Module Details

Module Code: MUSC8100
Title: Choral Music-History & Context
Long Title: Choral Music - History and Con
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2018/19 ( September 2018 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2121 - Music & Performing Arts
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module explores the diversity of choral music traditions, ranging from the earliest documented traditions of folk polyphony to contemporary settings. It will examine social and philosophical contexts, performance conventions and style.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the significance of choral singing in community, dramatic, ritual, recreational and educational settings
LO2 Contextualise choral traditions in terms of social, cultural and political conditions and prevailing philosophical outlooks
LO3 Critically discuss stylistic, timbral, textural and structural features of a wide range of choral repertoire
LO4 Evaluate and utilize a range of high-quality sources for research in choral music
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Singing in human society
A sociological overview of ensemble singing
'A cappella' tradition
Music in Christian worship from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Choral music in non-Christian traditions
Opera Chorus
Athenian chorus; The chorus in dramatic music of the 17th to the 19th centuries: opera, oratorio, canatata
Madrigal, catch and glee
Madrigal and related traditions; Part-singing in glee clubs, madrigal societies in the 18th and 19th centuries
Indigenous and un-notated choral traditions
Improvisatory practices in ecclesiastical settings. Folk polyphony.
19th century choirs and choral societies
19th century oratorios, and choruses in large-scale orchestral works
Choral music in education
Schola cantorum tradition; Solfa; European pedagogues: Wilhem, Mainzer, Kodaly; American singing schools, Lowell Mason
Choral music in Irish churches
Catholic and Anglican traditions; the Cecilian movement; new developments in the 20th century
Choral music in Ireland - 20th century
New developments in 20th century: Irish language, religion, education, community as focal points for the development of choral music. The development of local musical infrastructures; Industrial and community choirs; Choral festivals
Choral music in the 20th and 21st centuries
Modernism, post-modernism, 'holy minimalism', influence of Eastern orthodox traditions
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 3
Assessment Description
A listening test based on a range of choral excerpts
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Short seminar presentations on topics related to lecture content.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 40
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
A detailed investigation of a specific choral tradition, including its social, stylistic and technical aspects. c.3,000 words.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact History, score analysis, aural analysis Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Research techniques, project development Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Burkholder, Grout and Palisca. (2010), A History of Western Music, 8th ed.. Norton.
  • Homer Ulrich. (1973), A Survey of Choral Music, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York.
  • Nick Strimple. (2002), Choral music in the twentieth century, Amadeus Press, Portland, Or., [ISBN: 1-57467-074-3].
  • Istvan Anhalt. (1984), Alternative Voices: Essays on Contemporary Vocal and Choral Composition, University of Toronto Press, Toronto.
  • J.Samson. (2001), The Cambridge History of Nineteenth Century Music, 8 Choral Music, p.213-236.
  • Krisztina Lajosi, Andrea Stynen. (2015), Choral Societies and Nationalism in Europe, Brill, Leiden, [ISBN: 9789004300842].
  • AndrĂ© de Quadros. (2012), The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music, Chapters 2,3,4,5, Cambridge University Press, [ISBN: 9780521111737].
  • Richard Taruskin. (2009), Music from the Earliest Notations to the Sixteenth Century, Oxford University Press.
  • Ursula Geisler, Karin Johansen. (2014), Choral Singing: Histories and Practices, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, [ISBN: 9781443863315].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Di Grazia. (2013), Nineteenth-Century Choral Music, Routledge.
  • Arthur Jacobs, ed.. (1963), Choral Music: a Symposium, Penguin.
  • Drummond, Pippa. (2011), The Provincial Music Festival in England, 1784-1914, Ashgate, Farnham.
  • Gerald Barry ed.. (2012), Choirland: An Anthology of Irish Choral Music, Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Peter Philips. (1978), Performance practice in 16th century English choral music, Early Music, 6.2., p.195-199.
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_GMUSC_8 Bachelor of Music (Honours) 8 Elective
CR_GMUSC_8 Bachelor of Music (Honours) 6 Elective