Module Descriptors
MAKING MUSIC THEATRE
DRAM60151
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Robert James
Email: R.J.Marsden@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 30
Independent Study Hours: 120
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT weighted at 50%
- PRACTICAL NOT IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
A PRACTICAL PRESENTATION (worth 50%)
[LO's 1,2]
Lasting a maximum of 1 hour as a group.
You will be assessed individually on the following two component elements
i. The composition and performance of a piece of work in relation to a playtext through the genre of the actor/musican style
ii. Perform a solo extract from a piece of musical theatre in its context within the scene
CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT (worth 50%)
[LO 3]
Professional work practice will be assessed, including attendance, punctuality, willingness to engage and work as an ensemble member. This will be assessed on an individual basis.
[LO's 1,2]
Lasting a maximum of 1 hour as a group.
You will be assessed individually on the following two component elements
i. The composition and performance of a piece of work in relation to a playtext through the genre of the actor/musican style
ii. Perform a solo extract from a piece of musical theatre in its context within the scene
CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT (worth 50%)
[LO 3]
Professional work practice will be assessed, including attendance, punctuality, willingness to engage and work as an ensemble member. This will be assessed on an individual basis.
Module Indicative Content
The module will allow you to explore theory and practice of how composition is an integral part to music in theatre. Through examining the most influential theatre composers of the past 50 years which may include Lloyd Webber, Sondheim, Stiles and Drewe, Larson and Boublil and Schonberg you are encouraged to use these practitioners as stimulus in the creation of your own work.
You will examine how theatre practitioners compose music for plays using sections from texts chosen in consultation with the module tutor, exploring how music is technically composed to highlight the emotion of a particular moment, unit or scene of a play.
The development of actor-musicianship from John Doyle's origins in Worcester and York is now a worldwide recognised concept. You will explore the theory and practice of this genre and be instrumental in creating and composing a new piece of "actor/muso" work. You will then demonstrate the understanding of this through the creation of your own musical composition.
Finally, musical theatre will be explored as a genre explicitly. You will analyse the composition of a solo song and perform this in context, demonstrating your understanding of how the composition and arrangements aids the storytelling process.
You will examine how theatre practitioners compose music for plays using sections from texts chosen in consultation with the module tutor, exploring how music is technically composed to highlight the emotion of a particular moment, unit or scene of a play.
The development of actor-musicianship from John Doyle's origins in Worcester and York is now a worldwide recognised concept. You will explore the theory and practice of this genre and be instrumental in creating and composing a new piece of "actor/muso" work. You will then demonstrate the understanding of this through the creation of your own musical composition.
Finally, musical theatre will be explored as a genre explicitly. You will analyse the composition of a solo song and perform this in context, demonstrating your understanding of how the composition and arrangements aids the storytelling process.
Module Learning Strategies
A series of weekly practical workshops (1 ¿ to 2 hours in length) will introduce students to a range of practical skills, techniques and methodologies to explore the indicative content.
The final practical assessed presentation will allow students the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on their practice through working towards a formal sharing of their work under assessed conditions with solo and / or ensemble work negotiated with the module leader and tutor.
The final practical assessed presentation will allow students the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on their practice through working towards a formal sharing of their work under assessed conditions with solo and / or ensemble work negotiated with the module leader and tutor.
Module Texts
Deer, Joe. (2008). Acting in Musical Theatre. Routledge
Goodhart, S (2000). Reading Stephen Sondheim. Routledge.
Keyser, H. (2009). The Geniuses of the American Musical Theatre. Applause Books.
Schonberg, A. (1999). Fundamentals of Musical Composition. Faber and Faber
Vermette, M (2007). The Musical World of Boublil and Schonberg. Applause Theatre Books
Plus DVDs, Scores and CDs suggested by the module tutor on the music/musicals studied.
Goodhart, S (2000). Reading Stephen Sondheim. Routledge.
Keyser, H. (2009). The Geniuses of the American Musical Theatre. Applause Books.
Schonberg, A. (1999). Fundamentals of Musical Composition. Faber and Faber
Vermette, M (2007). The Musical World of Boublil and Schonberg. Applause Theatre Books
Plus DVDs, Scores and CDs suggested by the module tutor on the music/musicals studied.
Module Resources
Drama Studio
Blackboard
Music CDs
Technical Equipment - Keyboard and ipod/ CD Players
Library
IT software
Blackboard
Music CDs
Technical Equipment - Keyboard and ipod/ CD Players
Library
IT software