ENS 3009B - Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra 3 part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

Rehearsal and performance of repertoire for symphony orchestra.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENS 3009B
    Course Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra 3 part 2
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week, plus additional rehearsals prior to concerts
    Prerequisites Audition
    Incompatible 8163 (pre 2002)
    Restrictions Priority is given to Music degree students but course is available to non-music students (by audition)
    Course Description Rehearsal and performance of repertoire for symphony orchestra.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Keith Crellin

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Develop musical performance skills in the context of symphony orchestra rehearsals and concerts that display accuracy, fluency, advanced technical skills and a mature expressive sense along with a strong conceptual and interpretative understanding of the chosen and prescribed works
    2. Develop effective practising strategies which arise from independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving including the use of contemporary technologies
    3. Develop critical understanding of own and others’ musical performances in relation to the standards required for a professional orchestral career
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Those students needing to loan Conservatorium instruments must organise this with the appropriate Head of Studies.
    Recommended Resources
    The Elder Music Library located in the Hartley building is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings.
    Online Learning
    The Elder Music Library located in the Hartley building is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
    For any ensemble to work at all, let alone successfully, every single member must be both committed and accountable. Unlike almost any other class within the Conservatorium, ensembles only succeed when all members are present, actively participating, and accountable to each other, to the conductor, and to the music.

    This expectation to actively and positively participate in 100% of required rehearsals and performances is totally in keeping with several of the Graduate Attributes for the three undergraduate music programs. The Graduate Attributes most relevant to ensembles are:
    • Sensitivity to others and the ability to function as part of a team.
    • Commitment to excellence and the striving towards the highest possible personal and professional standards.
    • A clear understanding of the professional world and the standards required for professional work.
    RATIONALE FOR ENSEMBLE EXPECTATIONS
    The rationale for the Conservatorium’s Participation and Attendance Policy in relation to ensembles is simple and universal. It is derived from both professional practice and from the very nature of ensemble music-making itself.

    Performance ensembles - symphony orchestras, wind orchestras, choirs, jazz ensembles et cetera - do not work successfully without the commitment and positive participation of every single member, irrespective of how skilled those individual members may be. Naturally, the vocal or instrumental skills of the individual members contribute greatly to the overall quality of the ensemble but it is the ‘working together’ which actually makes the ensemble function.

    Your commitment to the ensemble involves the following three key aspects of ensemble discipline:
    • your willingness to be musically and personally prepared for every rehearsal and performance. Being prepared means (a) having the appropriate music and a pencil at rehearsal and (b) spending some time during the previous week doing any personal work on the music that either the conductor has specified, or that you feel is necessary for to keep up with the general pace of the ensemble.
    • positive participation made possible by regular, punctual attendance
    Being punctual actually means you should be in the rehearsal studio at least 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time and in place ready to play or sing approximately 5 minutes before the scheduled starting time. Principally, this allows you time to get mentally and physically ready for the rehearsal. The conductor should not have to gather the ensemble together into their places in order to begin rehearsal. Ideally, a rehearsal should be able to begin with a few words of welcome from the conductor, minimal instructions about which piece is being rehearsed first, and a downbeat.
    If the ensemble as a whole works well, everyone’s musical satisfaction is heightened; everyone benefits. Punctuality and good ensemble discipline not only enable the ensemble to function well and efficiently, they are signs of respect for colleagues, for the ensemble as a whole, for the conductor, and for the actual music-making at the core of your ensemble’s existence.
    At the Conservatorium, as in the professional world, punctuality means being in place, ready to rehearse well before the start time.

    • a willingness to be focused in rehearsal and performance, and to consistently give your best
    Being focused means:
    (a) being musically and mentally engaged and ‘in the moment’ for the entire rehearsal or performance;
    (b) being attentive and responsive to the conductor’s verbal and gestural instructions at all times;
    (c) using a pencil (not a shared one either!) to record on the music all markings necessary for the effective retention of all relevant instructions by the conductor;
    (d) changing music when required, in an efficient, no-fuss manner;
    (e) being aware of, and responsive to, the ambience and momentum of the rehearsal as established by the conductor and by the music itself.

    In other words, you are expected to be totally professional in your relationship with your colleagues, the conductor and the music.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The workload for this course consists of tutorials, sectionals, rehearsals and concerts.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The ECSO noticeboard is located in the Elder Hall foyer (Northern glass door entrance). Please refer to the ECSO noticeboard for the schedule, which details all commitments for the year; and to rehearsal orders that give specific details on running orders for individual commitments. Running orders will be affixed to the noticeboard before each call.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Concerts
    A list of concerts, dress rehearsals, dates and times will be pinned to the ECSO noticeboard at the beginning of the year. It is expected students record these details early to avoid ‘double-booking’.
    Dress Code
    Two dress codes apply to concerts this year: the ensemble will be notified of which before each concert.
    Performance Black
    Gentlemen: black long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, socks and shoes.
    Ladies: black long-sleeved tops/shirts, long skirts/trousers, shoes, with black socks or black/flesh-coloured stockings.
    Formal
    Gentlemen: white dinner shirt, black bow tie, black tux and polished black shoes.
    Ladies: see All Black(above)
    No jeans, track pants, pinstripes, ostentatious jewellery or sneakers. Cover up, and aim to blend in rather than stand out.
    Repertoire (individual parts)
    Parts will be distributed to keep individually prior the commencement of each programme for each student to keep to period. It is expected students spend time learning and preparing parts before rehearsals, and to work on sections the conductor has specified after rehearsal. Students are required to study and become proficient in the performance of their individual parts and to present a high standard of musical and technical ability in rehearsals and concerts. These parts should be brought to every call. Please note that these must be returned post-concert: as they are photocopies, it is a copyright requirement that they are destroyed.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Weighting as follows:
    Semester One: Individual Assessment I 30%
    Semester One: Individual Assessment II 30%
    Semester Two: 30%
    Semester Two: Contribution to the ensemble 10%
    Full year grade: 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    100% attendance at rehearsals and concerts is expected.
    Assessment Detail
    Students will be examined in small groups (usually in sections) with the provision that individual parts may be required to be played from within those groups. The format for these assessments will depend on repertoire, and students will be notified of details prior to each scheduled assessment via the noticeboard.
    Submission
    Not applicable.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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