Module WMP-4124:
Mus Ed Project
Contemporary Music Education Project 2024-25
WMP-4124
2024-25
School of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
John Cunningham
Overview
Students will work together as a group to create one or more projects centred on music education and outreach. It can take a variety of forms including a concert or other performance, a film or other media output, or a workshop with undergraduates or schoolchildren. The team will be coached by members of staff. The module is designed to give students experience of delivering a high-quality project within a strict deadline.
This module will be open to all MA programmes in Music, but is compulsory for MA Music Education. Students will work together as a group to create one or more projects centred on music education and outreach. It can take a variety of forms including a concert or other performance, a film or other media output, or a workshop with undergraduates or schoolchildren. The team will be coached by members of staff. The module is designed to give students experience of delivering a high-quality project within a strict deadline. The module will include a series of developmental workshops on aspects such as planning your project, devising and delivering workshops, curating concerts and events etc.
*If the project involves schoolchildren or vulnerable adults, it will be necessary for the students to draw up a Health & Safety Policy and a Child Protection Policy for approval by the School at least one month in advance of the event. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for students to have DBS checks.
Assessment Strategy
Pass: C– to C+ (50–59%) The crucial achievement is demonstration of a sound grasp of issues relating to music education, through the design and delivery of a collaborative project. Students will demonstrate: a sound awareness of issues relating to teaching, coaching and directing performers; confidence in communication and leadership; adequate skills in project design; adequate skills in project delivery (planning pacing etc.). However, the mark will be limited to this level by such things as: limitations in project design, such as suitability for the intended audience; limitations or shortcomings in the delivery of the project; limitations in team participation and involvement; unoriginal application of a pre-defined methodology, which results in a failure to address its limitations with regard to the subject matter concerned; heavy reliance on and unquestioned use of secondary literature; inability to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant; poor expression; incompetent bibliographical and footnoting skills.
Merit: B– to B+ (60–69%) The distinguishing quality is the demonstration of a robust understanding of issues relating to music education, through the design and delivery of a collaborative project. The work will therefore demonstrate the ability to: apply a robust methodology; diagnose and remedy problems in planning, designing and delivering the project; effectively communicate ideas and arguments; effectively work with project members and stakeholders; demonstrate a good understanding of issues relating to teaching, coaching and directing performance; demonstrate assurance in communication and leadership; demonstrate assurance in project design; demonstrate a good level of skill in project delivery (planning pacing etc.).
Distinction: A– and A (70–83%) The distinguishing quality is the demonstration of novel and original insights into music education, through the design and delivery of a collaborative project. Work of this category will typically result from: the aggregation of a sizeable body of previously unresearched information; the application of a range of methodologies; the solution of challenging problems or identification of hidden flaws in design and delivery of the project; excellent skills in team working and collaboration; strong and at times original insight into issues relating to coaching and directing performance; near-professional assurance in communication and leadership; near-professional assurance in project design; near-professional assurance in project delivery (planning pacing etc.).
Distinction: A+ to A** (84–100%) Work at this level is of a standard that attains or closely approaches professional standards and has the potential to re-define the area or methodological debate. The work will demonstrate in a consistent manner all of the features listed in the 70–84% category, and will be of such a quality that it demonstrates skills of model professional quality. For example: excellent and original insight into issues designing, planning and delivering a project; professional-level assurance in communication and leadership; professional-level assurance in project design; professional-level assurance in project delivery (planning pacing etc.).
Learning Outcomes
- Aassess project parameters and make appropriate design decisions leading to successful delivery.
- Advanced skills of collaboration and leadership.
- Appraise and evaluate their contribution to the composition, design, and delivery of a public-facing project.
- Critical evaluation and reflection and peer-evaluation.
- Demonstrate enhanced communication skills.
Assessment method
Report
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Contribution to the main project event (e.g. concert, outreach event etc.), accounting for 40% of the module grade in total. The event itself is to be delivered by the last week of teaching in Semester 2. For the main project event all students will receive the same group grade accounting for 20% of the module. Students will receive an individual grade based on the quality of their contribution to the event (also 20%). Each student must have a clearly defined role within the project, which must be agreed with group and then with the module tutors not later than reading week. The size and length of the project must be approved in advance by the module tutors, who will offer advice. The scope will be commensurate with the number of students participating. A recording of the project final event (e.g. concert etc.) must be made and uploaded to Blackboard. It is the Project Manager's responsibility to do this. If the project is ephemeral (e.g. a workshop or a concert) the module tutors will also be present in order to assess it 'live'. (However, please also see the next paragraph regarding the need to supply documentary evidence of the event.) Every project should be accompanied by a Group Write-Up, to be submitted on Monday of Week 13. This should set out the following: • the aims and objectives of the project • the names of those contributing to it • a list of roles undertaken by specific students, and accompanying ‘job description’ • documentary evidence of the development and delivery of the project (e.g. captioned photographs, videos, ephemera such as posters and programmes) • a shared evaluation of the project, taking into account feedback from any participants and/or stakeholders Depending on the nature of the project, there may also be references and a bibliography. The project manager for each group is responsible for submitting (though not for writing) the group's report. Students are advised to present the write-up in such a way that it can be used for promotion of the project to those who did not attend it. It is to be essentially positive in tone.
Weighting
40%
Due date
09/05/2025
Assessment method
Logbook Or Portfolio
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Supporting evidence of the individual student’s contribution to the project, to be submitted on Monday of Week 13 of Semester 2. This will normally take the form of an Individual Portfolio, comprising: • a brief record of the week-by-week process of preparing and delivering the project, noting the time spent on practical work (e.g. performance, improvisation, rehearsal, information gathering) • a discursive explanation of the roles undertaken as an individual and as a member of the team • a self-evaluation of each student's own contribution • a personal evaluation of the successes and weaknesses of the project, with reference to the aims and objectives set out in the Group contribution • recommendations for future development of this and similar projects • any materials created for the project by the student as an individual or as a member of a smaller team within the group In assessing this submission, the module tutors will take into account the following: • the quality of the student's contribution to the project as evidenced in the submission • demonstration of the student's critical and reflective skills In awarding a grade, the module tutors may also make reference to the weekly logs (on Blackboard) and their own observations of each student's contribution over the course of the project.
Weighting
60%
Due date
12/05/2025