Historical Performance Practice (MUSI40032)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Advanced academic study of the resources, instruments, techniques and stylistic conventions relevant to the performance of music of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Sometimes referred to as performance practice, period performance, or "authentic" performance, "historically informed performance" (HIP) is an historical approach that seeks to uncover and decipher performing techniques of the past in order to better understand the musical culture and expectations of our own time.

 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • explain and evaluate, at an advanced level, a range of issues involved in historical performance practice including debates about the aesthetic validity of 'historically informed performance';
  • explain and evaluate, at an advanced level, how music in a particular style might originally have sounded, as well as the links between the historical study of style and contemporary approaches to performing;
  • identify and evaluate the use of primary sources as lines of evidence for historical performance styles.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • demonstrate skills aimed at augmenting independent critical thinking;
  • experiment with new ideas;
  • implement their independent research and critical reflection directly into music performance.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Performance/Research report (a written report of 2200 words or a 20-minute performance examination, depending on specialisation)

During examination week45%

Individual seminar presentation

  • 10 minutes
From Week 5 to Week 1120%

Written exam

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Week 1225%

Regular participation in discussion, ongoing

Throughout the teaching period10%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorDonald Nicolson
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Southbank)
    Contact hours24 hours, comprising one 2-hour seminar per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Donald Nicolson: dnicolson@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Delivery

This subject is co-delivered with MUSI30116 Historical Performance Practice.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025