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Unit of study_

PERF5035: Conducting 4

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

The final performance prepared and presented in this semester forms the capstone of the Master of Music Studies (Conducting) program.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PERF5035
Academic unit
Credit points 12
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator John Lynch, john.lynch@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) John Lynch, john.lynch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam hurdle task Final performance recital
Performance
90% Week 13 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Program notes
Recital notes for each composition.
10% Week 13 One to three pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Final performance recital: Students sre required to present a final public performance and program notes. A panel will grade the performance of the conductor performing the works studies and rehearsed as well as the program notes.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

Result name 

Mark range 

Description 

High distinction 

85 - 100 

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. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry. 

Distinction 

75 - 84 

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

Credit 

65 - 74 

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development. 

Pass 

50 - 64 

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area. 

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 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 Introduction, goals, review, movement fundamentals warmups, sight singing/solfege, refine recital repertoire One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 02 Movement fundamentals warmups, ear training/solfege, score study, discussion of composers and recital compositions One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Movement fundamentals warmups, aural skills, score study, advanced conducting technique from Schweibert text, discuss rehearsal plan and techniques for first recital rehearsal. One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Movement fundamentals warmups, aural skills, score study, advanced conducting technique from Schweibert text, discuss rehearsal plan and techniques for first recital rehearsal, conduct work 1 from recital, study work 2 One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Aural skills, score study, advanced conducting technique from Schweibert text, discuss rehearsal plan and techniques for first recital rehearsal, conduct work 2 from recital, research and discuss background for work 3 One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Movement fundamentals warmups, aural skills, score study, advanced conducting technique from Schweibert text, refine rehearsal plan and techniques for first recital rehearsal, conduct work 3 from recital, research and discuss work 4 One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Movement fundamentals warmups, aural skills, score study, advanced conducting technique from Schweibert text, discuss rehearsal plan and techniques for first recital rehearsal, conduct work 4 from recital One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Prepare in detail for first recital rehearsal: gesture, rehearsal techniques, leadership skills, create in depth rehearsal plan One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 First rehearsal, discuss goals then outcomes. One-to-one tuition (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Second rehearsal, discuss goals then outcomes in one on one lesson following the rehearsal. Rehearsal (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Third rehearsal, discuss outcomes in one on one lesson following the rehearsal. Rehearsal (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Final rehearsal, discuss goals then outcomes in one on one lesson following the rehearsal. Review program notes and submit. Rehearsal (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Present final recital, discuss outcomes in one on one lesson following the performance. Performance (6 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions item 11(3), 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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Two chapters per week of reading and exercises from the textbook.

Jerald Schwiebert (2012). Physical Expression and the Performing Artist: Moving Beyond the Plateau. The University of Michigan Press, Michigan. 

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. present a public recital of the works studied and rehearsed
  • LO2. research information about the composer and works to be presented in the final recital performance and write scholarly program notes for the program
  • LO3. demonstrate advanced rehearsal techniques, leadership and communication skills working with an advanced ensemble in preparation for final performance
  • LO4. exhibit fluid, clear, expressive conducting technique reflecting concepts learned throughout the degree and in the assigned readings from Dr. Jerry Schweiber's text: "Expressive Conducting" Movement and Performance Theory for Conductors"
  • LO5. demonstrate advanced aural and sight singing skills refining what has been learned throughout the degree and in preparation for the final recital works.

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.

More input form all evaluators upon the final exam.

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.