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Overview

Explores the theory and practice of teaching music performance successfully.

Whether an art or science, learning and teaching are inseparable. While learning to teach music performance you will gain understanding of how you learn to perform. By understanding the theoretical underpinnings of learning and teaching music performance, with specific emphasis on the practical application in a studio setting, you will gain knowledge of why we teach, how we teach, where and whom we teach. Topics include the learning environment; teacher-learner rapport; aspects related to music performance such as: physical, technical, musical, mental, psychological, performance and interpretative aspects; physical and auditory awareness and how to teach/learn it; theories of learning; teaching methods; pedagogy of practising; and teaching materials related to own instrument/voice. It aims at integrating aspects of music performance teaching with the wider aims of human development, as well as vocational education of teaching specific skills. The content and evaluations are designed to aid each individual student in their prospective teaching.

The most empowering skill is the ability to learn - if you learn how to learn you can know whatever you want, including how to teach and how to perform.

About this paper

Paper title Music Performance Pedagogy
Subject Music
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,318.20
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
18 200-level MUSI points
Restriction
MUSI 475
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Notes
Students who have not passed the normal prerequisite may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
Contact

heleen.duplessis@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Paper Co-ordinator and teacher: Dr Heleen du Plessis

Teaching Arrangements

Three 50-minute lectures each week, apart from 2-week practical observations of studio teaching lessons and 1-week oral presentations.

Textbooks
The paper will be supported through Blackboard. Reading materials will be posted there, handed out in class where appropriate, or otherwise available in the Central Library.
Course outline

Contact the School of Performing Arts for a copy of the most recent course outline.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will have:

  • Gained knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories of learning and teaching as applied to music performance and related to studio music teaching
  • Gained knowledge and understanding of the social and educational context of music performance teaching
  • Developed critical thinking about music pedagogical theory by integrating it with own experience and conclusions from observations
  • Learn the practical implementation of learning and teaching theories and develop a personal philosophy or approach to music performance teaching
Assessment details

Assessment tasks include three to four assignments made up of two or three written assignments and one group assessment in the form of an oral presentation.

Overview

Explores the theory and practice of teaching music performance successfully.

Whether an art or science, learning and teaching are inseparable. While learning to teach music performance you will gain understanding of how you learn to perform. By understanding the theoretical underpinnings of learning and teaching music performance, with specific emphasis on the practical application in a studio setting, you will gain knowledge of why we teach, how we teach, where and whom we teach.

Topics include the learning environment; teacher-learner rapport; aspects related to music performance, such as, physical, technical, musical, mental, psychological, performance and interpretative aspects; physical and auditory awareness and how to teach/learn it; theories of learning; teaching methods; pedagogy of practising; and teaching materials related to own instrument/voice. It aims at integrating aspects of music performance teaching with the wider aims of human development, as well as vocational education of teaching specific skills. The content and evaluations are designed to aid each individual student in their prospective teaching.

The most empowering skill is the ability to learn: if you learn how to learn you can know whatever you want, including how to teach and how to perform.

About this paper

Paper title Music Performance Pedagogy
Subject Music
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2027 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
18 200-level MUSI points
Restriction
MUSI 475
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Notes
Students who have not passed the normal prerequisite may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
Contact

Associate Professor Heleen du Plessis

Teaching staff

Paper Co-ordinator and teacher: Associate Professor Heleen du Plessis

Teaching Arrangements

Three 50-minute lectures each week, apart from 2-week practical observations of studio teaching lessons and 1-week oral presentations.

Textbooks

The paper will be supported through Aoroa. Reading materials will be posted there, handed out in class where appropriate, or otherwise available in the Central Library.

Course outline

Contact the School of Performing Arts for a copy of the most recent course outline.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will have:

  • Gained knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories of learning and teaching as applied to music performance and related to studio music teaching.
  • Gained knowledge and understanding of the social and educational context of music performance teaching.
  • Developed critical thinking about music pedagogical theory by integrating it with own experience and conclusions from observations.
  • Learn the practical implementation of learning and teaching theories and develop a personal philosophy or approach to music performance teaching.
Assessment details

Assessment tasks include three to four assignments made up of two or three written assignments and one group assessment in the form of an oral presentation.

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