School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Music History: Historical Performance Practices
  • Unit Code

    MUS3512
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr Stewart James SMITH

Description

This unit explores historical-informed performance (HIP), from the Middle Ages up to the present day. It also reflects critically on the early music phenomenon in the twentieth century, both as an area of research and a commercial enterprise. Consideration will be given to the limitations of historical sources and indeed of authenticity as a philosophical construct. Through a series of lectures and workshops students will investigate significant historical sources, explore relevant HIP issues for their instrument, and develop historically informed performances. Issues explored include the use of historical instruments, editions, notations and their limitations, improvisation and ornamentation, rhythmic alterations and freedoms, tempi, dance characteristics, articulations and fingerings, vibrato, and other instrument specific concerns.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from MUS1516

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for each musical era.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for their instrument.
  3. Discuss the limitations of musical notation, authenticity, and applying historical sources.
  4. Execute stylistically-informed performances of a piece from a variety of different musical eras.
  5. Make modern edition of a piece of early music.

Unit Content

  1. Case studies in HIP in music from different eras (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century).
  2. Historical notations, editions and instruments.
  3. Important historical sources for each musical period and particular instruments.
  4. Improvisation and other performance freedoms.
  5. Other technical and musical considerations (articulation, phrasing, fingering, vibrato).
  6. Tempi, dances, style and character.
  7. The HIP as a modern/post-modern phenomenon.
  8. The limitations of authenticity.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshops, individual listening, reading, and score study.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationResearch project involving a seminar paper and musical performance50%
ExaminationExamination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MUS3512|2|1

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Music History: Historical Performance Practices
  • Unit Code

    MUS3512
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Stewart James SMITH

Description

This unit explores historical-informed performance (HIP), from the Middle Ages up to the present day. It also reflects critically on the early music phenomenon in the twentieth century, both as an area of research and a commercial enterprise. Consideration will be given to the limitations of historical sources and indeed of authenticity as a philosophical construct. Through a series of lectures and workshops students will investigate significant historical sources, explore relevant HIP issues for their instrument, and develop historically informed performances. Issues explored include the use of historical instruments, editions, notations and their limitations, improvisation and ornamentation, rhythmic alterations and freedoms, tempi, dance characteristics, articulations and fingerings, vibrato, and other instrument specific concerns.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from MUS1516

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for each musical era.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for their instrument.
  3. Discuss the limitations of musical notation, authenticity, and applying historical sources.
  4. Execute stylistically-informed performances of a piece from a variety of different musical eras.
  5. Make modern edition of a piece of early music.

Unit Content

  1. Case studies in HIP in music from different eras (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century).
  2. Historical notations, editions and instruments.
  3. Important historical sources for each musical period and particular instruments.
  4. Improvisation and other performance freedoms.
  5. Other technical and musical considerations (articulation, phrasing, fingering, vibrato).
  6. Tempi, dances, style and character.
  7. The HIP as a modern/post-modern phenomenon.
  8. The limitations of authenticity.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshops, individual listening, reading, and score study.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationResearch project involving a seminar paper and musical performance50%
ExaminationExamination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MUS3512|2|2