Course Objectives

The main aim of the programme is to provide students with the necessary skills to enable them to teach music.

The main focus of Music 2 is teaching in the 8th to 10th grades of the lower secondary school, and it is important that students use their own musical experiences during the course of the study as a basis for reflection over what is involved in being a music teacher.

Course Description

1. Subject and subject didactics knowledge and skills

A. Music theory and ear training

Music theory topics will be covered in the context of music practice and ensemble playing.

Further practice with ear training / playing by ear is an important tool in the process of musical awareness. It is important that students are able to relate this to individual and group practice.

B. Singing and playing

Students will develop the skills they acquired in Music 1; they may select a different instrument - and learn skills in singing, playing and ensemble playing. Various ensemble groups will be formed on the basis of students’ main interests. Instruction in playing is limited to the instruments that the department staff possess skills in. The department will help students to make contacts with the respective teachers.

Ensemble playing

Students will practice playing their instruments together in ensembles. Various instrument ensembles may be formed with two or more students, instrumentally and vocally, where the focus will be on musical practice of various genres. This practice also aims to include discovery of a methodological and didactic approach so that the students may reflect on playing together and what this involves, and gain experience from this.

Students will also practice using percussion instruments and play together using band instruments.

Students will organize and perform at least one concert per. semester, in which all students participate.
In the examination, the students put up a repertoire of songs and playing, and in ensemble groups (see Assessment Methods – 3rd final examination).

C. Dance and movement

The course in dance is one of the obligatory requirements of Music 2. This may also be organised as an elective specialisation subject in courses such as Norwegian folk dancing, international folk dancing, creative dancing or modern and popular dancing styles.

D. Composing and arrangements

On the basis of the students’ practice with their principal instrument and their ensemble playing students will compose music and develop arrangements for the group / their own instrument. This work may also be done using ICT / MIDI-technology, and other technology.

Students must submit a minimum of 5 compositions/arrangements from various genres for approval. These will be included in the student’s portfolio which will form part of the final assessment (see below under IV Assessment).

E. Music orientation / music history

The syllabus in music history further develops the syllabus of Music 1. The students will study further and develop familiarity with the music and musical styles of various genres of the twentieth century. Students may specialise in any of the following themes:

• Modernism
• Jazz/ Afro-American musical traditions
• Folk music
• Ethnic music
• Norwegian music

The various themes will be studied individually or collectively and will conclude with an exercise/test.

The students will write a specialisation assignment on a theme which they choose themselves.

2. Being a music teacher

The main aim of the programme is to provide students with the necessary skills to enable them to teach music. The main focus of Music 2 is teaching in the 8th to 10th grades of the lower secondary school, and it is important that students use their own musical experiences during the course of the study as a basis for reflection over what is involved in being a music teacher.

3. Interaction and reflection

Leading an ensemble, directing a choir, and the dissemination of music are relevant themes.

Students will work on a didactic / methodological assignment on a music pedagogical topic. The assignment must be approved and included in the student’s portfolio. The assignment may also be presented as a lecture for fellow students.

1. Subject and subject didactics knowledge and skills

A. Music theory and ear training

Music theory topics will be covered in the context of music practice and ensemble playing.

Further practice with ear training / playing by ear is an important tool in the process of musical awareness. It is important that students are able to relate this to individual and group practice.

B. Singing and playing

Students will develop the skills they acquired in Music 1; they may select a different instrument - and learn skills in singing, playing and ensemble playing. Various ensemble groups will be formed on the basis of students’ main interests. Instruction in playing is limited to the instruments that the department staff possess skills in. The department will help students to make contacts with the respective teachers.

Ensemble playing

Students will practice playing their instruments together in ensembles. Various instrument ensembles may be formed with two or more students, instrumentally and vocally, where the focus will be on musical practice of various genres. This practice also aims to include discovery of a methodological and didactic approach so that the students may reflect on playing together and what this involves, and gain experience from this.

Students will also practice using percussion instruments and play together using band instruments.

Students will organize and perform at least one concert per. semester, in which all students participate.
In the examination, the students put up a repertoire of songs and playing, and in ensemble groups (see Assessment Methods – 3^rd final examination).

C. Dance and movement

The course in dance is one of the obligatory requirements of Music 2. This may also be organised as an elective specialisation subject in courses such as Norwegian folk dancing, international folk dancing, creative dancing or modern and popular dancing styles.

D. Composing and arrangements

On the basis of the students’ practice with their principal instrument and their ensemble playing students will compose music and develop arrangements for the group / their own instrument. This work may also be done using ICT / MIDI-technology, and other technology.

Students must submit a minimum of 5 compositions/arrangements from various genres for approval. These will be included in the student’s portfolio which will form part of the final assessment (see below under IV Assessment).

E. Music orientation / music history

The syllabus in music history further develops the syllabus of Music 1. The students will study further and develop familiarity with the music and musical styles of various genres of the twentieth century. Students may specialise in any of the following themes:

• Modernism
• Jazz/ Afro-American musical traditions
• Folk music
• Ethnic music
• Norwegian music

The various themes will be studied individually or collectively and will conclude with an exercise/test.

The students will write a specialisation assignment on a theme which they choose themselves.

2. Being a music teacher

The main aim of the programme is to provide students with the necessary skills to enable them to teach music. The main focus of Music 2 is teaching in the 8th to 10th grades of the lower secondary school, and it is important that students use their own musical experiences during the course of the study as a basis for reflection over what is involved in being a music teacher.

3. Interaction and reflection

Leading an ensemble, directing a choir, and the dissemination of music are relevant themes.

Students will work on a didactic / methodological assignment on a music pedagogical topic. The assignment must be approved and included in the student’s portfolio. The assignment may also be presented as a lecture for fellow students.

Learning Methods

The course is organized in class and group teaching, as well as some individual instruction. A great deal of emphasis is placed on music performance. Interaction and playing in ensembles will therefore be an important part of the Music 2 course.

Assessment Methods

Students must have their assignments and exercises approved by the subject teacher before they will be permitted to sit the final examination.

Course requirements in the autumn semester (pass / fail) 15 ECTS

• Test in musical theory / ear training
• Test in dance and folk music
• Planning and performance of a concert
• Test in a music history course

Course requirements spring semester

• 5 assignments in composition (portfolio assessment)
• Music history specialization assignment
• Music pedagogical / didactic assignment

The assessment consists of three components:

1. Course requirements (pass / fail)
2. Portfolio (graded 40%)

• Two of the five submitted and approved assignments in composition are included in the portfolio for review
• Music history specialization assignment
• Music pedagogical / didactic assignment

Student teachers taking the course in the 3rd year will write their BA assignment which comprises 5 ECTS credits, which is given a separate grade, see the Guidelines for the BA assignments.

3. Final examination (60%)

The final examination consists of written and practical/oral sections. The written part is a take-home examination regarding composition/ arrangement. The practical/oral part involves a practical performance. The students must arrange a concert programme which exhibits both individual skills and skills in playing together (20 minutes).

In calculating the grade for the final examination the practical/oral section counts for 60% and the written section for 40%.

The final grade will be entered on the candidates diploma, graded from A to F, where A is the highest grade and E the lowest passing grade. Each part of the assessment must achieve a passing grade in order for a student to be awarded a final passing grade.

For more information, please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean