Master's degree in Rhythmic Choir Direction - musikkons.dk · Master's degree in Rhythmic Choir...

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Master's degree in Rhythmic Choir Direction (M-RK)

General goals

Developing the student's artistic, singing, instrumental, theoretical and direction skills within the

Rhythmic Choir Direction main subject and providing advanced qualifications for employment as a

rhythmic choir director. In addition, the degree course aims to develop, consolidate and communicate

specialist knowledge in the field.

The programme gives graduates the right to use the title Master of Rhythmic Choir Direction.

Course structure

The main subject of M-RK is Rhythmic Choir Direction, and the programme is rated for one study year or

60 ECTS points. The programme is planned as part time tuition within a time frame of 2 to 3 years with

tuition distributed across a number of 3 to 4 day tuition blocks as well as distance learning via the internet

including guided training with the student's own choir.

Who can apply?

Music teachers and others with a music degree in choir direction at BMus level and at least 2 years of

professional experience within music education and choir direction. Furthermore, an admission test must

be passed (see p. 12).

Prerequisites for participation

The student is required to rehearse with his/her training choir on a weekly basis (with a supervisor

affiliated via the internet) between tuition blocks throughout the study course. In addition, the course

requires homework/preparation.

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M-RK structure

The programme consists of 3 modules (see p. 9):

Module 1: Student skills and pedagogical practice (1st + 2nd semester)

Scope: 20 ECTS

Module 2: Student skills, pedagogical practice and choir arrangement (3rd semester)

Scope: 21 ECTS

Module 3: Further development concluded with final project (4th semester)

Scope: 19 ECTS

M-RK ECTS points

Subject: 1st & 2nd sem 3rd sem 4th sem total

Choir Direction & Training 8 8 4 20

SSB 3 3

Voice Theory 1 1 2

Choir Arrangement 3 1 4

Ear Training 2 2

Piano 2 1 1 4

Singing 2 1 1 4

Pedagogics and Theory of

Science 7 2 9

Master's Project 2 10 12

TOTAL ECTS 20 21 19 60

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Subject content

Rhythmic Choir Direction Scope: 20 ECTS

Objective

The student has mastered tuition skills as well as musical and technical skills at an advanced level based

on traditional as well as contemporary forms of expression within rhythmic music.

Content

A stylistically diverse repertoire within rhythmic music with instruction of the following types of vocal

ensembles:

• A capella choir (at least 12 singers, SATB)

• Choir with accompaniment

• Vocal ensemble (4-8 singers)

The student also acquires knowledge and experience with the following:

• Improvisation and circle song

• SSB for choir (singing, playing, and dancing)

Training course

1. Part of the training is integrated into tuition, making use of the resident rhythmic M-RK choir

(SATB) consisting of M-RK students and assistants.

2. Between individual tuition blocks during the degree course, the student practices each week using

his/her own training choir under the guidance of a supervisor (via the internet). The supervisor's

task is to observe and evaluate the student relative to the current lesson, focusing on method

development and implementation of the support subjects. Organised jointly by the student, the

teacher, and the person responsible for the course.

Completion/examination

No later than 2 weeks prior to the examination, the student hands in a written report on his/her own

training choir and the M-RK choir at the studies office to be used during evaluation.

The report must fulfil the following requirements:

• 5 copies must be handed in. In one of the copies, the actual names of the report author(s) must be

changed. (This copy must be marked "bibliotek" (library) on the title page).

• The report should contain at least 21,600 characters including spaces (equivalent to 9 normal pages).

The number of characters must be stated on the title page.

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• The report must contain at least the following mandatory sections:

- Introduction/preamble

- Description of the student's own practice

- Objectives

- Ideas, means and methods and descriptions of the course

- Lesson description

- An evaluation of the course

- An evaluation of learnings for the student

- Perspectives

- Annexes

The student demonstrates his/her tuition skills with the following assignments using the M-RK choir:

• Performance of one concert ready assignment

• Detail work on material that has already been learned

• Learning of set assignment (set by the teacher one week prior to the examination)

During the subsequent interview, the examiners may ask questions regarding tuition methods and voice

theory.

Duration of tuition demonstration: 45 minutes.

Interview: 10 minutes.

Discussion: 20 minutes.

Total examination duration: 75 minutes.

External marking. Grade.

Final project Scope: 12 ECTS

Objective

Giving the student an opportunity for independently defining and executing a coherent project related to

the chosen special studies subject, carrying out the project through all phases from idea to realisation and

reflecting on his/her practice and choice of methods.

Content

The final project is based on rhythmic choir direction. The student chooses and defines his/her own

project. The project must include an artistic dimension, a communicative dimension and a written

reflection.

Tuition and work formats

By the set deadline, the student submits the following to the studies office for approval by the head of

studies/person responsible for the course: a description of the proposed final project including the project

title, work form, the desired supervisor and the presentation form.

By the set deadline, the student in cooperation with the supervisor develops the final project and

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examination descriptions which are submitted for final approval.


No later than two weeks prior to the examination, the student hands in the project, the scope of which

must be at least 24,000 characters (10 normal pages) and no more than 60,000 characters (25 normal

pages excluding annexes).

The examination consists of a lecture/concert covering and elaborating on the issues and information

provided in the written part using words and music. In addition, there is a short interview where the

examiners may ask questions.

Oral examination: 25 minutes.

Interview with the board of examiners: 5 minutes.

Discussion and preparation of written statement: 20 minutes.


The head of examiners prepares the written statement prior to the examination. The assessment must reflect

to what extent the objectives have been achieved.

External marking. Grade and a statement.

SSB (singing, playing and dancing) Scope: 3 ECTS

Objective

Developing a bodily understanding of the connection between music and movement, and making the

student aware of the didactics and method of the subject.

Content

Musical forms of socialising and corresponding bodily expressions based on dancing/movement,

coordination, singing, drums, and percussion.


The students perform a 10 minute SSB show as part of completing module 1 (see the description of

module 1). The students themselves create a programme comprising singing, playing and dancing. The

students rotate between the different disciplines. Improvisation is included in at least one element.

Ear Training/Theory of Improvisation Scope: 2 ECTS

Objective

The student develops his/her hearing and reading skills further with a view to supporting his/her artistic

and pedagogical work as a choir director.

Content

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Practical, theoretical and pedagogical knowledge of various forms of ear training and theories of

improvisation.


Certificate.

Voice Theory Scope: 2 ECTS

Objective

The student acquires in-depth knowledge of voice anatomy and physiology as a background for voice

analysis.

Content

Acoustics, phonetics, voice deficiencies and disorders, caring for the voice, speaking exercises and warm-

up exercises. Also, creating awareness of register functions, lyrics pronunciation, phrasing, sound

variations, dynamics, vibrato etc.


Solitary written test with access to a CD player.

Written examination: 2 hours.

Grading and discussion: 45 minutes per student.

Internal marking. Grade.

Choir Arrangement Scope: 4 ECTS

Objective

The student is able to create choir arrangements for use with his/her own vocal ensembles based on an

artistic, a pedagogical and a technical approach.

Content

Tuition covers the various traditions and forms of expression within rhythmic vocal music through

studies of a diverse rhythmic repertoire.


No later than 2 weeks prior to the 3rd semester examination, 3 copies of 3 arrangements are handed in

(sound files of the arrangements must be included) of which at least two must be performed at a concert

featuring the student's own training choir (video documentation).

Grading: 30 minutes per student

Discussion and oral account via the internet: 30 minutes per student

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Piano Scope: 4 ECTS

Objective

The student is able to use the piano as an aid when learning new material and as an accompanying

instrument.

Content

Various piano roles within a stylistically and generically diverse area including score playing,

improvisation/groove and accompaniment to own singing.


Certificate.

Singing Scope: 4 ECTS

Objective

Further development of voice functions for speaking and singing with an awareness of artistic expression

as well as the singing voice as a many-facetted role model for call/response.

Content

Learning a wide repertoire, microphone technique and pedagogical methods for use in voice work during

choir direction.


Certificate. Approved/not approved.

Pedagogics and Theory of Science Scope: 9 ECTS

Objective

The student has acquired specialist and internationally recognised knowledge of relevant pedagogical,

didactic and psychological theories, concepts and methods. In addition, the student is able to

independently argue and assume responsibility for his/her own learning needs, specialisation options and

potential for creative development and prioritise and structure his/her time and work efforts.

Content

Creating awareness of didactics and method including themes such as communication, the teacher role,

group tuition, learning styles and supervision. Tuition takes the form of presentations, group work and

analyses of e.g. video recordings of the student's own tuition.

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Module content


Subjects

• Choir Direction and Methods

• SSB

• Ear Training/Theory of Improvisation

• Piano

• Singing

• Choir Arrangement

• Individual guidance in relation to the student's training choir

Objective

Competence development: Developing student skills in relation to rhythmic choir direction and letting the

student experience his/her own role as a chorister.

Developing advanced skills within the support subjects with particular emphasis on SSB, Ear

Training/Theory of Improvisation, Piano and Singing.


The module is concluded with a café concert with the following content after the second semester:

1. The students give a joint concert performance with the M-RK choir at which each student has

prepared, and directs, one song (max. 5 minutes) and directs choir improvisation (max. 5

minutes). Songs are selected in consultation with the teacher.

2. The students perform a 10 minute SSB programme in relation to the concert. The students

themselves create a programme comprising singing, playing and dancing. The students rotate

between the different disciplines. Improvisation is included in at least one element.

Examination concert: 10 minutes per student.

SSB programme: 10 minutes for the whole class.

Discussion: 10 minutes per student.

Total examination duration: 10 minutes (SSB) + 20 minutes per student.

Internal marking. Pass/fail.

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Subjects


• Voice Theory


• Piano

• Singing

• Pedagogics and Theory of Science


• Guidance for final project

Objective

Competence development and creativity: Further development of student skills in relation to rhythmic

choir direction and creating 3 choir arrangements for the student's own training choir. Attaining

elementary knowledge of voice theory. Further work on the Piano and Singing support subjects in relation

to the creative and pedagogical process.


See Choir Arrangement (p. 6).


Subjects


• Voice Theory

• Piano

• Singing




Objective

Competence development and creativity: Further development of student skills in relation to

rhythmic choir direction and personal communication style in music tuition. Being able to

document elementary knowledge of voice theory. Using the skills attained in the Piano and

Singing support subjects in relation to the creative and pedagogical process.


See Rhythmic Choir Direction (p. 3) and Final Project (p. 4).

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Admission test for the Master of Rhythmic Choir Direction course

Applicants must pass an admission test unless they have attained the grade 10 (or equivalent) or higher at

the main subject examination in rhythmic choir direction at BMus level at a Danish or foreign music

academy, university or similar. In each case, the Academy decides whether additional tests are necessary.

The admission test is structured in such a way that it provides the broadest possible picture of the

applicant's musical background and teaching skills.

Rhythmic choir direction main subject examination

The applicant demonstrates his/her teaching skills based on two assignments with a vocal ensemble

provided by the Academy and consisting of 12 Academy students (7 women and 5 men, may be

distributed freely). The applicant selects a relevant assignment him-/herself, and an additional

assignment is set (with one week's notice).

No later than one week prior to the admission test, the applicant must submit his/her considerations

regarding the planning and content of the admission test as well as his/her motivation for applying for the

course.

A copy of the teaching material must be appended as an annex.

Test duration: 45 minutes.



Account: 5 minutes.

The studies office allocates 80 minutes for the test for each student.

External marking. Pass/fail.

Minor subject examinations (possibly automatic credit)

SSB (singing, playing and dancing):

The applicant participates in the SSB subject as a pupil during a teaching situation. Emphasis is

placed on the applicant's ability to imitate movement patterns, sung phrases and rhythmic

figures demonstrated. This part of the test is carried out in classes. Duration: approx. 45 minutes.

The studies office allocates 45 minutes for the test (for the entire class)

Discussion: 10 minutes (per applicant).


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Singing and Piano:

1. Singing to the student's own piano accompaniment. During the evaluation, emphasis is placed on

the applicant's ability to express the textual content. A microphone must be used.

2. Piano

a. A rhythmic piano piece chosen by the student (without singing)

b. Secunda vista accompaniment for a melody with figuration

c. Secunda vista score playing for a relatively simple rhythmic choir movement

15 minutes of preparation time are allowed for the secunda vista assignments.


Internal marking. One overall grade.

Ear Training and Theory

• Written hearing test comprising the following:

o Intervals (notes played separately and simultaneously, including more than one octave

apart).

o Triads.

o Hearing chords.

o Notation of a rhythmic progression.

o Identification of scales played.

o Notation of a melody progression with accompanying harmonies.


• Oral examination

With preparation time (30 minutes):

o Performance of one-part rhythmic sequence from score.

o Performance of two-part rhythmic sequence from score.

o Vocal improvisation over chord progression.

Without preparation time:

o Vocal reproduction of melodic phrases played.

o Reproduction of rhythmic phrases played.

o Sight singing.



The studies office allocates 60 minutes for the written test (entire class) and 30 minutes for the oral part (per

student).


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General goals






Course structure





Who can apply?








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M-RK structure



Scope: 20 ECTS


Scope: 21 ECTS


Scope: 19 ECTS

M-RK ECTS points



SSB 3 3

Voice Theory 1 1 2


Ear Training 2 2

Piano 2 1 1 4

Singing 2 1 1 4


Science 7 2 9



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Subject content


Objective



Content


ensembles:







Training course
















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- Objectives





- Perspectives

- Annexes






theory.







Objective




Content



reflection.






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Objective



Content








Objective



Content

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improvisation.


Certificate.


Objective


analysis.

Content










Objective



Content









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Piano Scope: 4 ECTS

Objective


instrument.

Content




Certificate.


Objective



Content


choir direction.




Objective





Content




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Module content


Subjects


• SSB


• Piano

• Singing



Objective


















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Subjects


• Voice Theory


• Piano

• Singing




Objective








Subjects


• Voice Theory

• Piano

• Singing




Objective







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course.





Account: 5 minutes.











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Singing and Piano:



2. Piano










apart).

o Triads.

o Hearing chords.













o Sight singing.




student).
