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Unit of study_

EMUS2500: Historically Informed Style Workshop

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit of study presents students with an opportunity to learn the theory and to experience the nuts and bolts of historically informed performance (HIP). Today's performers need to be able to navigate their way through a wide variety of styles, genres and modes of performance. HIP is a growth area globally, which influences the style of performance of period and modern instrument ensembles and vocalists. Here in Australia, for example, the ACO requires its members to have a keen awareness of HIP conventions in repertoire ranging from 1600-1900. Students will explore readings from primary and secondary written sources, recordings (including historical recordings) and will learn how to apply their findings to repertoire spanning the high-Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Mini-lectures are combined with demonstrations of HIP style, peer-led discussions and practical workshops.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EMUS2500
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Daniel Yeadon, daniel.yeadon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Daniel Yeadon, daniel.yeadon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Style report 1
1000-wd written report on Romantic style
20% Week 03 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Style report 2
1000-wd written report on Classical style
20% Week 07 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration Final written assignment and lecture presentation
Written assignment and lecture presentation of same content
60% Week 13 As advised.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Final exam: Students submit (via Turnitin) a 2000-word written analysis of a musical piece of their choice, through the lens of HIP, with a performance and brief presentation of summarised style points.
  • Style reports 1 and 2: Students will be assessed on their assimilation of readings, discussions and reflective preparation for short performances.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Session 1: Introduction to HIP. Listening to turn-of-the-twentieth century recordings of Romantic repertoire, as well as contemporary recordings in period style. Discussion of expressive devices: tempo modification, rhythmic alteration, agogics, vibrato, portamento dislocation of melody from accompaniment, vibrato, portamento, arpeggiation. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Session 2: Discussion of readings from primary and secondary sources (historical treatises, book extracts, journal articles) Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Session 3: Students perform short pieces and discuss their interpretative choices, with reference to the style points from Sessions 1 and 2. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Session 4: Mini-lecture on HIP style in the Romantic period. Further readings from primary and secondary sources (Joachim, Baillot, Peres Da Costa, Brown, Bärenreiter Brahms sonata editions). Discussion. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Session 5: Listening to both turn-of-the twentieth-century and contemporary recordings of Classical repertoire. Discussion with reference to elements of Classical style: tempo considerations, hierarchy of beats, harmonic tension and release, articulation and slurring, ornamentation, Classical phrasing and line. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 Session 6: Discussion of readings from primary and secondary sources (historical treatises, book extracts, journal articles). Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Session 7: Students perform short pieces and discuss their interpretative choices, with reference to the style points from Sessions 5 and 6. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Session 8: Mini-lecture on HIP style in the Classical period. Further readings from primary and secondary sources (C.P.E. Bach, Türk, Baillot, Rode, Spohr, Brown). Forming a Classical interpretation by using evidence in the treatises and ‘extrapolating’ backwards from early recordings. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Session 9: Listening to contemporary recordings of Baroque repertoire, both HIP and mainstream modern interpretations. Discussion with reference to elements of Baroque style: dance, tempo considerations, beat hierarchy, harmonic tension and release, figured bass and continuo, articulation, and ornamentation. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Session 10: Discussion of readings from primary and secondary sources (historical treatises, book extracts, journal articles). Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Session 11: Students perform short pieces and discuss their interpretative choices, with reference to the style points from Session 10. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Session 12: Mini-lecture on HIP style in the Baroque period, and the recent history of HIP. Readings from primary and secondary sources (L. Mozart, Quantz, C.P.E. Bach, Türk, Dolmetsch, Kenyon, Taruskin, Haynes). Discussion on combining HIP and modern aesthetics to suit individual taste. Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 14 (STUVAC) Session 13 Lecture demonstration. Students submit a 2000-word written analysis of a musical piece of their choice, through the lens of HIP, with a performance and brief presentation of summarised style points. Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recording: Lectures for this unit of study will be recorded and made available to students via Canvas.
  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See reading list on Canvas.

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 awareness of historical performance styles in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods
  • LO2. listen critically to both modern and historical recordings and discern multiple elements of musical expression
  • LO3. critically evaluate readings from primary and secondary written sources
  • LO4. adopt elements of historical style within your own performances
  • LO5. broaden your approach to musical interpretation.

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.

Nothing since the last delivery of this unit.

See Canvas for additional information and regular updates.

Work, health and safety

Follow all Covid-19 safety requirements.

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.