- Year of study: Second year of study, one semester (autumn).
- Final assessment: Assessment from the course instructor.
- Prerequisites: Admission to Master in music performance.
- Language of instruction: Norwegian/English.
Course description
This course is for students in the Master’s Degree Programme in Music Performance in the following concentrations:
- Classical, Solo Instrument/Chamber Music.
- Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Classical Pianists
This course is organised over one semester and facilitates the student’s development as a performer and acquisition of a comprehensive repertoire, thus enabling the student to work as a professional music practitioner at a high level. Key aspects of the course include the development of the student’s abilities of artistic self-expression as well as refinement of their musical presentation, communication, and technical skills.
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, it is expected that the students will
- have acquired a comprehensive, balanced repertoire
- show the ability to convey artistic expression and demonstrate advanced technical skills on their principal instrument
- excel at conveying various forms of expression and be perceived as a knowledgeable musician
- be able to work in an independent, purposeful and thoughtful manner with artistic challenges
- be able to implement artistic projects alone and with others
- show insight into and critically assess ethical norms and issues of a musical and professional nature
The students will be assessed based on the same learning objectives in the different variants of Artistic Specialisation. On completion of the course Artistic Specialisation in the second year of the programme, the students will be assessed according to the learning objectives of the course.
Overview
The course covers the rehearsal and performance of a comprehensive, balanced repertoire. The individual student’s/group’s area of interest and personal musical preferences will be emphasised and challenged. The course will focus on the development of the students’ artistic and technical skills in their principal instrument and their ability to convey musical expression. The repertoire is planned in collaboration with the principal instrument teacher(s) and accompanist/fellow musicians and normally must consist of music from various eras and genres and cover solo and ensemble music. Normally, the repertoire for this course may not comprise any part of the courses Master’s Project I or II.
Most of the course is comprised of the student’s work with
- Rehearsing and interpreting repertoire that normally is new for the student (duration: 65 minutes).
- Developing, preparing and implementing public performances (duration: 45 minutes).
- Relevant literature (including material from artistic development work and research).
- Class instruction and interpretation classes.
- Interpretation seminars.
For students with a concentration in Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Classical Pianists, the following applies:
- Rehearsing and interpreting repertoire that normally is new for the student (duration: 50 minutes of accompaniment/chamber music repertoire and 15 minutes of solo repertoire).
- Developing, preparing and implementing public performances (duration: 50 minutes).
- Rehearsing and playing prima vista.
- Relevant literature (including material from artistic development work and research).
- Class instruction and interpretation classes.
- Interpretation seminars.
Structure
The course is organised as an individual, weekly instruction on the student’s principal instrument, as well as accompaniment where this applies. Students are also expected to participate in classes and interpretation seminars arranged by various instrument groups or departments. Interpretation seminars for all Master of Performance students will be arranged as well. Instruction is provided by several teachers.
Students have registered automatically for instruction/supervision and assessment in the course in accordance with the study progress requirements set out in the individual education plan.
Course requirements
1. Public performance
Students will perform a repertoire with a playing time of at least 45 minutes (50 minutes for students at the concentration: Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Classical Pianists). If so desired, the repertoire may be divided into several performances. Minimum half of the repertoire must be performed in venues outside the Academy.
Performances must be documented (audio or video) if the principal instrument teacher is not able to attend the performance. Students choose the form and format of the documentation. The student is also responsible for organising the practical aspects of the performance(s) as well as for the recording, promotion costs (posters, programmes, etc.), production and other costs.
2. Repertoire report
Students will submit a repertoire report over at least 180 minutes of learned repertoire. The report must list public performances of no less than 120 minutes. The report must be signed by the student and principal instrument teacher.
Deadline: Performances must be finished, and the report submitted to the Exams Office, no later than 1 December in the third semester of studies.
3. Interpretation seminar
Students must participate in minimum 1 interpretation seminar during the programme.
4. Mandatory participation in orchestra/chamber choir project
Students whose principal instrument is an orchestral instrument are required to participate in one orchestral project each academic year, if necessary.
Students whose principal instrument is classical voice are required to participate in two chamber choir projects in the first academic year and one chamber choir project in the second academic year.
For students with the concentration Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Classical Pianists, the fourth bullet point is replaced by the following:
4. Concerts
The students must attend at least five of the concerts arranged by the Norwegian Academy of Music in addition to the concerts which are part of the courses in Artistic Specialisation – Principal Instrument within the scope of the programme, and the overview of all the concerts must be part of the repertoire report submitted in the second year (in the third semester).
Final assessment
All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.
The student will be assessed on the basis of the learning objectives for the course as described in this course description in the paragraph for Learning objectives. The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the course instructor based on each student’s level of achievement throughout the course period.
New assessment
In the case of re-assessment, the same procedures apply.