Overview

This module is designed to enable students to contextualise their practice-based studies by means of extended musicological and pedagogical research. In workshops and 1-to-1 tutorials, students will be introduced to a range of topics pertinent to performance research, including the identification, critical evaluation, and referencing of source materials (text-based materials, music scores, and recordings); the application of appropriate analytical methodologies to the study of music performance, and the exploration of other relevant contexts whether historical, cultural or specific to particular performance traditions.

Students will participate in a range of workshops where topics will be explored from several perspectives, with the aim of encouraging students to consider how their practice-based activities are directly informed by contextual disciplines including musicology and performance pedagogy. Sessions will focus on identifying and referencing source materials appropriately, on how to approach these sources critically, and how research ideas might be disseminated effectively by means of oral and written assignments. The syllabus will explore key areas of performance research, including the study of recordings, critical editions; performers’ writings, and the historical significance of individual performers.

Assessment Strategy

• Threshold (C– to C+, 50-59%): Work which demonstrates an understanding of the module content and the ability to think in an informed and logical manner, and which is expressed coherently. • Good (B– to B+, 60-69%): Work which demonstrates mastery of the module content and the ability to think in a considered manner, and which is expressed with clarity and acuity. • Excellent (A– to A*, 70-100%): Work which demonstrates new insight into the module content and the ability to think in an original and conceptual manner, and which is expressed persuasively.

Relevant Masters-level Explicit Marking Criteria for Musicology and Music Performance will also be used when assessing student work on this module. These may be found on the Blackboard page for this module.

Learning Outcomes

• Engage with appropriate performance analysis methodologies.

• Express advanced ideas relating to musical performance and pedagogy through oral/text-based assessment.

• Identify, evaluate and reference performance-based source materials effectively.

• Situate their practice-based work within a wider academic context.