Unit outline_

PERF1641: Principal Study Performance 1

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Students will explore repertoire appropriate to their individual or vocal development. There will bean emphasis on the development of technical skills and musical expression. Students will gainexperience in performance and presentation through the performance workshop where they willalso learn from reflecting on their own and their peers' work. On completion of this unit studentsshould be able to demonstrate musical and technical skills that will prepare their instrumental orvocal studies at higher levels.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Performance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Available to students who successfully auditioned into their chosen Principal Study for the BMus and Diploma Performance degrees.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lu Liu, lu.liu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test hurdle task Skills-based assessment(s)
Skills-based assessment(s). See Discipline Canvas site for more details
40% Multiple weeks N/A AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Studio Mark
Studio Mark
50% Ongoing Weekly AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Practical skill hurdle task Performance workshop and group class participation
Performance workshop and group class participation
10% Ongoing N/A AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Out-of-class quiz hurdle task Early Feedback Task Canvas quiz - Early Feedback Task
Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03
Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59
5-10mins AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

See Canvas for details.

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry. Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. All of these aspects have been developed at the highest level throughout semester. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance and commitment to performance preparation. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of musicality and stylistic achievement. Technical, artistic and/or stylistic achievements exhibited with potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Developing consistency in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing.

Fail

0 - 49

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

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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
Weekly Hours may vary each week. The teaching format of this unit of study contains 13 x 1-hour lessons, a number of instrumental Group Classes and a number of Performance Workshops. Studio (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.
  • Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean (Education) or relevant delegate. The Associate Dean (Education) 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 per cent.
  • In additional to the rule above, full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where a student’s contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar or tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of special consideration, 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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 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 achievement of, and improvement in, instrumental/vocal technique and creative musicality in practice, lessons and performance. (Studio mark, Skills-based assessment)
  • LO2. Engage constructively towards practice, lessons and performances as expected at the tertiary level including with your peers and the academic staff with whom you will interact. (Studio mark, PW, Group classes)
  • LO3. Begin to conceive an artistic and scholarly-focussed interpretation and collaboration in response to the curriculum. (Studio mark)
  • LO4. Show an increased familiarity with the current professional context. (Group classes, PW)
  • LO5. Critically reflect on their own and their peers’ performances and other interactions with integrity, courtesy and collegiality. (Group classes, PW)
  • LO6. Demonstrate engagement with published University procedures and communication. (Early Feedback Task)

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.

NA

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