Module: Choral Leadership

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Choral Leadership
Module Code	MC517 (ITS) / MPA1090 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	-
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

This module will build on stylistic, interpretative, and technical insights gained in MC514: Conducting, Interpretation and Style. Students will learn and reflect on effective means through which deep scholarly knowledge of musical style and interpretative conventions may be translated into proficiently and efficiently led artistic expression in rehearsal and performance. The module will examine strategies for vocal leadership and voice care, rehearsal technique, development of choral tone, ensemble balance and blend, and traditional and innovative approaches to concert programming. Students will acquire competence in identifying, and forming strategies for overcoming, vocal and musical challenges with respect to stylistically diverse repertoire.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate critical awareness of musical style and vocal technique pertaining to choral repertoire from a range of eras and genres.
2. Source, evaluate, and utilise scholarly literature, edited scores, and translations to support the formulation of stylistic interpretations of choral repertoire
3. Plan and lead effective choir rehearsals, demonstrating and communicating constructive musical guidance in the preparation of pieces.
4. Draw on deep knowledge of musical structure and harmonic language for the analysis and interpretation of choral works.
5. Translate analytical and interpretative preparation and stylistic knowledge of choral repertoire into rehearsal and performance, via conducting gesture and vocal leadership.
6. Perceive, analyse, and problem-solve in relation to tuning, balance, blend, tone, pronunciation, style, and expression, based on critical listening, engagement with scholarly literature, and knowledge of vocal technique.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Total Workload: 24

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

1
Conducting and leadership for a range of choral ensembles (adult and children)

2
Advanced engagement with musical style and repertoire through a. conducting b. rehearsal c. ensemble singing d. analysis e. critical reflection and group discussion

3
Strategies for effective rehearsals based on analytical and interpretative engagement with selected pieces from Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, twentieth-century, and contemporary repertoire

4
Strategies for the development of choral tone in the short and longer term through critical reflection and engagement with scholarly literature

5
Scrutinising and critiquing traditional and innovative approaches to concert programming and recording

6
Vocal leadership appropriate to the repertoire explored in the module

7
Audition techniques

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Rehearsal and performance of a prescribed choral piece (or section thereof), with prepared score and translation, and analytical commentary	50%	Sem 2 End
Research Paper	Written paper in choral leadership	50%	Once per semester

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

Alwes, Chester Lee: 2015, A History of Western Choral Music (2 vols.), Oxford University Press,
Bonshor, Michael: 2017, The Confident Choir: A Handbook for Leaders of Group Singing, Rowman and Littlefield,
De Quadros, André: 2012, The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music, Cambridge University Press,
Edwards, Gareth: 2015, Community As Leadership, Edward Elgar Publishing,
Emmons, Shirlee: 2006, Prescriptions for Choral Excellence: Tone, Text, Dynamic Leadership, Oxford University Press,
Garnett, Liz: 2009, Choral Conducting and the Construction of Meaning: Gesture, Voice, Identity, Ashgate,
Head, Paul, and Frank Abrahams (eds.): 2017, The Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy, Oxford University Press,
Johansson, Karin, and Ursula Geisler (eds.): 2014, Choral Singing: Histories and Practices, Cambridge Scholars,
Jordan, James, Kathy Kessler Price, and Seán McCarther: 2018, The Anatomy of Tone: Applying Voice Science to Choral Ensemble Pedagogy, GIA,
Klann, Gene: 2004, Building Your Team’s Morale, Pride, and Spirit, Center for Creative Leadership,
Madura, Patrice D.: 2010, Becoming a Choral Music Teacher: A Field Experience Workbook, Routledge,
McLyman, Linda A.: 2005, Wise Leadership, Michigan State University Press,
Morehen, John: 2003, English Choral Practice: 1400–1650, Cambridge University Press,
Olson, Margaret: 2010, The Solo Singer in the Choral Setting: A Handbook for Achieving Vocal Health, Scarecrow,
Potter, John: 2000, The Cambridge Companion to Singing, Cambridge University Press,
Rao, Doreen: 1994, We Will Sing: Choral Music Experience for Classroom Choirs, Boosey & Hawkes,
Rink, John, Helena Gaunt, and Aaron Williamon: 2017, Musicians in the Making: Pathways to Creative Performance, Oxford University Press,
Rutter, John (ed.): 1996, European Sacred Music, Oxford University Press,
Smith, Brenda, and Robert Thayer Sataloff: 2013, Choral Pedagogy, Plural,
Strimple, Nick: 2008, Choral Music in the Nineteenth Century, Hal Leonard,
Strimple, Nick: 2002, Choral Music in the Twentieth Century, Hal Leonard,
Summer, Robert J.: 2013, Renaissance Music for the Choral Conductor: A Practical Guide, Scarecrow,
Williamon, Aaron (ed.): 2004, Musical Excellence: Strategies and Techniques to Enhance Performance, Oxford University Press,

Other Resources

None