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Unit information: Study Abroad in 2020/21

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Unit name Study Abroad
Unit code MUSI20114
Credit points 60
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Professor. Hornby
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

none

Co-requisites

none

School/department Department of Music
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

60 credit point unit to record student's time and mark studying abroad. Students will study for units totalling

a) 30 ECTs at the overseas institution in a single TB

OR

b) 25 ECTs at the overseas institution, plus a performance element during the TB they spend in Bristol.

The performance element (when selected) fosters the development of performance skills acquired at Level C. It is assessed through a solo recital.

Through a variety of teaching contexts, including individual instrumental or vocal lessons, performance seminars and workshops, and masterclasses, and attendance at departmentally-organised concerts, this performance element aims to deepen the student’s appreciation of technique and its musical application in solo performance. Repertoire will be broadened; stylistic awareness (including an awareness of historically-informed styles of performance) will be extended; programme planning and recital presentation will be refined. Occasional masterclasses and ensemble coaching sessions given by visiting professional performers will enhance the learning experience.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Specific learning outcomes will depend on the institution selected and the units studied. However, it is anticipated that students will also benefit from the following:


Experience of Music study at university level in a wider non-UK context; Experience of different teaching and study methods and styles and the chance to extend knowledge beyond the units that are delivered in Bristol; and The opportunity to broaden horizons and be immersed in a new and exciting environment.


Within the performance element (when selected): Successful completion of this element will enable the student to:


1. develop and display technical fluency and interpretative insight beyond the level attained in Level C Practical Studies
2. identify and develop strategies for improvement of technical weaknesses
3. extend knowledge of repertoire and associated technical/ musical requirements
4. perform effectively in a solo context
5. react to constructive criticism
6. address personal development self-critically

Teaching Information

Dependent on the host institution and the units selected.

For the performance element (when selected), teaching comprises: performance seminars and workshops (including occasional coaching sessions and masterclasses given by visiting professionals); weekly lunchtime concerts within the department; up to 8 hours of individual lessons within a single TB.

Assessment Information

For the performance element (when selected), assessment comprises a solo recital (c. 15 mins) examined at the end of the teaching block (100%), which will demonstrate ILOs 1-6. This will contribute the equivalent of 5 ECTs to the overall Study Abroad unit mark.

For the rest of the Study Abroad unit, assessment will depend on the host institution and the units of study selected. Students will be expected to select units of study at a level equivalent to University of Bristol Level I.

When performance is not selected, the mark for this unit will be derived solely from the translation of the marks achieved at the host University via algorithms agreed by the University of Bristol. When performance is selected, the mark for this unit will combine translations of the marks achieved at the host university (5/6 of the unit mark) with the recital mark (1/6 of the unit mark)

Reading and References

  • Brendel, A., Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts (London, 1980)
  • Dunsby, J., Performing Music: Shared Concerns (London, 1993)
  • Le Huray, P., Authenticity in Performance (Cambridge, 1990)
  • Rink, J. (ed.), The Practice of Performance: Studies in Musical Interpretation (Cambridge, 1995)
  • Stowell, R. (ed.), Performing Beethoven (Cambridge, 1994)
  • Rink, J. (ed.), Musical Performance: A Guide to Understanding (Cambridge, 2003)

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