Module Catalogue 2024/25

MUS2092 : Folk Ensemble 2

MUS2092 : Folk Ensemble 2

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Catriona Macdonald
  • Lecturer: Dr Matt Price
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Code Title
MUS1092Folk Ensemble 1
Pre Requisite Comment

This module is also open to W300, W304 and W301 and exchange students in Music who have a background in Folk playing. A short audition with Module Leader is required before joining this module.

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Building on MUS1092, a series of weekly three hour small group (Max 4 students) tutor-led workshops will challenge and support students in the development of ensemble skills, and the application and further development of arranging skills learnt in Stage 1 Music Theory Modules. Students will be given listening assignments in preparation for specific workshops, and the ensembles will work with both prescribed digital and manuscript collections and self-selected repertoire. Ensemble groups meet for a further two hours per week for unsupervised rehearsal in order to further develop arrangements. As part of the learning and self-assessment process ensembles will further develop their vocal group skills in the area of vocal arrangement. Ensemble groups will give at least one short informal presentation to fellow students and friends per semester.

The aims of the module are:

- To enhance skills in ensemble playing - listening, balancing sounds, blending voice and instruments, playing tightly together, giving each other musical space and complementing the sound of others
- To enhance arranging skills - building on the theoretical base gained in stage 2 and compliment MUS2050 or other creative practice modules taken.
- To develop further the ability to work productively in groups, negotiate outcomes and manage conflicts and tensions
- To learn how to make demo level audio recordings with workshops led by technical staff

Outline Of Syllabus

Compulsory module for W344 students - please see module aims

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students should acquire:
- A more developed understanding of how ensembles function
- A balanced instrumental and vocal repertoire suitable for ensemble performances, and work on creating a vocal group arrangement.
- A developed understanding of the use of audio sound recording as a rehearsal and creative tool
- A practical understanding of group dynamics and effective strategies to produce positive outcomes from group situations.
- Make good demo audio recordings of min.four of the semester 2 ensemble pieces.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students should acquire more effective:
- listening skills
- abilities to play together in a performance environment mirroring current practice in the field
- communication and organisational skills and abilities to work productively in groups, negotiate outcomes and manage conflicts and tensions
- capacities to document the process of group arrangements in ways that maximise efficient use of rehearsal time
- arrangement and compositional skills and concepts learnt in previous modules and elsewhere
- abilities to use sound recording to capture ensemble arrangements
- improve stagecraft and performance skills

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching221:0022:00PIP. Tutor-led Vocal group workshops.
Guided Independent StudySkills practice561:0056:00Individual practice.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching222:0044:00PIP. Unsupervised timetabled student led group rehearsals.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching223:0066:00PIP. Tutor-led timetabled ensemble workshops.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops26:0012:00Workshops or performances.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

In addition to weekly, 3 hour staff led sessions, and 2 hours of unsupervised ensemble work. Ensemble groups will also perform in regular ICMuS student concerts and/or alternative concert opportunities.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Performance151A15Interim recital/presentation, 3 ensemble sets required.
Performance302A50A public recital lasting 30 minutes
Performance202A15Vocal group recital
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio2A20A vocal group arrangement submitted as an audio recording and Sibelius score (5%) and 4 self-recorded/mixed ensemble sets (15%) .
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A summative interim recital of three sets in semester 1 will reward work done in ensemble groups during the early part of the academic year.

The summer recital will require students to apply knowledge gained from the module’s key themes through independent research and through the development of ensemble arrangement and interpersonal skills.
A diary documenting the rehearsal process and evolution of arrangements should be kept as evidence that the student has engaged with the material of the module both during class and during private study time. A satisfactory level of engagement must be demonstrated to gain the mark awarded for the recital.

An individual student’s contribution to their ensemble over the semester can inflect the mark for his or her recital.

The Vocal group arrangement submitted in semester 2 will evidence work done on collectively creating a vocal arrangement for the stage 2 group, and the student ensemble recordings will evidence recording workshops given by technical staff.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

n/a

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.