Practicum 1B

Rationale and Purpose of the Module: Development of the studentsÆ primary performance interest, whether instrumental, vocal or dance. Students will be encouraged to engage in a dynamic self-critical process conducive to development and related to the principle of reflective practice. Also the development of musicianship and body-awareness skills.

Syllabus: This module is divided into two parts. The first is the development of the students performance practice and will occur in the stylistic context most common to the performance practice of the student. However, tutors will begin to encourage students to look to other styles and repertoires current within a primarily Irish context. This will take place in the context of one-on-one classes and develops from the progress in Practicum 1a. The second part of these modules will be related to performance skills and again this element will be divided into two separate streams for musicians and dancers. Musicians will take Keyboard Skills and Aural Training which will include keyboard harmony (vamping, chordal analysis and application, both aural and written), aural skills (transcribing tunes and songs, awareness of traditional forms and styles, sight reading and sight singing). It is important to emphasise that the orientation of this stream of multi-skill development will be towards the needs and realities of traditional Irish music and musicians but with a wider context in mind. Dancers will take Movement Awareness. This will include practical dance workshops to introduce some of the movement principles that inform other dance practices today. It will also include an introduction to techniques and practices designed to promote the release of tension in the body in order to facilitate greater ease of movement. It will also include an introduction to the use of visual imagery as a way to develop an understanding of the correct alignment in movement. Finally an introduction to supplementary practices used by dancers as part of their training eg. Yoga, Feldankrais, Alexander technique and Pilates. Improvisation will be undertaken in practical workshops to introduce the concept of improvisation as a means of exploring movement possibilities and also expanding movement vocabulary. Improvisations will include working with movement themes, dramatic themes, props, text and visual stimuli.