- Year of study: Year 2, over two semesters
- Final assessment: Assessment by course tutor/practical exam
- Prerequisites: Admission to Bachelor of Music Performance - Classical
- Language of instruction: Norwegian/English
Course description
This course is intended for all pianists enrolled in the candidate study in performance. The course focuses on developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to the field of accompaniment.
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student is expected to
- have skills in accompanying and making music with singers and instrumentalists and demonstrate insight into repertoire from various eras and language areas.
- be aware of the pianist's role in different ensemble situations.
- show insight into various aspects of musical collaboration.
- demonstrate skills in sight-reading and rehearsal, and be able to apply reduction of scores to functional piano arrangements.
Overview
The course will cover the following topics
- Accompanying singers and instrumentalists, both individually and in ensembles.
- Practice in sight-reading and methods for effective rehearsal of new material.
- Analysis of vocal music.
- Study of the playing styles of various accompanists.
- Study of transcribed accompaniment arrangements with a focus on simplification and adaptation for piano.
- Study of the role of accompaniment arrangements in various musical forms.
- Historical studies of the piano's role as an accompaniment instrument.
The student will mostly play accompaniment with singers, but it will also be relevant to chamber music and work with other instrumentalists.
Structure
Instruction generally takes place in groups. In some cases, individual instruction may be provided. In collaboration with relevant instructors, a plan is developed for the repertoire each student will work on with fellow students. Student groups work partly independently and partly under guidance from an accompaniment instructor.
Students are automatically enrolled in instruction/guidance and assessment in the course, according to the progression set in the education plan.
Course requirements
1. By the end of the academic year, students must present a repertoire list of at least 40 minutes, which must be approved by the instructor. The repertoire covered should include works from the most central eras and will be in addition to chamber music repertoire.
2. During the academic year, students must participate as an accompanist/player in one internal concert at NMH.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.
Assessment is based on learning objectives. The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the course instructor based on one of the two options below.
Alternative 1 (standard procedure)
Students choosing Alternative 1 must attend at least 80% of the course instruction. The final assessment is based on an individual evaluation of the student's academic level through their work in the course.
Alternative 2
The final assessment is based on a 30-minute practical exam with at least two internal examiners, where the student will be tested on various accompaniment tasks, e.g., a selection of pieces from the repertoire list and sight-reading.
Students must notify exam@nmh.no by February 1 in the second semester of the course if they wish to choose Alternative 2.
New assessment
If the assessment is not passed, the student must take a practical exam, as described under Alternative 2 above.