MUSGEN 3008 - Choral Conducting

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course builds on the conducting skills developed in Foundations of Conducting and provides students with specific skills and techniques for working with choirs and vocal ensembles. The course will enable students to acquire skills in: developing choral tone; good choral diction; conducting in a manner that is sympathetic to the needs of singers; working with a variety of musical and choral styles; introduction to choral singing in languages other than English; advanced ensemble skills; effective rehearsal and problem solving; development of specific aural skills; working with a variety of musical styles and performance practices; repertoire and resources study including detailed score study of selected set works.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSGEN 3008
    Course Choral Conducting
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites MUSGEN 2010 (Credit or higher is strongly recommended)
    Incompatible GENMUS 2023, PERF 2023, PERF 2024
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Music students only unless permission has been granted by the Conservatorium
    Course Description This course builds on the conducting skills developed in Foundations of Conducting and provides students with specific skills and techniques for working with choirs and vocal ensembles. The course will enable students to acquire skills in: developing choral tone; good choral diction; conducting in a manner that is sympathetic to the needs of singers; working with a variety of musical and choral styles; introduction to choral singing in languages other than English; advanced ensemble skills; effective rehearsal and problem solving; development of specific aural skills; working with a variety of musical styles and performance practices; repertoire and resources study including detailed score study of selected set works.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Carl Crossin OAM

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Exhibit conducting and ensemble direction skills that, through accuracy, fluency, expressive awareness, confidence, and an appropriate use of relevant language and terminology, illustrate a maturing ability (well in advance of that required for Foundations of Conducting) to communicate an artistic concept to a choir or vocal ensemble through the use of appropriate language and gestures.

    2. Exhibit effective rehearsal strategies pertinent to working with choirs or vocal ensembles which arise from independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving (including the use of contemporary technologies) and an understanding of the leadership role of a conductor.

    3. Manifest a critical understanding of appropriate performance standards and an ability to assess one’s own performances and those of fellow musicians.

    4. Exhibit skills in leadership, performance etiquette, confidence, communication and collegial interaction with a choir or vocal ensemble.

    5. Exhibit curiosity, self-awareness and problem-solving skills that will enable continuous learning and growth.

    6. Demonstrate a maturing understanding of choral and vocal ensemble music through discussion, the written word and through their conducting skills.




    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 5, 6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 5, 6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3, 5, 6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3, 4, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Students will require a good (if not professional) quality conducting baton.
    Good quality lead (2B-4B) pencils and coloured pencils for score marking.

    Music scores and other materials will be provided to students as relevant.
    Recommended Resources
    A list of useful resources (books and online) will be provided for students in the course of the workshops.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course will be delivered through 10 weekly 2-hour workshops and up to 10 hours of specified sessions with choirs within and outside of the Conservatorium. Student learning will be ‘hands on’ with students regularly conducting the class as an ensemble using selected repertoire prepared by the students before each class. Lecturer feedback is given in each workshop.  The class will also be expected to observe 'best practice' through the observation and reveiw of experienced conductors working in schools and the community.
















    Workload

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

    CONTACT
    10 x 2 hour Workshop - (20 hours)
    Up to 10 hours attendance, obersvation and practical experience at choir rehearsals as advised/negotiated (10 hours)

    NON-CONTACT
    Conducting technique – private practice for individual skill development (Up to 36 hours)
    Observation & Review - of experienced conductors & ensembles (Up to 12 hours)
    Repertoire Study – listening and preparation (Up to 26 hours)
    Required reading & assignment writing (Up to 36 hours)
    Examination preparation (Up to 12 hours)




    Learning Activities Summary

    COURSE CONTENT

    Continued development of specific skills and techniques for working with instrumental ensembles including:

    • score study and preparation; working with choral scores

    • continued development of effective rehearsal planning and management

    • developing ensemble skills in choirs

    • developing a conductor's basic working knowledge of voices

    • effective rehearsal and problem solving as applied to the choral rehearsal

    • development of specific aural skills

    • developing choral tone

    • English diction

    • introduction to singing in languages other than English

    • working with a variety of musical styles

    • introduction to stylistic performance practices

    • introduction to program and concert planning

    Small Group Discovery Experience

    While this course is not the designated SGDE course for students in this faculty, there are many aspects of this course that fulfil or manifest the University’s SGDE requirements.

  • 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
    Practical Assessment (30%)
    Relevant Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Viva Voce Assessment (20%)
    Relevant Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Repertoire & Score Study Assignements and Annotated Bibliography (20%)
    Relevant Learning Outcomes 2, 5, 6

    Observation & Reviews (20%)
    Relevant Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Workshop/Class Participation (10%)
    Relevant Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Assessment Detail

    Both the Practical assessment and the Viva Voce assessment will enable the students to exhibit their maturing conducting skills, their choral understanding, and their developing ability to convey musical intent through a wide range of conducting gestures and appropriate language and terminoligy.

    The Repertoire, Score Study & Annotated Bibliography assignments will enable the students to develop and demonstrate their research skills, their analytical and score comprehension skills, their ability to plan and direct the rehearsal process, and their developing knowledge of the choral repertoire

    The Observation & Review assignment will required students to organise, prepare for, observe and critically review a minimum of two (2) related rehearsals of a choir or vocal ensemble (in an educational, community or professional setting) and their conductor thus exhibiting a maturing awareness of, and a developing ability to analyse and comment upon, good choral conducting practice.


    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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