Ill health has delayed my start for the next submission which is as the post title states. i hope to be able to begin this tomorrow.
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2nd Presentation: Progress to date
Meeting with James Scanlon to present my developments of my project. James has a background in Games development so I needed to be clear in my approach with key terms. Overall it went well, partly because I learnt what to have ready in advance and the idea was really fixed in my head. Where have I taken inspiration from? Research books along the subjects of Madrigal, Teaching methods, Accessibility all the key words and in a way they have come together to highlight what is key for me as an individual. Emotion. The design of the proposal was important in making sure I am motivated to carry out the workload in the new year. My knowledge of the Madrigal from previous experience together with acknowledging what teaching experience I do have from over the years make the task less scary. Like klling two birds with the one stone. I really feel more comfortable now that the plans or what we think will happen are now set out for review. Where ideas came from: What key figures have been doing research on the Madrigal? ….(Fellowes, Ongaro, Owens and Scott) What key figures have been doing research on accessibility? What key figures have been doing research on the teaching adults (andragogy)? Everything has to work: My plan helps outline or iron out any issues that may occur but by linking with expertise and knowing my weaknesses I can make sure there are backs up in place. Mapping out all the variables. All the things that influence what is to happen all the key factors to bare in mind help give a better idea of what is to come. Jamie speaks of being fully immersed in the flow of the Project. The background research, primary and secondary as well as being engaged in learning about research techniques has made me fully immersed in the project to a state where several elements can change if need be. He talks of a Collaborative Project.
Even though this research phase has been difficult I can now see that once I get into the doing part and eventually produce my seminal work or output It will be a great achievement. James’s initial interpretation so far from what I presented:
Further research into this area in general outside the context of Madrigals would be of benefit. Some of my current strategies for learning such as recording, documentation and note taking techniques can be applied to my testing methods with ease. Thinking about the output: A guide PDF for publication online made available to the masses. The content of which will be determined through the action of doing the practice element of the project. James asked what is a Madrigal? I need to expand on making sure the basics are clear to all exposed to my work. Extended techniques In Madrigal Singing? What are the elements? Any video clips or audio files for reference? Getting feedback from a second opinion was valuable. Highlighting the importance of turning your Original Concept into your constructed idea. To justify how far you have got at this stage. “I cant imagine anything scary from a Madrigal Choir?” James says with regard to the Ethics approval. Venue – think of doing a Risk assessment. I had already planned to include this as my previous community music work has made me very aware of the need for this. “Sounds like you’ve got a good grasp of the subject..Keep going." (James) I do not feel I got the project concept across clearly enough in this session. What I should have conveyed was that even though I was fixed on the subject of the Madrigal before, having read a lot around research methods and my key words I see that it is not about the Madrigal that is important for me but the teaching and how people react to music of new or old forms such as the madrigal. This was a breakthrough for me because I now see how this project will benefit me and develop my ability to work in the community. It has changed its structure in a way that will benefit me in the future. (update reflection to post 01.12.14) Creative Scotland’s The Youth Music Initiative – A good network of where new opportunities become availability.
http://www.creativescotland.com Reference: Kings Singers Madrigal Mystery tour
Popular Songs. First Hits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-JIZ_FhtYI&list=PL7E79555CB8F1F7FC&index=1 1968 (Founded The Kings Singers) 1984 (produced the madrigal mystery Tour) Alastair Hume and Simon Carington narrated, presented, and sang in Madrigal History Tour, it was a six part BBC series about the madrigal history in Western Europe. The name was a play on the album from the Beatles album The Madrigal Mystery Tour from 1967. The Kings Madrigal Mystery Tour https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7E79555CB8F1F7FC The Beatles magical Mystery Tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnrsqf33MXA After weeks of lectures from Kenny and Simone I have begun to understand the different building blocks required to plan and write the proposal for my project. This is a distillation process and I am gradually pulling together the pieces of a more defined idea still involving the use of the madrigal. However I will now be focusing on this as a tool through which I shall be testing the effect of aspects of teaching a group of singers given chosen works as new repertoire. I want to try and gauge their reaction through short surveys and possibly some personal interviews. I will be approaching this from the viewpoint of the individuals reception (perception) of the songs. I have been reading about different levels of accessibility and this has helped me decide that Level II accessibility, i.e. Personal/Receptive, is the level at which I can attempt to measure for this study. We have been made aware of the tight time schedules. We only have one semester to complete a project including planning and executing the practical component, doing the evaluations and write up along with completing extensive research and a dissertation. Following on from last week I emailed Jim Kelly with a question regarding sample size. I was looking for conformation that my planned sample frame would be better suited to survey or interview as I will not have sufficient numbers to warrant designing a questionnaire for the project. I am grateful to Jim for a prompt and helpful reply confirming this would be the case. Following on from the feedback from Kenny McAlpine my research is more focused on choral teaching and its effect on a persons reception of a new work.
Internet research between library visits has yielded information on teaching and choral singing networks. Today keywords for this search in the EUL were andragogy or adult learning and choral singing. There is a whole shelf dedicated to this. I need to decide which aspect of the field I want to examine in order to spend my time wisely. I will read further the text by Scott on Madrigal singing and choose the aspects to look at in the context of current practice. As promised, today I received Kenny's feedback on my ideas. This was very helpful as he has posed several questions which are helping me to distil my idea further. I cannot deny that this is a difficult process but creating something is seldom easy. The advice we are getting from both tutors appears sound and gives us a roadmap to the process to follow, we just have to have the ideas! Today I emailed Kenny with a very brief outline of my draft aims and objectives. I have felt that I needed feedback before moving towards a firmer plan for my project.
Today I attended a lecture given by James Kelly about designing questionnaires. Jim also gave us details of other research techniques i.e. surveys and focus groups. This was a elective study option which I was glad to attend. I think it was very detailed but straightforward. I am confident this will be very useful as I go forward with planning my project. Jim was also clearly the man to ask if I encounter any problems. Having spent the first month reading about project creation and management I today began my research in earnest. Keywords I am using for my research are accessibility, reception, madrigal, singing. Books found today of particular interest I will list here in the Harvard style ready for use in my reference list: Byrne D. 2012: Preface How Music Works, San Francisco, McSweeney’s Eisentraut J. 2013: The Accessibility of Music; Participation and Contact, UK, Cambridge University Press. Scott C.K. 1901 Rev.1931 Madrigal Singing, London, Oxford University Press |
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April 2015
AuthorAmy Moar is a Scottish music student who is working towards her BA Hons Music Performance. Amy has worked professionally both in community music projects and as a performer. Categories |