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Course profile

Ensemble Studies 6 (MUSC3755)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Music School

Advanced study of Western classical music ensemble preparation and performance

Students taking this course participate in and are assessed on their work in one of five different ensemble options:


  1. Chamber Singers (UQCS)
  2. Symphony Orchestra (UQSO)
  3. Wind Symphony (UQWS)
  4. Stagecraft - vocal students only
  5. Chamber Music


Each option has a different application process, and students are encouraged to provisionally enrol in the course while going through the application process. If you are not successful in your application, you must either apply for another option or drop your enrolment in the course.


The application processes will be advised in Blackboard prior to Orientation week.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MUSC2755

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

MUSC3145

Course contact

Course staff

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Students in this course are expected to attend all classes, rehearsals and performances for the ensemble on which they successfully auditioned. Any requests for planned absences must be provided in writing to the relevant teacher(s) and course coordinator well in advance, and medical certificates for unplanned absences must be provided as soon as possible following the period of absence.

Aims and outcomes

This advancedᅠcourse develops your capacity and ability to rehearse and perform as part of an ensemble.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate your understanding of effective collaborative approaches to the preparation of ensemble repertoire for performance at an advanced level.

LO2.

Identify and overcome challenges in the preparation of individual parts in a manner that supports being an effective ensemble performer at an advanced level

LO3.

Demonstrate your awareness of professional expectations surrounding ensemble performance in varied contexts at an advanced level

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Participation/ Student contribution, Performance, Practical/ Demonstration Performance Report/Director's Report
  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
60%

Week 7 - Week 13

Precise times of assessment activities will be communicated via Blackboard

Practical/ Demonstration Hurdle Task - Week 2 - Chamber Music ONLY Pass/Fail

29/07/2024 - 2/08/2024

Details of time and place of this assessment will be provided via Blackboard

Participation/ Student contribution, Performance, Practical/ Demonstration Performance Report/Director's Report
  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
40%

Week 1 - Week 6

Precise times of assessment activities will be communicated via Blackboard

Assessment details

Performance Report/Director's Report

  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Participation/ Student contribution, Performance, Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
60%
Due date

Week 7 - Week 13

Precise times of assessment activities will be communicated via Blackboard

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

At the completion of the activities for the semester a final report for UQSOUQ Chamber Singers, UQWS members and those studying Stagecraft is provided by the Ensemble Director or UQ assessor.

At the completion of the semester a final performance report for Chamber Music is provided in response to a 15-20 min performance of selected repertoire. All students in the Chamber Music stream must attend this performance forum.

Any rubrics or marking criteria will be made available on Blackboard before the start of semester.

Submission guidelines

Not a submissible item, assessment is performance based throughout the second half of semester.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

An extension/deferral is not possible for assessment based on participation and engagement with group learning activities undertaken throughout the semester. 

Hurdle Task - Week 2 - Chamber Music ONLY

Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
Pass/Fail
Due date

29/07/2024 - 2/08/2024

Details of time and place of this assessment will be provided via Blackboard

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

Chamber Music Ensembles will consult with their assigned tutor or Course Coordinator in order to confirm the suitability of their project and develop a framework for the semester's work. Repertoire will also be confirmed for the hurdle requirement with the designated tutors.

Submission guidelines

In discussion with your tutor or course coordinator.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Performance Report/Director's Report

  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Participation/ Student contribution, Performance, Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
40%
Due date

Week 1 - Week 6

Precise times of assessment activities will be communicated via Blackboard

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

Students will receive an Interim assessment comprising 40% of the assessment for this course. Rubrics or marking criteria will be made available on Blackboard before the start of semester.

For UQ Chamber Singers, this is provided by the ensemble leader no later than the end of Week 6. 

For UQ Symphony Orchestra, this assessment will be a practical audition (conducted in Week 1) comprised of selected excerpts from the repertoire to be performed. A report form will be provided to the student by the end of Week 2.

For UQ Wind Symphony, a practical audition (conducted in Week 1) comprised of selected excerpts from the repertoire to be performed. A report form will be provided to the student by the end of Week 2.

For Chamber Music, students must perform between 10-15 minutes of selected repertoire in week 6 in an open masterclass setting and receive a written report the following week.

Submission guidelines

Not a submissible item, assessment is performance based throughout the first half of semester.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

An extension/deferral is not possible for assessment based on participation and engagement with group learning activities undertaken throughout the semester. 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 1 -

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Some engagement with the assessment tasks; however no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts in the field of study

2 (Fail) 25 -

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Deficiencies in understanding the fundamental concepts of the field of study

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 -

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study

4 (Pass) 50 -

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Adequate knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study

5 (Credit) 65 -

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Good knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study

6 (Distinction) 75 -

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Substantial knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study

7 (High Distinction) 85 -

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Mastery of content

Additional course grading information

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 

To pass this course, students must receive a passing grade for the pass/fail components of the course (where applicable) and achieveᅠan average of aᅠgrade of 4 (or higher) across the remaining assessment items.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.

Additional assessment information

Supplementary assessment is not available for assessment based on your participation and engagement with learning activities undertaken throughout the semester.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.

Required

Item Description Further Requirement
Instruments Students are expected to bring their own instruments to all ensemble activities as advised. Students who are either required or invited to participate in any ensemble activity are expected to bring their own instrument to rehearsals and performances, with the following exceptions where the School will provide the instruments: cor anglais bass clarinet contra-bassoon percussion own item needed
Scores A range of public domain and copyrighted materials will be required for the various elements of this course. Music scores for choral works may have to be purchased, hired or downloaded. Orchestral scores will be provided. Chamber Music scores can be hired from UQ library or accessed through public domain. Please see Blackboard for details. own item needed
Hearing Protection Students and staff participating in some practical activities are exposed to hazardous noise, and must have appropriate hearing protection to reduce the level of exposure so it is safe to participate in those activities. Currently identified activities are: Brass Ensemble and Workshop Saxophone Ensemble Percussion Ensemble and Workshop Flute Ensemble and Workshop Students must obtain and use custom fitted musician moulds with 10dB attenuation to participate in these practical activities. These can be purchased at the UQ Health and Rehabilitation Clinics through the Audiology Clinic. Additional activities may be identified during the semester as a result of our ongoing testing processes, and announced on Blackboard. own item needed

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

Not Timetabled

Chamber Ensemble Tutorials

All student-led chamber music ensembles will receive 6 hours of tutorials from relevant performance staff, distributed regularly throughout the semester (with a minimum of 3 to be scheduled before the mid semester break). Dates and times for tutorials will be scheduled in consultation with the allocated ensemble tutor(s).

Tutors expect demonstrable progress between tutorials and for student ensemble leaders to maintain regular contact. Ensembles must rehearse regularly (multiple times per week) and group members should divide responsibility equitably for different undertakings to ensure the smooth functioning of the ensemble.(For example - librarian, room bookings, rehearsal set-up and tutorial organisation.)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Practical

Stagecraft

All students in this activity are expected to attend regular timetabled weekly classes, any additional classes and activities that are scheduled in the lead-up to performances, and those performances. Dates and times for additional rehearsals and performances will be announced on Blackboard as the semester progresses.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Practical

UQ Chamber Singers Rehearsals and Performances

All students in this ensemble are expected to attend regular timetabled weekly rehearsals, any additional rehearsals that are scheduled in the lead-up to performances, and those performances. Dates and times for additional rehearsals and performances will be announced on Blackboard as the semester progresses.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Not Timetabled

Private Practice

All streams of activity in this course require diligent individual practice and preparation (including non-teaching weeks). You may also wish to use some time in your lessons in Performance Studies to cover some repertoire in Ensemble Studies. This will be at the discretion of your principal tutor.

Learning outcomes: L02, L03

Practical

UQ Wind Symphony Rehearsals and Performances

All students who successfully auditioned for this ensemble are expected to practice and prepare parts to a high level for rehearsals and performances. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals. In addition to the scheduled rehearsal time, Wind Symphony members are expected to assist with the setup and bump-out procedures each week as this builds industry practice knowledge in wind symphony functioning within the industry.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Practical

UQ Symphony Orchestra Rehearsals and Performances

All students who successfully auditioned for this ensemble are expected to practice and prepare parts to a high level leading up to the start of intensive activity focused in and around Project Week. Due to the intensive nature of study in this stream (there are no timetabled weekly rehearsals), students must commit to attend all rehearsals without exception. Most rehearsals will take place after hours between 6.30-9.30pm. All of the evenings of Project Week should be reserved for this activity in addition to the weekend of the performance. The final timetable for rehearsals will be finalised by the end of Week 4 of semester.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

  • School of Music site
  • Health and Wellbeing for Musicians