Learning outcome

Through their participation in the course, students will:

• Develop a well-rounded understanding of music drawn from the diverse cultures of the world.
• Strengthen their skills in singing, acting, movement and listening as a basis for teaching and interacting with children and adults in a professional context.
• Develop a broad repertoire of musical activities.
• Further develop and stimulate their creative imagination and musical creative abilities.
• Expand their knowledge of children’s musical-aesthetic development and ways of thinking, as a foundation for observation and organising a rich and challenging musical environment in kindergartens and schools.
• Widen their appreciation of the importance of music for people and for interpersonal relationships.
• Increase their insight into the musical culture of our time, and the traditions and values on which it is built.

The course will also provide students with an understanding of the philosophy of science and methodology.

Course Description

The course comprises three major course units:

1. Musical Impressions and Expressions
2. Music, Society and Culture
3. Music and the Professional Role

Musical Impressions and Expressions

This major course unit will increase students’ competence and build their confidence in their music-pedagogical work. Musical leadership and communication will be emphasised.

Musical performance and leadership

The intention of this theme is to stimulate and develop the ability of each student to practice and lead varied/multifaceted musical activities for children.

• Working with varied forms of expression and activities: vocal activities, rhythmic activities, dance and movement, arranging, improvisation, composing, playing and ensemble playing
• Use of percussion instruments
• Singing and vocal work
• Leading ensemble playing/group activities

Musical theory

Students are provided with a basic introduction to music theory and ear training as a tool for use in their own musical development.

Training in the use of an instrument

This course unit will provide students with training in using a guitar or piano as an accompanying instrument.

Emphasis is placed on the students being able to accompany singing, movement and other activities. Students should achieve a satisfactory level of skill during the course of the year. The student should build up a repertoire of at least 10 songs of various types and in different keys.

Singing and vocal work

Students will work on their singing voices and also in relation to singing with children. The main emphasis will therefore be on children’s songs, where preferably new song material will be studied, also in relation to gaining skills in note reading.

Training to play by ear, intonation, keeping time, articulation and development of children’s voices are also important themes.

Students will build a repertoire of 7 common songs a capella and 3 individually chosen songs for accompaniment.

Kindergarten concert

Students will plan, arrange and carry out a kindergarten concert.

Musical and aesthetic forms of expression should be included in the “concert”.

Part of the repertoire for the concert should consist of the students’ own compositions and arrangements.

Emphasis will be given to activating children through musical and music/drama activities.

The kindergarten concert will be included as part of the Bachelor’s thesis.

Music, Society and Culture

The work on this major course unit will strengthen the student’s understanding of music as an arts and culture subject and music’s value in growing up and upbringing.

The major course unit will focus on the following themes:

Music as an arts and culture subject

• The nature of music
• Music and other arts and culture subjects
• Contemporary music culture and the traditions and values it builds on
• Music and children with various cultural backgrounds
• Folk music in kindergartens and schools
• Children’s culture and music

The value of music in growing up and upbringing

• Music and life values
• The kindergarten’s/school’s foundation of values regarding music

Music and the Professional Role

This major course unit will provide students with skills in working independently with various music-pedagogical activities in which working together with children is in focus.

The following themes will be focused on:

Development and children’s musical behaviour

• The development of musical concepts
• Musicality, children’s musical behaviour, creativity and development
• Musical learning and motivation
• Children with special needs

Music pedagogical theory and practice

• Music pedagogical guidelines
• Musical aesthetic guidelines
• Music didactics in kindergartens and schools
• Musical leadership – the leader role
• Planning for the academic year and progression

Conditions for activities

• Cooperation within the discipline music
• Cooperation with parents regarding musical activities

Assessment Methods

Obligatory student participation

Student attendance of the teaching is obligatory due to the subject’s practical and group-dynamic character.

Within some subject areas practical group assignments will be given / ensemble assignments of various kinds. These are obligatory.

Course requirements

The course has the following requirements in the autumn semester: 15 ECTS credits

• Test in music theory / ear training (pass / fail)
• Two assignments in composition (average grade for the three compositions)
• Three group assignments on didactics which must be submitted between periods (pass / fail)

The course has the following requirements in the spring semester:

• Completed period of practical training (pass / fail)
• Test in singing and playing (pass / fail)
• An assignment on composition which must be submitted (average grade for the three compositions)
• Bachelor’s thesis (graded)

The assessment has four components

1. Course requirements (autumn and spring)
2. 2. Portfolio assessment (graded mark which counts 10%)

• Three submitted assignments in composition / arrangements

1. 3. Bachelor’s thesis (graded mark which counts 30%)

• Kindergarten concert with written assignment.

1. 4. Final examination (graded mark which counts 60 %)

The final examination consists of a practical-methodological assignment, which will have a duration of roughly 20 minutes per student. Students will document their organisational and instruction skills regarding various forms of musical expression and activity aimed at a given target group. In addition, musical skills will be important when assessing students.

A final grade will be awarded on the diploma, graded from A to F where A is the highest grade and E is the lowest passing grade. Each course unit must receive a passing grade in order for students to receive a final passing grade. Please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations for further information.

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