The course is for students whose principal instrument is voice. The course gives the students an opportunity to perform chamber music.
The students should submit details of their preferred ensemble make-up, tutor and repertoire using an email link issued by the chamber music co-ordinator. The deadline for registering is 1 December for the spring semester and 1 June for the autumn semester. The students’ wishes will be considered and approved by the course co-ordinator. Anyone who has not submitted their preferences will be placed in a suitable ensemble. A list of the chamber music ensembles will be available at nmh.no before the semester starts. The chamber music ensembles normally operate for one academic year.
The course precedes Chamber music II.
Course co-ordinator: Are Sandbakken.
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student is expected to
- be able to perform music together with others
- be able to collaborate to resolve musical problems
- be able to plan and execute chamber music rehearsals resulting in a performance
Overview
The students’ proposed repertoire and ensemble make-up form the starting point for the course. Tutor preference will be granted whenever possible. The course involves learning and interpreting chamber music works and offers practical experience of rehearsing repertoire together with fellow students.
The repertoire should be of at least 40 minutes’ duration over two semesters. Dispensation from the repertoire requirement may be granted when rehearsing especially challenging works.
The students are free to decide whether to perform parts of their repertoire at a concert or at an end-of-semester exam in each semester.
Structure
The course is organised as chamber music rehearsals led by the ensemble members themselves as well as coaching by a chamber music tutor. The students should ideally form ensembles of three or more performers. Duos may be accepted if the repertoire places equal demands on both performers. Chamber music requires a great deal from the students in terms of planning, organisation, choice of repertoire and rehearsal.
For a summary of indicative workload and structure, please see the “Structure” section of the relevant programme of study.
The students are automatically registered for tuition/supervision and assessment in the subject in line with the progression set out in the individual education plan.
Course requirements
1. Semester schedule
Together with the chamber music coach the chamber ensemble should prepare a semester schedule for each semester, to include
- ensemble members
- repertoire of at least 20 minutes’ duration per semester
- rehearsal schedule
- schedule of planned sessions with chamber music coach
- whether the ensemble will perform their prepared repertoire in a concert or end-of-semester exam. The ensemble may change their decision up until 1 November / 1 April in the semester in question. Any changes must be reported to the chamber music co-ordinator
Deadline: The semester schedule must be submitted to the course co-ordinator by 15 September / 1 February.
2. Mandatory attendance
Attendance at the agreed rehearsals and coaching sessions as per the semester schedule is mandatory.
3. Performance of prepared repertoire
Every semester the chamber ensemble may choose one of two performance options for their prepared repertoire:
a) The ensemble performs parts of their repertoire at a concert. The ensemble is responsible for the practical aspects of organising the concert. The concert must be approved by the chamber music coach. If the coach is unable to attend the concert, it must be documented in the form of a video or audio recording.
b) The ensemble performs 10 minutes of their prepared repertoire in an end-of-semester exam. Two chamber music coaches will be present at the exam and will give the students verbal feedback on their performance.
Deadline: All course requirements must have been met by 15 December / 1 June.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be met before the student can be given a final assessment.
The assessment is based on the learning objectives for the course. The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis by one or more chamber music coaches in the form of an individual evaluation of the student’s level of attainment.
The final assessment is given at the end of the second semester. The students must have passed both semesters in order to pass the final assessment.
New assessment
In the event of a fail, the student must complete an additional chamber music project in the next semester.