Skip to main content
Unit of study_

MUSC2613: Music Ensembles Performance

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Ensemble Performance builds on the experience and skills cultivated in Music Performance. Students participate regularly in weekly rehearsal-workshops where ideas are tried out with the participation of peers and the Unit of Study coordinator. Students participate in various ensembles of different sizes, collaborating in a multiplicity of musical genres. This is a highly practical and challenging subject that encourages students to collaborate in a supportive and productive environment. Ensemble Performance culminates with a large-scale public performance in a public venue.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MUSC2613
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MUSC2612
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class and concert participation
Participation in class and concert and engagement in ensemble
20% Ongoing
Due date: 22 Oct 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 03 Nov 2021
Weekly and concert
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Seminar presentation
Seminar presentation on ensemble skills
20% Week 05
Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 10:00

Closing date: 17 Sep 2021
5-6 minutes per student
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Critical performance review/media release/program note
Critical review of online performance
10% Week 05
Due date: 17 Sep 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 08 Oct 2021
700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Ensemble performance
Practical performance in group setting
50% Week 10
Due date: 22 Oct 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 03 Nov 2021
Minimum of 3 performances
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

Performance assessments are not able to be handed in late due to ensemble work unless there is a medical certificate or special consideration.

Concert performance is not able to be performed late. A medical certificate or special consideration will need to be provided if the student cannot perform.

Assessment criteria

Fail

 

<50

Did not attend. Did not complete 3 ensemble tasks.

 

Pass

50-65

Attended class. Attempted ensembles.

 

Credit

65-75

Attended, demonstrated ensemble behaviours in 3 performances, seminar and written task

Distinction

75-85

Attended all classes and showed high level of ensemble engagement in at least 3 performances, advanced performance skills in seminar and performance setting, superior written skills

High Distinction

85-100

Superior ensemble in class and concert setting, seminar and written skills.  Demonstrates superior understanding and performance skills in all aspects of ensemble performance

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.

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:

Written work and seminar only - standard University penalties of 5% per day apply. Work later than 10 calendar days will be given a mark of zero.

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 Definition of ensemble skills Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

This is a full attendance class, as we are building ensemble.  Students who are unable to attend the intensive tutorials should not undertake this class. Students must attend 12/13 classes in order to pass this course.  A medical certificate or special consideration will be required if the student attends fewer than 12 classes over the course of the semester.

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

Chang, A., Kragness, H.E., Livingstone, S.R. et al. Body sway reflects joint emotional expression in music ensemble performance. Sci Rep 9, 205 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36358-4

Kawase S. Associations among music majors’ personality traits, empathy, and aptitude for ensemble performance. Psychology of Music. 2016;44(2):293-302. doi:10.1177/0305735614568697

Keller, P. (2014). Ensemble performance: Interpersonal alignment of musical expression. In D. Fabian, R. Timmers, & E. Schubert (Eds.), Expressiveness in music performance: Empirical approaches across styles and cultures (pp. 260–282). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199659647.003.0015

Keller, PE. Mental imagery in music performance: underlying mechanisms and potential benefits . Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2012 http://www.brainmusic.org/EducationalActivities/Keller_2012.pdf

Robson KE, Kenny DT. Music performance anxiety in ensemble rehearsals and concerts: A comparison of music and non-music major undergraduate musicians. Psychology of Music. 2017;45(6):868-885. doi:10.1177/0305735617693472

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0305735617693472?casa_token=hyAWIvBJLCwAAAAA%3A8xZ0lHAlKplR5y0zCe-Lm5uUFe7qkiQ4SBmUNQCARN1jZbL34_w-kVxBpY-WSULUsjVpYUokAKqakd0

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. Understand and apply principles of ensemble musical behaviours to a range of circumstances.
  • LO2. Understand and develop. critical thinking skills in creative performance environments in collaboration with other students.
  • LO3. Problem solve and create positive rehearsal behaviours.
  • LO4. Work with other musicians to build musical skills in ensemble.

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.

This class has not run for 4 years so there is no closing the loop available.

Site visit guidelines

Subject to Covid protocols.

Work, health and safety

Students will be online for the first 5 weeks of class due to Covid restrictions.  Social distancing requirements for the intensive rehearsals will be advised closer to the time.

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.