Learn to improve your ensemble skills, develop essential teamwork and communication skills, as well as experience the joy of creating music in a collaborative, group focused setting.
You may choose one of the following pathways:
Jazz Ensemble: Explore the vibrant world of jazz with a diverse group of musicians and singers.
Vocal Ensemble: Develop your vocal skills, vocal versatility, explore various styles and repertoire whilst enhancing your harmony skills.
Chamber Music: Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of classical chamber music, playing alongside fellow instrumentalists.
Important: please contact the School office as soon as possible to let us know which ensemble you would like to join and which instrument you play. Auditions are required if you have not studied Music Performance at Otago University before. See link under ‘Eligibility’ for more information about the audition process.
About this paper
| Paper title | Music Ensemble 1 |
|---|---|
| Subject | Music |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| 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. |
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- (i) Evidence of ability as a performer is required. Entry is by audition (see MusB degree regulations). (ii) May not be taken at the same time as MUSI 140 (except in the traditional or world music performance options); (iii) May not be taken if MUSI 140 has already been taken in Jazz Ensemble or Cello Ensemble; (iv) Subject to staff availability and adequate number of enrolments. See website for list of ensembles (the Ensemble options on offer in 2025 are: Chamber Music; Vocal Ensemble; and Jazz Ensemble).
- Eligibility
Entry is by audition unless a current performance music student.
May not be taken at the same time as two other concurrent music performance papers. MUSI 144 cannot be taken at the same time as MUSI 140.
Ensembles are subject to staff availability and adequate number of enrolments.
See this link for more information about the Audition process. Even if you are not auditioning, it is important that you contact the School office when you enrol to let them know which ensemble and instrument you have chosen.
- Contact
Contact the School Office at spa@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
Visit the School of Performing Arts website for more information, or contact the office at spa@otago.ac.nz. Information on auditions can be found here.
- Teaching staff
Paper Coordinator: Arlie McCormick
Chamber Music Ensemble Teaching Staff
Coordinator: Dr Heleen du Plessis
Vocal Ensemble Teaching Staff
Coordinator: Dr Tessa Romano
Jazz Ensemble Teaching Staff
Coordinator: David Harrison
- Teaching Arrangements
Directed Group Class: 13 1 x hour per week for 13 weeks
Multi-Level Workshop: 13 1 x hour per week for 13 weeks
Seminar 2 x 1 hour for two weeks
Practice/Rehearsal: 152, combination of written work and practice
(8 hours + 4 hours = 12 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 180 TOTAL
You are responsible for dividing up your practice time over the weeks. On average you can expect to spend 5 hours per week working on this paper.
- Textbooks
No textbooks are required.
- Course outline
Contact the School of Performing Arts office for a copy of the most recent course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Demonstrates appropriate command of fundamental techniques specific to the instrument/voice within the ensemble context, effectively coordinating with other musicians to achieve cohesive performance.
Begins to convey good expressive intent through dynamics and articulation, collaborating with other musicians to convey appropriate emotional depth and interpretation within the ensemble performance.
Follows musical cues well and maintains the desired tempo, contributing to the ensemble's rhythmic precision and overall sense of ensemble cohesion.
Identifies basic features and characteristics of assigned repertoire within the ensemble context, facilitating effective communication and interpretation among ensemble members.
Demonstrates appropriate understanding of musical structures within repertoire pieces, collaborating well with other musicians to execute nuanced phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation in alignment with the ensemble's collective vision and the specific genre.
- Assessment details
Please note that this ensemble paper is individualized, and assessment specifics vary based on genre and style.
Reflective Essay (specific to your ensemble): 2000 words, 20%
Reflective Journal (specific to your ensemble): 1500 words, 10%
Performance: End of semester internal performance assessment, length dependent on ensemble, 70%
Timetable
Learn to improve your ensemble skills, develop essential teamwork and communication skills, as well as experience the joy of creating music in a collaborative, group-focused setting.
You may choose one of the following pathways:
Jazz Ensemble: Explore the vibrant world of jazz with a diverse group of musicians and singers.
Vocal Ensemble: Develop your vocal skills, vocal versatility, explore various styles and repertoire whilst enhancing your harmony skills.
Chamber Music: Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of classical chamber music, playing alongside fellow instrumentalists.
Important: please contact the School office as soon as possible to let us know which ensemble you would like to join and which instrument you play. Auditions are required if you have not studied Music Performance at Otago University before. See link under "Eligibility" for more information about the audition process.
About this paper
| Paper title | Chamber Music Ensemble 1 |
|---|---|
| Subject | Music |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(On campus)
Semester 2 (On campus) Full Year (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. |
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- (i) Evidence of ability as a performer is required. Entry is by audition (see MusB degree regulations). (ii) May not be taken if MUSI 140 has already been taken in Cello Ensemble; (iii) Subject to staff availability and adequate number of enrolments (minimum of 2 students required). The Ensemble options on offer are: Classical Choir, Chamber ensemble/s, brass ensemble, and others by arrangement. (iv) No more than 54 points from 140, 143, 144, 147, or 148.
- Eligibility
Entry is by audition unless a current performance music student.
May not be taken at the same time as two other concurrent music performance papers. MUSI 144 cannot be taken at the same time as MUSI 140.
Ensembles are subject to staff availability and an adequate number of enrolments.
See this link for more information about the Audition process. Even if you are not auditioning, it is important that you contact the School office when you enrol to let them know which ensemble and instrument you have chosen.
- Contact
Contact the School Office at spa@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
Visit the School of Performing Arts website for more information, or contact the office at spa@otago.ac.nz. Information on auditions can be found here.
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Arlie McCormick
Chamber Music Ensemble Teaching Staff:
Vocal Ensemble Teaching Staff:
- Co-ordinator: Dr Tessa Romano
- Arlie McCormick
- Bridget Telfer-Milne
Jazz Ensemble Teaching Staff:
- Co-ordinator: David Harrison
- Arlie McCormick
- Teaching Arrangements
Direct group class: 1-hour per week for 12 weeks.
Multi-level workshop: 1-hour per week for 12 weeks.
Practice/Rehearsal: 1-hour per week for 12 weeks.
You are responsible for dividing up your practice time over the weeks.
- Textbooks
No textbooks are required.
- Course outline
Contact the School of Performing Arts office for a copy of the most recent course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Demonstrates appropriate command of fundamental techniques specific to the instrument/voice within the ensemble context, effectively coordinating with other musicians to achieve cohesive performance.
Begins to convey good expressive intent through dynamics and articulation, collaborating with other musicians to convey appropriate emotional depth and interpretation within the ensemble performance.
Follows musical cues well and maintains the desired tempo, contributing to the ensemble's rhythmic precision and overall sense of ensemble cohesion.
Identifies basic features and characteristics of assigned repertoire within the ensemble context, facilitating effective communication and interpretation among ensemble members.
Demonstrates appropriate understanding of musical structures within repertoire pieces, collaborating well with other musicians to execute nuanced phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation in alignment with the ensemble's collective vision and the specific genre.
- Assessment details
Please note that this ensemble paper is individualised and assessment specifics vary based on genre and style.
Reflective Essay (specific to your ensemble): 2,000 words = 20%
Reflective Journal (specific to your ensemble): 1,500 words = 10%
Performance: End of semester internal performance assessment, length dependent on ensemble = 70%