independence, entrepreneurship and employment skills, time management and reliability, organisation, etc.
  • Enhanced powers of imagination and creativity (4.17)

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: