ED4411:03
School Choirs and Ensembles
Townsville
Prerequisites: ED2911
20 lectures, 20 hours workshops. First semester.
Available to level 4 undergraduate education students.
Staff: Dr F York.
The focus of this subject is primary and secondary school vocal and instrumental music ensembles, both auditioned and non-auditioned. The emphasis is one of practical skills required of the music teacher as musical director. Choice of appropriate repertoire for school groups of various ages and ability levels, adaptation of repertoire (arranging for children), audition procedures, study and preparation of scores, conducting techniques, and rehearsal management are among the topics related to school performing ensembles which are considered.Major areas of study include the child voice, the changing (adolescent) voice, key issues of pedagogy, sequences of teaching/learning music in rehearsal conditions, audition criteria, musicianship training in ensemble contexts, ensemble balance and musical interpretation, rehearsal evaluation, and related topics.
Learning Objectives:
- to provide the knowledge and skills to audition and cast choral and instrumental ensembles in a variety of school contexts;
- to provide the knowledge of available repertoire, skills in the selection of an appropriate repertoire and the ability to adapt it as necessary to the needs of auditioned and non-auditioned school groups;
- to provide the pedagogy to effectively rehearse sectionally and in full ensemble;
- to provide skills in rehearsal management;
- to provide skills in musical direction and conducting of school music ensembles;
- to provide the knowledge and skills to critique schools ensemble performances.
Assessment by tutorial presentation/seminar (30%); ensemble performance (40%); folio/work plan (viva voce may be requested) (30%).