Principal Study Conducting 2

This module builds upon the work of Stage 1 of the programme, allowing you to further extend and deepen your musical work in a range of contexts.

Module aims

This module is designed to:

• Foster technical and expressive mastery as a conductor
• Develop a mature musical personality and provide opportunities for its projection in-and-through practice
• Develop a knowledge base that supports understanding and facilitates the solving of complex musical problems
• Enable you to acquire the skills to pursue and sustain fulfilling, lifelong learning leading to informed performance at a professional level
• Develop perception, listening skills and self awareness and their application through responsive leadership in rehearsal and performance

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• LO1 Show advanced technical and expressive mastery in conducting
• LO2 Project a mature and individual musical personality in-and-through conducting
• LO3 Employ critical thinking in-and-through the process of making music

Assessment

Assessment 1: Portfolio and Viva (100%)

Work in this module is assessed by means of a submission of a portfolio of video recordings totalling 35-40 minutes, negotiated with the specialist teacher and agreed through the online student record. The portfolio may also include work arising from participation in the Agential Artist project alongside students from the MFA Classical and Contemporary text, or an Independent Project: a practice-based project that will allow you to develop a well-defined area of specialism demonstrating the learning outcomes of the module. Further information on submission requirements is detailed in the Assessment Specifications.

The viva voce examination takes place after the submission of the final portfolio. It is conducted by the same panel of examiners who have marked the portfolio itself, normally by the Head of Department, one internal examiner (not the candidate’s tutor) and the Specialist External Assessor. It allows the candidate to talk at length about their conducting work, offer a rationale for musical and technical decisions, and, through cross-examination and discussion, show a heightened understanding of the work in the context of both their individual voice and the wider cultural and musical context.

A single holistic grade is given for the portfolio and viva.

Assessed LOs: 1, 2, 3.

Assessment criteria

Assessors will look for:

LO1 – Show advanced technical and expressive mastery in conducting

• imagination and command
• an understanding of and an ability to balance textures
• an understanding of orchestral colour and scoring
• perceptive listening
• knowledge of score
• technical competence
• melodic shaping, line and structure
• rhythmic control
• knowledge of instruments
• sense of performance

LO2 – Project a mature and individual musical personality in-and-through conducting

• stage presence
• use of body language, eye contact and gesture
• committed, communicative and engaging response to the music
• imagination and creativity in performance
• confidence in performance
• consistency and reliability
• projection of ideas

LO3 – Employ critical thinking in-and-through the process of making music

• a knowledge of repertoire
• a knowledge of conductors and their style
• an appropriate choice of repertoire
• ability to structure and order a programme
• understanding of role in varying contexts
• knowledge of the characteristics of instruments
• knowledge of the capabilities of the orchestra as an instrument
• awareness of panoply, context and trend

Feedback

You will recieve regular formative feedback from your tutor in your lessons, and a written report twice a year. In some departments the tutor report will take the form of a mutually constructed feedback session.

You will receive a written feedback report on each A and B assessment.

Resources

Essential

Key resources will be recommended by principal study tutors.

Summary details

Module title	Principal Study Conducting 2
SCQF level	11
Credit rating	90 SCQF (45 ECTS)
Total notional student effort hours	900
Status	Core
Module coordinator	Head of Department
Pre-requisites	Principal Study Conducting 1
Co-requisites	Supporting Studies 2
Anti-requisites	None
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Scheduled study	30 (minimum)
Independent study	870 (maximum)
Total notional student effort	900