Module: Choral Studies/Conducting

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Choral Studies/Conducting
Module Code	MC318 (ITS) / MPA1052 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	John O'Flynn
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Choral portfolio and essay

Description

The purpose of this module is to engage students with choral studies, from Renaissance music through through to contemporary choral composition and arrangement. The module will have a dual scholarly and practical focus, combining technical and interpretative skills with stylistic knowledge and music editing techniques. Students will be introduced to the basics of choral conducting and will work closely with peers. The course also includes components of score and performance analysis, using written scores and audio-visual recordings.

Learning Outcomes

1. be acquainted with conducting patterns and techniques for standard time signatures in duple and compound time, and with techniques for beginning and ending pieces
2. have developed interpretive skills and dispostions for the performance of choral music
3. have developed capacity to edit and arrange choral parts
4. be enabled to analyse choral works, through score and audio-visual modes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Conducting workshops and choral studies lectures
Assignment Completion	45	Conducting practice, inc. assessment preparation
Portfolio Preparation	46	Choral analysis, arranging and editing coursework
Independent Study	12	Independent reading
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Conducting techniques
• Basic conducting patterns • Interpretation • Motivating and training choirs • Choral (vocal) techniques

Editing and arranging
• Editing two and three part pieces using Sibelius software or equivalaent • Arranging folk song for youth choir

Analysis
• Stylistic knowledge of broad choral genres from the Renaissance to contemproary music • Analysis of short choral pieces according to phrasing, tonality, polyphony • Comparative analysis of audio-visual recordings in relation to conducting techniques and stylistic interpretation

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Professional Portfolio	Conducting performance 40% Choral portfolio 60%	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

De Quadros, Andr: 2012, The Cambridge companion to choral music, Cambridge University Press,
Durrant, Colin: 2003, Choral conducting: philosophy and practice, Routledge,
Emmons, Shirlee; Chase, Constance: 2006, Prescriptions for choral excellence: tone, text, dynamic leadership, Oxford University Press,
Lamble, Walter: 2004, A handbook for beginning choral educators, Indiana University Press,
Rao, Doreen: 1994, We will sing: choral music experience for classroom choirs, Boosey & Hawkes,

Other Resources

None