Unit outline_

CPNO3611: Recital Preparation 1

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

The purpose of each of the independent recital preparation units of study is to develop the range of skills that musicians must possess to prepare them to be professional performers in an ensemble situation. Students will receive training/instruction in all aspects of collaborative recital preparation. Through recital repertoire chosen by the student and the principal study teacher at the beginning of the semester, students will learn practical application of elements of preparation and performance including appropriate recital structure, issues in collaborative performance, strategies for improvement in accuracy of rhythmic and intonation control, ethics and professional conduct of a musician. Students must abide by the recital preparation attendance and rehearsal policy of the Collaborative Piano division.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Performance
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Theresa Leung, theresa.leung@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Eun-Jung Byun, eunjung.byun@sydney.edu.au
Phillip Shovk, phillip.shovk@sydney.edu.au
Theresa Leung, theresa.leung@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Skills Assessment.
Assessment of the quality of musical engagement and performance.
50% Multiple weeks Continuous assessment over the semester.
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Preparation and Professionalism
Based on attendance, preparation and professionalism throughout the course.
50% Ongoing Continuous assessment over the semester
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

The assessment will be ongoing and will constantly evaluate the level of preparation and skill.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for the Participation Assessment in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Outstanding preparedness for lesson/class. Student always demonstrated sound knowledge and serious application of principals studied. Outstanding engagement in class/lesson, including active contribution to discussions. Proactive approach to their studies, with evidence of own further study and research. Leadership qualities reliably evidenced both in discussion and in musical interpretation.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent preparedness for lesson/class with a serious application of principals studied. Excellent engagement in class/lesson, including in discussions. Evidence of some individual study and research. Leadership qualities often exhibited in discussions and/or musical interpretation.

Credit

65 - 74

Well prepared for lesson/class, with attempts at application of principals studied. Some engagement in class/lesson, including discussions. Some evidence of individual study and research. Limited exhibition of leadership qualities in discussion and/or musical interpretation.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement in lesson/class. Limited engagement in lesson/class discussion with little or no exhibition of leadership skills.  Limited evidence of individual study. 

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory standard of preparation and musical engagement for lesson/class. Little/no engagement in discussion or evidence of leadership skills. Little/no evidence of individual study.

 

The following assessment criteria are used for the Skills Assessment in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

A stylistic interpretation of works performed, demonstrating comprehensive awareness of the presented genres and composers' styles. Outstanding technical proficiency, with the ability to utilise technique to achieve the desired colours and sound qualities appropriate to the works. The performance will demonstrate excellent collaborative skills, including in relation to rhythm, sound, and texture. The student will exhibit an outstanding understanding of, and sensitivity to, the qualities and nuances of the collaborating instruments or vocal parts. In vocal/piano works, a successful interpretation based on the text with sensitivity to vocal diction will be displayed.  The student will show evidence of an individual voice and personal representation of the works. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary musical artistry and profound musical voice for this Course and Level.

Distinction

75 - 84

Confident presentation of works, with evidence of musical and stylistic understanding. Technical mastery sufficiently achieved. Room for more development in the areas of sound quality appropriate to the style. Demonstration of solid collaborative skills and a clear understanding of the collaborating instrumental and/or vocal parts, with room for a more nuanced approach. In vocal/piano works, an interpretation based on the text will be evident, with some sensitivity towards vocal diction. Some personal interpretation of the work demonstrated. 

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of solid musicality and technical proficiency, with some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues.  Collaborative skills not fully developed at this stage, with lapses in ensemble and little understanding of collaborating instrumental/vocal parts. In vocal/piano works, a basic understanding of the text and vocal diction. Potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Understanding of musical style and genre is limited, with inconsistencies in technical proficiency and limited demonstration of collaborative skills, understanding of collaborating instruments/voices and song texts.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Unsatisfactory demonstration of collaborative skills. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call in to question the student’s future direction in the programme.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As assessment is evaluated around aspects of participation, it is not possible to give late penalties.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Coaching-rehearsals with Collaborative Piano staff on Recital Repertoire One-to-one tuition (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Pre-recitals performances in Performance Workshop, or similar performance class. Performance (0.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Recital Performance (1 hr) LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare for rehearsals, including how to effectively study the full score.
  • LO2. demonstrate nuanced collaborative skills, appropriate to the repertoire studied.
  • LO3. improve and develop rehearsal skills through engagement with Collaborative Piano staff and other associate artists, where applicable.
  • LO4. have convincingly performed, as part of this ensemble team, some of your repertoire in pre-recital performances, in preparation for your final recital.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Learning activities updated from 'online' to 'in-person' coachings. Learning outcomes refined, assessment breakdown refined. Assessment criteria refined and expanded.

For Pianists taking this Unit of Study:
If a student is enrolled in the Collaborative Piano stream of a performance degree, Recital Preparation can be taken to give the student an opportunity to prepare solo repertoire, to be performed in a jury-recital at the end of Semester.
If a pianist wishes to prepare a concerto (movement/s) this course gives the student the opportunity to work with a member of the Collaborative Piano unit in preparation for a final, end-of-semester concerto performance.
If a pianist wishes to prepare a program with an instrumentalist or vocalist, this course allows the student to have coaching on that program with a member of the Collaborative piano unit, to be performed in an end-of-semester jury-recital.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.