Music Specialisation for Pre-School Teachers, fordypning

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With reservation for changes by March 1st

Introduction

The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for Specialisation in Music (30 ECTS) - Pre-School Teacher Education approved by the Ministry of Education and Research on 3rd March 1997.

The study programme focuses on providing students with insight into music as a language and form of cultural expression. Music is an arts, crafts and scientific subject. Important aspects of the subject are experiencing ethical values, the development of self-expression and musical interaction with others. Fundamental aspects of the study programme are experiencing music, the attainment of knowledge, and the development of musical skills and imagination.

The study programme will provide students with improved skills and more self-confidence when using music in a professional context. The academic and pedagogical aspects of music will therefore be included as complementary parts of a whole.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The study programme is primarily intended for students pursuing the 3-year Pre-School Teacher Education study programme and will qualify them for pedagogical work with children in the age groups specified by the national curriculum. The programme is also suitable for qualified pre-school teachers.

There are no special requirements for admission to the specialisation study programme, but practical musical experience in various genres (choirs, corps, bands etc.) will be an advantage.

Aim of the Programme

Through their participation in the study programme, 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 their 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.

Further Education opportunities

The study programme provides the necessary requirement for admission to Music 2 which is offered at Telemark University College.

Curriculum and structure

Obligatory Courses Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(S) S3(A) S4(S) S5(A) S6(S) Total: 15 15 0 0 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The study programme comprises three major course units:

1. Musical Impressions and Expressions

2. Music, Society and Culture

3. Music and the Professional Role

The major course units Musical Impressions and Expressions and Music and the Professional Role each constitute about 40% of the study programme. The major course unit, Music, Society and Culture constitutes about 20% of the programme.

Musical Impressions and Expressions

Studying this major course unit will increase students’ competence and build their confidence in their music-pedagogical work. Musical leadership and communication is important in this part of the study programme.

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. If there are special reasons for using another instrument this may also be considered.

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 15 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 8 common songs a capella and 3 individually chosen songs for accompaniment.

Music project

Students will plan, arrange and carry out a ‘kindergarten/school 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 music project will be included as part of the teaching practice.

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
• Musical cooperation in various growing up environments

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

• Observation of children’s musical behaviour
• Cooperation within the discipline music
• Cooperation with parents regarding musical activities

Teaching and Learning Methods

The study programme is organised into workshops and course assignments between the workshop periods. Information concerning the course assignments will be made accessible via Classfronter. Students must have an instrument they can practice with. They must also expect to study a minimum of ten hours a week in addition to the scheduled teaching time.

Study trip / course

In connection with the major course unit, Music, Society and Culture a study trip/course may be arranged. Relevant themes regarding this may be music and children with various cultural backgrounds and folk music in kindergartens and schools.

Students will cover the study trip expenses.

Teaching practice

The period of teaching practice is an important part of the programme. Emphasis will be placed on teaching, observation and interaction with children. The teaching practice will be divided into two main areas:

1. A music project which consists of planning and performing a kindergarten/school concert. The project should be carried out by groups of between 5-7 students. Each concert should be performed 4-5 times in a kindergarten or a school. The project should be concluded with a final report.

2. Observation of children’s spontaneous musical activities and musical behaviour. In connection with the observations, students will receive assignments regarding analysing the results.

Supervision

Each group will receive supervision in connection with the teaching practice and project.

Assessment Methods

Obligatory student participation

Student attendance of the teaching is obligatory due to the subject’s practical and group-dynamic character. In some of the theoretical themes, in which the syllabus-reading list adequately covers the subject material, exceptions may be made regarding the obligatory attendance requirement. This must be approved by the subject teacher.

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

The assessment has three components

1. Examinations (Pass/fail)

• Musical theory
• Ear training
• Exercise in singing and playing
• Music project

2. Portfolio assessment (Graded mark which counts 40%)

• Three submitted assignments in composition/arrangement
• Written individual 3-day home examination/assignment. The assignment covers the whole syllabus.

The two components in the portfolio will be assessed together.

3. Final examination (Graded mark which counts 60 %)

• Individual practical methodological assignment.

The practical-methodological assignment 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.

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.

Pensum

Se: gjeldende emne

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