Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate functional musical skills that display accuracy, fluency, advanced technical skill and a developing expressive sense in the ensemble context

2. Exhibit effective practising strategies, rehearsal discipline, an understanding of the importance of active listening, responsiveness and teamwork which shows sensitivity to the performance of colleagues with evidence of effective working relationships

3. Manifest a developing awareness of professional standards and expectations in ensemble music-making and related aspects

4. Apply creative and innovative solutions collectively and personally

5. Exhibit developing skills in rehearsal planning, management and ensemble leadership and direction

All music for ensembles will be provided.

• Each ensemble’s director (or activity co-ordinator) will plan and organise the repertoire to be studied by the ensemble and provide a rehearsal schedule that will enable students to be adequately prepared for each performance.
  
  
• Students may be expected to sight-read parts in some instances, and to listen to recordings of works being studied.
  
  
• Given that the essence of ensemble music making is the total interdependence of each individual musician on each other, there is an expectation of 100% attendance at all rehearsals and classes.
  
  
• Students will be placed in two ensembles/components, to be determined by the relevant Heads of Studies and/or conductor on the basis of ensemble auditions or other relevant selection criteria.
  
  
• The components for 2017 are:  Accompanying, Brass Ensemble, Chamber Music, Chamber Orchestra, Chorale (SATB choir), Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Big band, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Keyboard Musicianship, Latin Ensemble, Opera Preparation (Stagecraft & Theatre Skills), percussion Ensemble, Rhythm & Reading Ensemble, Rhythm Matters, Small Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Words About Music

The actual contact hours and workload will vary depending on the ensemble/activity within which each student is placed.

Each component will involve up to 48 hours of contact time for the semester.  For ensembles this is usually expressed as 2 x 2 hours rehearsal per week for 12 weeks.  In addition, students are expected to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week in private practice and preparation.

For non-ensemble based activities, each lecturer will inform students of the workload detail but typically involve up to 2 hours contact time per component with up to 5 hours of structured private learning per component.

Schedules of rehearsals, performances and other activities will be provided by the staff member responsible for each ensemble or class.

Assessment for each component varies according to the nature of the ensemble/activity.

In general however, each component will consist of two assessments as follows:

Assessment 1 – Individual parts assessment (for ensembles) or equivalent as applicable for other components  (Weighting 40%)
Relevant learning Outcomes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment 2 – Individual parts assessment (for ensembles) or equivalent as applicable for other components  (Weighting 60%)
Relevant learning Outcomes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Conductors and lecturers will provide further assessment detail as relevant to each component.

ECSO and ECWO
Practical assessment 1 – upload performed excerpts of rehearsed repertoire (40%)
Written assessment based on listening assignment (10%)
Practical assessment 2 – upload mock audition (50%)

Chorale & Bella Voce
Practical assessments – upload individually pre-recorded parts from repertoire (3 x 20% = 60%)
Written assessment based on directed listening assignment (40%)
Jazz Ensembles
Semester 1 will have activities split across Semester 1 and a 3-week Summer Intensive.

In semester 1 ensembles will meet online each week and work on sight-reading, rhythm exercises, group audio recording and group video recording projects.

In the summer intensive, groups will meet for daily rehearsals. Large ensembles will have directors for each session, small ensembles will have directors for two each sessions each week.

Assessment for both large and small ensemble:
40% of the semester grade will come from Semester 1 projects and online exams
60% of the semester grade will come from ensemble exams in the summer intensive.

Rhythm Matters
Assessment is the unchanged although there is now a video submission instead of a live final assessment.

Accompanying & Keyboard Musicianship
Assessments are unchanged.

Chamber Music
Assessment details provided below:

TASK 1
Choose ONE of the two works listed below
· Schubert Trout quintet D667 op 114
· Carl Nielsen Wind quintet in A major op 43
Listen to your chosen work on youtube. Consider the work specifically from a chamber music perspective and comment on aspects of the style of writing, and the way the composer utilises the instruments either singly or in combination.

Make observations about motivic interplay, choice of register etc and consider the implications of the writing in terms of ensemble, balance, blend, texture and structural features etc.
Use the IMSLP score provided to look at the work in detail and give examples, referencing the score to support your ideas.

(Word count 1500) Task 1 is due by COB on Friday May 15th (40%)

TASK 2
Design and curate a chamber music program based on a particular concept or theme of your own choosing. This theme should provide a connective thread that links the chosen works to each other in an imaginative way.

You will need to submit:
· A curated program of no less than 50 minutes and no more than 60 minutes duration
· A written outline of the theme or concept upon which the curated program is based. (minimum 200 words)
· Detailed original program notes that give insight into the chosen works, and that draw common links to the central theme of the program.

(Word count minimum 1750) Task 2 is due by COB on Friday June 12th (60%)


ECSO and ECWO
Practical assessment 1 – upload performed excerpts of rehearsed repertoire (40%)
Written assessment based on listening assignment (10%)
Practical assessment 2 – upload mock audition (50%)

Chorale & Bella Voce
Practical assessments – upload individually pre-recorded parts from repertoire (3 x 20% = 60%)
Written assessment based on directed listening assignment (40%)
Jazz Ensembles
Semester 1 will have activities split across Semester 1 and a 3-week Summer Intensive.

In semester 1 ensembles will meet online each week and work on sight-reading, rhythm exercises, group audio recording and group video recording projects.

In the summer intensive, groups will meet for daily rehearsals. Large ensembles will have directors for each session, small ensembles will have directors for two each sessions each week.

Assessment for both large and small ensemble:
40% of the semester grade will come from Semester 1 projects and online exams
60% of the semester grade will come from ensemble exams in the summer intensive.

Rhythm Matters
Assessment is the unchanged although there is now a video submission instead of a live final assessment.

Accompanying & Keyboard Musicianship
Assessments are unchanged.

Chamber Music
Assessment details provided below:

TASK 1
Choose ONE of the two works listed below
· Schubert Trout quintet D667 op 114
· Carl Nielsen Wind quintet in A major op 43
Listen to your chosen work on youtube. Consider the work specifically from a chamber music perspective and comment on aspects of the style of writing, and the way the composer utilises the instruments either singly or in combination.

Make observations about motivic interplay, choice of register etc and consider the implications of the writing in terms of ensemble, balance, blend, texture and structural features etc.
Use the IMSLP score provided to look at the work in detail and give examples, referencing the score to support your ideas.

(Word count 1500) Task 1 is due by COB on Friday May 15th (40%)

TASK 2
Design and curate a chamber music program based on a particular concept or theme of your own choosing. This theme should provide a connective thread that links the chosen works to each other in an imaginative way.

You will need to submit:
· A curated program of no less than 50 minutes and no more than 60 minutes duration
· A written outline of the theme or concept upon which the curated program is based. (minimum 200 words)
· Detailed original program notes that give insight into the chosen works, and that draw common links to the central theme of the program.

(Word count minimum 1750) Task 2 is due by COB on Friday June 12th (60%)