String Project Information

When will the course be held? As this project involves other members of the community there is some flexibility with the time commitments for the project. The time commitment for each student will be decided in consultation with the lecturer as part of the students individual study plan (see below). The commitment would be approximately an hour every week or fortnight for rehearsal and then additional time for the completion of the research component. What will I do as part of the project? Each enrolled student will develop an individual study plan based on their particular discipline and interests. The study plan will involve: musical activity (ie playing within the group); pedagogical development (developing an understanding of the Music Engagement Program philosophical basis and its application to this context) and a research component. The research component may be arts-based (for example, compositions or arrangements for the multi-level group); qualitative (for example, evaluation of an emerging pedagogical method and its impact on participants); or quantitative (survey of impact on the participants or some subset of the participants). Some student plans may involve the need for ethics approval. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own weightings for aspect s of their study plan and the outputs they will generate. The enrolled students will perform at at least one set of major performances (the MEP Big Gig) and participate in an intensive seminar which is open to intere sted teachers and community members. This seminar will involve discussion and practice and help recruit interested individuals to continue and extend the project. How will it be assessed? Each student will design their own project in consultation with the fellow and expert advisors (see below for staff). Examples of projects include: A string player analysing one or several aspects of the teaching pedagogy in comparison to their own experience of teaching and developing pedagogical methods of their own based on their observations. The development of a portfolio of compositions and arrangements that are suitable for multi-generational/multi-skilled string groups. A non-musician exploring the outcomes for other non-musicians of various ages in the group and comparing to the outcomes for participating musicians.

 A non-musician develops an instrument for assessing the impact of participation for the group or a sub-group. A musician develops an instrument for testing various music skill measures that emerge from participation for the group as a whole or a sub-group. A student tracks attendance of each member of the group across both projects (local and regional) and assesses reasons for attendance/absences.

Course Code: MUSI2205 or MUSI3307 Creative and Professional Practice Music Project NB: This course code refers to a course made up by a number of similar projects. Thus, the information on Study@ may not be accurate for this particular project. Principal staff: Susan West (ANU), Lauren Davis (Riverina Conservatorium), Andrew Baker (Lachlan Division, Mitchell Conservatorium), Sarah Pettigrove (ANU).

For more information please email sarah.pettigrove@anu.edu.au