Overview

This module develops high-level skills of thinking about music that are crucial to Masters-level study in musicology, composition and performance. Through the prism of a range of musical repertoire, the module explores a selection of issues and debates of key relevance to advanced musical activity today, both within academia and beyond. It encourages each student – whether musicologist, composer or performer – to consider how their field of activity is directly informed by other fields, and to produce work in their specialised areas which reflects this interdependence. Indicative topics for discussion might include (in alphabetical order):

• adaptation
• analysis
• audiences and institutions
• authorship, individuality, and intellectual property
• editions
• high brow vs. low brow
• music and the digital world
• music for children
• music in theatre and film
• musicologically-informed performance
• nationalism and politics
• questions of style
• word-text relations

Each week topics will be explored from a range of perspectives, with the aim of encouraging students to consider how their field of activity (musicology, performance, composition) is directly informed by other fields, and to consider their interdependence. Preparation tasks are set in advance of the classes and students are expected to participate in discussion. The exact syllabus is subject to change, but students can expect to engage with topics such as:

• adaptation
• analysis
• audiences and institutions
• authorship, individuality, and intellectual property
• editions and their role in shaping traditions
• high brow vs. low brow
• music and the digital world
• music for children
• music in theatre and film
• musicologically-informed performance
• nationalism and politics
• questions of style
• word-text relations

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (C– to C+, 50-59%) Work which demonstrates an understanding of the module content and the ability to think in an informed and logical manner, and which is expressed coherently.

Good (B– to B+, 60-69%) Work which demonstrates mastery of the module content and the ability to think in a considered manner, and which is expressed with clarity and acuity.

Excellent (A– to A*, 70-100%) Work which demonstrates new insight into the module content and the ability to think in an original and conceptual manner, and which is expressed persuasively.

Relevant Masters-level Explicit Marking Criteria (for Musicology, Composition, and/or Music Performance) will also be used when assessing student work on this module. These may be found on the Blackboard page for this module.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop informed ideas about music, built constructively on the ideas of others.

• Express advanced ideas about music, and argue from their position.

• Identify and profit from links between musicological enquiry and the practices of composition and performance.