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Norges musikkhøgskole Norwegian Academy of Music Search

Devel­op­ment­al Prac­ti­cing Work­shop

  • Course type: Elective course.
  • Course level: Bachelor/master.
  • Year of study: Two semesters, fall and spring.
  • Final assessment: Assessment from the course instructor.
  • Language of instruction: Norwegian or English.

Course description

In this course, students work together on developing modes of working with practising, through trying and reflecting together. Students choose and implement their own projects or focus areas that explore their own practising and the practising of others.

Course Instructors: Siw Graabræk Nielsen and Guro Gravem Johansen.

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, students are expected to

  • have acquired knowledge of techniques, strategies and practice methods from different genres
  • have acquired knowledge of challenges in practising for various instrument groups
  • have gained knowledge of potential transfer value from other fields such as sports, theatre and others, into instrumental practising
  • have improved reflection about their own and others' practice
  • have improved their rehearsal techniques based on personal goals

Overview

The course is open to all students of all instruments, from all genres and study programmes, and is student-governed. Students choose and propose their own project, made up of challenges and focus areas in their own practising. These may be techniques for learning music, mental practising, preventing strain injuries, interpretation and development of a personal style, ensemble playing, improvisation, elements from sports psychology, theatre and more. Students will try out, discuss and reflect upon various approaches with their teachers.

Structure

Tuition in groups for 90 minutes a week for 24 weeks. If needed, guest teachers who specialize in topics relevant to the students will visit the workshop.

Course requirements

1. Attendance is mandatory. Normally, students that are absent more than 20 % will fail the course.

2. Students will do a reflection assignment by 1 May. Students can choose oral or written assignment:

  • Written assignment: essay of 2000-3000 words describing and reflecting upon their own practice projects.
  • Oral assignment: Students produce a demo video where they describe and reflect upon their practice projects, verbally and by demonstrating on their instruments.

Final assessment

All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.

Assessment is based on the learning objectives. The final assessment will be given as a pass/fail mark, which will be determined by the course coordinator based on each student’s level of achievement throughout the course period.

New assessment

In the case of re-assessment, students must retake the course.

Published: May 15, 2020 — Last updated: Apr 20, 2022