Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CHMB1301: Chamber Music 1

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Sydney

Students engage in intensive chamber music rehearsals and work towards live performances of the highest standard, learning from their peers as well as expert practitioners. In the early part of semester students attend a lecture on the development of chamber music and skills in listening, collaborative rehearsal and musical presentation. Students are assigned a Principal Tutor who will recommend appropriate works and coach the ensemble. Both pre-formed groups and individuals may sign up.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Daniel Yeadon, daniel.yeadon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) David Thompson, d.thompson@sydney.edu.au
Kevin Hunt, kevin.hunt@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Barnes, andrew.barnes@sydney.edu.au
Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Daniel Herscovitch, daniel.herscovitch@sydney.edu.au
Ole Bohn, ole.bohn@sydney.edu.au
Kevin Man, kevin.man@sydney.edu.au
Daniel Yeadon, daniel.yeadon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Online assignment
Score reading and review of recordings
10% Week 06 500-1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Participation Performance workshop
Collaborative/practical modules
10% Week 10 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Final performance exam
Final performance exam
40% Week 13 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation group assignment Tutor assessment
Tutor assessment
40% Weekly Continuous assessment
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO1
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Online assignment: A report based on listening to recording(s) of chamber repertoire with score.
  • Tutor assessment: Groups are required to have 6 tutorials throughout the semester with their assigned tutor. Students will be given a mark and graded on their musical preparation, as well as their general organisation and attitude.
  • Chamber performance workshop: In Week 10. Groups perform 10 minutes of repertoire and give constructive feedback to their peers. 
  • Final performance exam: A group performance of a selection of music prepared during the semester. Tutors will help their groups to choose the exact repertoire. A panel of two or more staff members will assess each group’s performance, and the exams may be open to the public.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks 6 x 1 hour tutorials with assigned tutor Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Orientation meeting Online class (1 hr)  
Week 04 Chamber music skills lecture and Q and A session Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Collaborative performance workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Weekly Chamber music group rehearsal Rehearsal (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse, or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas for recommended readings.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate enhanced musical knowledge
  • LO2. play several chamber works in detail and demonstrate enhanced improvisation skills
  • LO3. demonstrate enhanced technical and musical skills in a practical situation
  • LO4. demonstrate improved listening skills
  • LO5. work as part of a cooperative team
  • LO6. demonstrate leadership and communication skills.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Timelines are back to normal - performance workshops in week 10 and exams in week 13.

All information relating to the chamber music course is contained in a document on the Canvas Chamber Music home page. It is essential that you read the document when you enrol in your next unit.

ORIENTATION MEETING via zoom on Monday 21 February at 10am. Compulsory for CHMB1301 (Chamber Music 1) students. All other students are welcome. Zoom link on Canvas Chamber Music home page.

SIGN-UP: Every student must sign up by week 1 by using the 'Sign-up Form' link on the Canvas Chamber Music home page. Signing up is a separate process from enrolling.

GROUP and TUTOR CONFIRMATION by week 3

LECTURE via zoom on Monday of week 4 at 9am: ‘Craft of Chamber Music’. Compulsory for CHMB1301

REHEARSALS and TUTORIALS take place between weeks 3 and 13

PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS in week 10

PERFORMANCE EXAMS in week 13

In 2022 pre-formed groups will be confirmed earlier – in week 1. Every effort is made to form new groups by the end of week 2 and to announce tutors by the end of week 3. As many students enrol and un-enrol in chamber music up until the end of week 2 it is impossible to finalise new groups before then. After the end of week 2 a period of consultation is required to find suitable tutors for all the groups.

Tutor issues:

If your tutor falls ill, or if you are having trouble meeting up with your tutor then please contact the general unit coordinator Daniel Yeadon as soon as possible – do not leave it until week 12! In this situation a new or additional tutor can be arranged for you.

Extra performance workshops:

If you would like to have the experience of performing in more than one chamber performance workshop, please inform Daniel Yeadon. Extra PWs can be arranged on demand.

PW and exam dates:

During this upcoming semester the detailed schedules will be released earlier to allow students to rearrange their external commitments if necessary. If you have an exact time request, please contact Daniel Yeadon.

Chamber buddy issues:

If you have problems with lazy or incommunicative chamber buddies please inform your divisional chamber coordinator or the general unit coordinator Daniel Yeadon. The same applies if you feel there is a mismatch in standards or commitment between members of a group – please make contact with Daniel Yeadon as soon as possible.

Group organisation:

The chamber music course relies on students to organise regular rehearsals and tutorials during most weeks in the semester. Please attend the Craft of Chamber Music Lecture for additional guidance, and volunteer to play in SCM lunchbreak concerts and external concerts if you are seeking additional structure.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific work health and safety requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.