Handbook home
Symphonic Ensembles 1 (Breadth) (MUSI30279)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The Symphonic Ensembles (including large instrumental bands and orchestras) play an important role in the educational and performance activities of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM). Students participating in Symphonic Ensembles gain invaluable experience through rehearsing and performing a wide variety of works from the symphonic canon.
The MCM has several performing groups within Symphonic Ensembles 1, including:
- Symphony Orchestra
- Wind Symphony
- Philharmonic Orchestra
- Concert Band
The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony take priority over all others. Auditions for all ensembles are usually held in February, after which students will be rostered on merit into an appropriate ensemble.
At the completion of the audition process, students will be placed by staff into a ‘primary’ performing group. Once a student has been placed into a performing group there is no flexibility for negotiating a change. Where applicable, students will then be rostered into a self-chosen ‘secondary’ performing group. It is important for students to provide staff with their preferred choices to enable staff to attempt to follow students’ wishes.
If students do not offer an order, staff will also choose each student’s secondary ensemble, again without recourse for negotiating a change. Students can offer to play in more than two ensembles (and many students do). Once both primary and secondary ensembles have been rostered, students cannot then change their ensemble priorities without the consent of both the Head of Area and Head of Orchestral Studies.
Pass/Fail Grade
This subject is marked on a pass/fail basis and is not included in the weighted average mark (WAM) calculation.
Delivery
This subject is co-taught with MUSI10060 Symphonic Ensembles 1, MUSI20093 Symphonic Ensembles 1, MUSI20124 Symphonic Ensembles 1 (Breadth), MUSI30185 Symphonic Ensembles 1, MUSI90217 Orchestral Experience 1, and MUSI90224 Orchestral Experience 3. Students cannot simultaneously enrol in co-taught subjects in the same study period.
100% punctual attendance is expected at all rehearsals and performance, as directed.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- show technical development as ensemble musicians;
- participate with ability and self-confidence as a team member of a performing group;
- perform selected repertoire to concert standard;
- identify and exhibit specific knowledge of a range of ensemble repertoire;
- exhibit an informed respect for the values and principles of ensemble performance.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- demonstrate a capacity to think critically and independently;
- study selected repertoire relevant to the ensemble to performance standard;
- apply time and people management skills to rehearsal and performance planning;
- demonstrate teamwork skills in rehearsal/performance groups.
Last updated: 2 May 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
AUDITION: Students are required to request an audition for this subject via the online form at the Fine Arts and Music Current Students Forms page via this link:
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
The minimum level of performance required for this ensemble would be equivalent to AMEB grade 7 or a high grade for VCE solo performance.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 2 May 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Preparation of parts, individual and/or sectional practice and active participation in all rehearsals, classes and performances as directed
| Throughout the teaching period | 75% |
3 web-based quizzes, based on assigned reading, relevant to the experience of music performance, in week 4, 8 and 12
| Throughout the teaching period | 25% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of all scheduled classes, rehearsals and performances as directed. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Pass/Fail Grade
This subject is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Last updated: 2 May 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Nicholas Williams Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours Up to 72 hours, comprising between one and three 2-hour rehearsals weekly during semester and intensive rehearsal periods prior to concerts. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022
Additional delivery details
This subject is not available to Bachelor of Music students.
Delivery
This subject is co-taught with:
- MUSI10060 Symphonic Ensembles 1;
- MUSI20093 Symphonic Ensembles 1;
- MUSI20124 Symphonic Ensembles 1 (Breadth);
- MUSI30185 Symphonic Ensembles 1;
- MUSI90217 Orchestral Experience 1, and;
- MUSI90224 Orchestral Experience 3.
Last updated: 2 May 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
Symphonic Contacts
For symphonic-related enquiries, please contact your head of area:
- Strings: Dr Curt Thompson w.thompson@unimelb.edu.au
- Woodwind: Derek Jones drjones@unimelb.edu.au
- Brass: Don Immel don.immel@unimelb.edu.au
- Percussion: Brent Miller brent.miller@unimelb.edu.au
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 2 May 2023