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MUS20360

Academic Year 2025/2026

UCD Choral Scholars Autumn 2025-26 (MUS20360)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Desmond Earley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

*Note that entry to this module is by AUDITION, and will be permitted only if you have been awarded a choral scholarship by University College Dublin.

Collaborative ensemble singing requires the study of style and an understanding of performance-practice problems. In this module students explore issues of performance through a study of works by three living composers on the texts of James Joyce: Paul Frost (IRL), Oliver Davis (UK), and Kim Porter (UK). In exploring this repertoire students will mutually engage with peers to express and develop skills and a collective
artistry. Score study and selected performance-practice scholarship will form the backbone of discussions about how contemporary choral music might be approached in performance or studio. Accepted performance practices are showcased and approached by the entire group and demonstrated either through a work-in-progress performance, video or recording of selected repertory.

Technology will be used to assist the preparations of repertoire. Students will work in group rehearsal in Memorial Hall, Richview, using a combination of technologies and approaches (sectionals and tutti ensemble), audio tracks, video recordings, use of conductor-marked scores and a Choral-Trainer digital application. When working together in rehearsal students will be given constant feedback as music is made, understood and shaped.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Participation in this module will enable students to:
Encourage new and innovative approaches to personal musical practice, with the aid of technology;
Approach the development of repertoire within a group over a limited time frame;
Develop musical communication skills;
Consider aspects of group dynamics and collaboration in rehearsal;
Explore specific samples of choral repertoire reflective of a specific style and genre (customised contemporary repertory);
Perform or record a "work-in-progress" concert programme (or recording) of assigned repertory during the semester.

Indicative Module Content:

Choral ensemble performance practice issues in contemporary settings of the poetry of James Joyce by Paul Frost (IRL), Oliver Davis (UK), and Kim Porter (UK).

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Ensemble rehearsals
Small-group rehearsal (sections)
Small-group rehearsal (one-voice-per-part)
Self learning that includes the use of technology and recordings
Discussion of performance musicology
Critical analysis of professional recordings

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module is an element of the overall experience offered to students in receipt of a choral scholarship at UCD. Beyond the parameters of this module members of Choral Scholars engage in between 7-10 group-rehearsal hours per week (120-140 hours per semester), and as much again in private learning, improving upon a range of music-performance skills already in the possession of the student, and, exploring, recording and performing an extensive range of repertoire.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
MUS20240 - UCD Philharmonic Choir 3, MUS20250 - UCD Philharmonic Choir 4, MUS20320 - Philharmonic Choir Autumn 24, MUS20330 - Philharmonic Choir Spring 25

Additional Information:
*Note that entry to this module is by AUDITION, and will be permitted only if you have been awarded a choral scholarship by University College Dublin.


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Contribution to rehearsals in preparation for concert, video shoot or recording. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
50
 No
Group Work Assignment: Concert, video shoot or recording. Week 12 Graded No
20
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Small group assessment within regular rehearsal schedule. Week 10 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The nature of collaborative performance rehearsal is such that feedback is consistently given in rehearsal. The Studio Examination piece will be presented once in Week 5 or 6 with no weighting (to enable formative assessment) and again in Week 9, 10 or 11 with a weighting of 20% (to allow for a summative approach).

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 6, 11 Fri 18:00 - 20:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 18:00 - 20:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 6, 10 Sat 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 18:00 - 20:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 Tues 18:00 - 20:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 6, 11 Wed 18:00 - 20:50
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