Course Outline


Core Courses

Research Methods in Music
Course Leader: Dr. Koji Matsunobu

This course equips participants with a solid foundation of research methodology in music and prepare them in implementing practice-based research in performing and composing as well as theory-based research in musicology, ethnomusicology and music education. Specific research methods including case studies, documentary analysis, ethnography, survey, experimental research as well as research tools including interviews, observation, fieldwork, questionnaire survey, etc. are introduced. Specific examples of research designs and publications will be presented for participants' critical review, discussion, debate and reflection. Participants will also be exposed to ethical issues in the implementation of research.

Socio-psychological Perspectives in Music & the Arts
Course Leader: Dr. Koji Matsunobu and Dr. Matthew D. Thibeault

The study of psychology and sociology provides different perspectives in understanding the nature of music and arts in different aspects including creation, presentation, appreciation, and critique. This course aims to review and examine updated theories in psychology and sociology in music and arts with modern and postmodernism views in both Western and Chinese culture. Human aesthetic experiences are introduced in order to solicit possible linkage and relationship with psychology and sociology. Students are involved in theoretical and practical experiences in music and related art forms.

Independent Project

As a project requirement for graduation, this course aims to showcase the cumulative learning of to-be-graduates as experienced music practitioners with a good understanding in thinking, research and practice in the field of music education relevant to their professional roles. It can be pursued through an independent research/ composition/ performance/ practices-based project. Participants will work with their assigned supervisor to plan and formulate the Independent Project according to specific assessment criteria stipulated in each option.

Electives

Techniques and Styles in Contemporary Music
Course Leader: Dr. Tang Pan Hang

The musical style and aesthetic approaches changed dramatically in the past century. Serious music in the 20th to 21st Century has become so hard for everyone to understand. We are sometimes not even able to identify whether they are music or noise. The question "What is music?" is the central theme of this course, in which the impact of certain social and political factors, including WWI, WWII, Cold War, the advancement of modern technology, globalization and anti-globalization, will be discussed. This course aims to discuss the techniques and styles of, as well as the philosophy behind Impressionism, Expressionism, Serialism, Pointillism, Neo-classicism, Primitivism, Musique Concrète, Electronic Music, Sound Mass, Total-serialism, Aleatory music, Minimalism, Holy Minimalism, New Age Music, and Spectralism, so that the participants can equip the knowledge to appreciate music of these kinds.

Performance Psychology and Research Issues
Course Leader: Course Leader: Dr. Lo Khin Yee

This course provides an introduction to the practical and theoretical issues in the psychology of music performance and in performance research. It covers topics on psychological processes related to musical performance and practice, such as memory, motivation, attribution, self-efficacy, self-regulation, stage fright, body movement, expression of emotions, as well as the process of performance research and writing and evaluating reports. The application of psychological processes to enhance one’s performance and rehearsal quality is emphasized throughout. Participants are required to showcase their learning outcomes through essay, analysis of performance research methodology, and lecture demonstration.

Conducting and Performance Leadership
Course Leader: Dr. Paulina Wong Wai Ying

This course develops participants’ skills and conceptual understanding in leading musical performances in choral or instrumental settings as a conductor or a member of an ensemble. Emphasis will be placed on development of musicianship, communication techniques and leadership psychology through professional practices. The course also requires participants to learn from practical experiences through outside practices and/or self-directed engagement activities in conducting.

Contemporary Approaches to Music Teaching and Learning
Course Leader: Dr. Lo Khin Yee

This course examines various contemporary approaches to music teaching and learning in diverse contexts, including classrooms, extra-curricular activities, rehearsals, instrumental teaching studios, academies and communities. The areas to be covered include the eclectic ways that children and adults of different cultures learn to perceive and perform music, the acquisition of musical knowledge, musicianship skills, and the formal and informal ways of learning. Evaluation and analysis of western, non-western, traditional and current approaches to music teaching and learning in contemporary societies will be the focus of discussion.

Seminars in Cultural Ecology and Arts Dissemination
Course Leader: Dr Sunnie He Yang

This course aims to provide all MA students with opportunities to learn first-hand from industry leaders of the cultural industry as well as to reflect on arts dissemination and promotion activities from the perspective of cultural ecology development. Seminars featuring guest speakers comprise the main content of the course, supplemented by possible regional visits to specific cultural ecologies/events/organizations. The teacher plays a facilitator and co-ordinator role in planning seminar speakers, contents and regional visit schedules; as well as preparing participants to maximize their learning outcomes through relevant introductions, guidance and assessment tasks. Areas covered by the course may include Presentation & Promotion, Resource & Policy Support, Commercial Operation, Intermediaries & Dissemination, etc., either in the local and/or the regional context. Participants shall have to bear their own traveling and boarding expenses incurred by any possible regional visits which form an integral part of the course.

Music Performance Teaching and Learning
Course Leader: Dr. Paulina Wong Wai Ying

In this course participants will develop a variety of musical communication and conducting skills through music making and directing in different settings. Participants will also develop wide range of knowledge and skills relevant to directing ensembles, including aspects of leadership, rehearsal procedures and administration issues. Opportunities to conduct and lead a choral/instrumental ensemble will be offered to the participants within the class.

Pedagogies of Improvisation in Music Learning
Course Leader: Dr. Matthew D. Thibeault

Teaching improvisation can be accomplished in many ways, and this course explores pedagogic approaches to fostering improvisation with students from beginner to advanced. Improvisation is understood today as a core asset in musical growth, in supporting the development of musical ideas, the broadening of musical understanding, the development of musical creativity, the sharpening of listening skills, and the enactment of collective creative performances. We will experience both historical and contemporary approaches to working with learners to improvise music. The course uses a workshop approach to cover such areas as methodologies for beginning learners, improvisation in folk and participatory music, the movement for free improvisation from the 1960s, and learning to improvise in jazz and pop styles. The course also considers how improvised music can work flexibly to support flexible and improvised social situations.

Composition Pedagogy
Course Leader: Dr. Michael Leung Chi Hin

Can composition be taught? Many would doubt that any pedagogical approach will serve its purpose in training a composer if the right talent is not there. This course, however, explores the fundamentals of music and music composition both as an art (skill) and an art form (medium of communication) in terms of the basic ingredients of what makes music work. From such basis, participants will explore and reflect on how students of composition may first grasp the fundamentals of musical communication and then proceed to express using these ingredients of music in their creative outputs without having to be burdened right from the start with specific languages, aesthetic or technical norms. Participants are also required to reflect critically on different models of composition pedagogic approaches (including their own).

Stylistic Studies in Performance Practices


This course aims to provide students with in-depth insight on historical performance practices from the Renaissance to the present through selected repertoires. Participants will be able to understand the communicative dynamics in Western music and music-related performance settings, and will develop proficiency in appreciating music in various performance contexts.  Music-making sessions, lectures and workshops will complement the input from guest lecturers to enhance students’ awareness of style, aesthetics and communication in musical performance.

Arts Management in Hong Kong
Course Leader: Dr Sunnie He Yang

This course examines the social, economic, and political environment of the arts in Hong Kong and the role of arts managers in management and dissemination of the arts. Students study the historical development of cultural policy and funding models of the arts in Hong Kong. Different aspects of arts management and dissemination including strategic planning, programming and project management, venue management, marketing, audience development, financial management, human resources management, board functions, fundraising will be investigated. Through a investigation of current theories, contemporary issues and practical skills, students will acquire knowledge and insights on arts management.

Technology in Music Teaching and Learning
Course Leader: Dr. Matthew Thibeault and Dr Jason Chen Chi Wai

Technology has been ubiquitous in all forms of music learning activities, and the ability to incorporate it into the learning process has become a requirement for music educators in the digital era. This course helps students to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the role of technology in music teaching and learning. The first part of this course emphasizes students’ knowledge and skills concerning the recent development in music technology. Synergies between different art forms, media and disciplines will be overviewed. This second part emphasizes the research and practice in mobile learning in both classroom and studio teaching. Mobile composing includes using applications to perform and compose across various musical genres. Studio and classroom music teachers will be equipped with the practice, research, curriculum design and innovative approaches in the application of e-learning in mobile music creation.