CUAMPF607
Lead music rehearsals


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to direct performers in music rehearsals.

It applies to individuals who have high level musicianship skills and advanced knowledge of the performance capabilities of instruments. They may work as musical directors or conductors, and are responsible for choosing repertoire, selecting musicians, overseeing the organisation of rehearsals, and providing musical leadership during rehearsals and solutions to performance problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop musical direction skills

1.1 Research scores and performances with musical possibilities and outcomes in mind

1.2 Participate in formal and informal learning experiences for own artistic and professional development

1.3 Explore cultural contexts, contemporary issues and other art forms for their potential application in own work

1.4 Plan work opportunities in line with career goals and artistic aspirations

2. Prepare performance programs

2.1 Discuss vision for programs and expected performance outcomes with relevant people

2.2 Propose repertoire after discussing and confirming casting with producers

2.3 Consult appropriate people on repertoire and its suitability to scope, range and capabilities of ensemble instrumentation or vocal ranges of performers

2.4 Evaluate feedback, and use it to inform the final selection of repertoire and program

2.5 Communicate final musical vision to promoters, producers and performers

3. Prepare to rehearse performance programs

3.1 Assess musical and technical aspects of the repertoire to determine their effect on rehearsals

3.2 Prepare repertoire to ensure that performance shape and vision can be achieved with the performers and within allocated rehearsal time

3.3 Confirm that resources required for rehearsals are obtained and available

3.4 Plan specific techniques to assist communication with performers, and optimise learning of the program

3.5 Develop strategies to meet potential technical and artistic challenges

3.6 Evaluate the music and its potential expressive qualities in preparation for own conducting

4. Finalise rehearsal schedule

4.1 Allocate rehearsal time adequate to the repertoire and to achieve agreed outcomes

4.2 Communicate details of rehearsal content and standard of musical preparation required to relevant personnel, allowing sufficient time for preparation

4.3 Communicate details of responsibility for equipment, instruments and accessories, and venue for each rehearsal to relevant personnel

4.4 Confirm that relevant work health and safety (WHS), copyright and performing rights requirements are meet

4.5 Anticipate problems that might arise in relation to rehearsal schedule, and develop contingency plans

5. Direct rehearsals

5.1 Apply listening skills to ensure that individual and collective tuning is accurate

5.2 Use body to give clear directions for structure, beat, entry cues, dynamics, colour and expression

5.3 Recognise and work with the collective and individual skills of performers

5.4 Apply music knowledge and technical skills to bring out the best in performers and to achieve performance excellence

5.5 Provide feedback to develop performers’ work

6. Evaluate rehearsals

6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions with relevant personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses of rehearsal processes, and areas for future improvement

6.2 Document the outcome of debriefing sessions according to enterprise procedures

6.3 Reflect on own performance as rehearsal leader and others’ feedback, and note areas for future improvement

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

identify and implement ways to develop own direction skills

provide musical leadership on at least three occasions, including:

discussing and selecting repertoire and program

completing required preparations for rehearsals

directing performers during rehearsals to achieve performance level required

conduct and document post-rehearsal debriefing sessions to improve performances.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.


Evidence of Knowledge

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain factors that inform choice of repertoire and the development of performance programs

describe music knowledge, technical skills and communication skills required to organise and direct music rehearsals

describe issues that typically arise in the context of leading music rehearsals, and explain how they might be overcome

describe work health and safety (WHS) requirements and procedures in relation to conducting and performing.


Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

recordings, scores, charts or other written music resources

rehearsal opportunities and venues

performers, relevant instruments and equipment.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


Foundation Skills

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill

Performance Criteria

Description

Learning

1.2

Identifies and uses opportunities to extend professional knowledge

Reading

1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.4, 6.2

Analyses texts and extracts relevant information for potential use

Compares information located in various textual sources

Writing

1.4, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.4, 4.5, 6.2, 6.3

Records results of workplace checks and meetings in required format

Develops documents for personal and professional use using clear, industry-related terminology

Oral Communication

2.1-2.3, 2.5, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 6.1

Articulates clearly, using language appropriate to audience and environment

Uses questioning and listening skills to clarify understanding

Interprets and responds to non-verbal messages

Uses words and non-verbal features to communicate messages

Numeracy

3.1, 3.2, 4.1

Performs calculations required to estimate time

Navigate the world of work

1.4, 4.4, 6.2

Identifies options to facilitate career advancement

Understands responsibilities associated with own role

Complies with legislative requirements

Interact with others

2.1-2.3, 2.5, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1

Uses interpersonal skills to lead and encourage others

Uses appropriate practices and protocols to communicate with a range of people

Acknowledges and respects different skills, opinions and perspectives

Get the work done

1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1-2.4, 3.1-3.6, 4.1-4.5, 6.3

Plans, organises and undertakes tasks to meet required outcomes

Analyses information to make decisions directly related to own role

Anticipates potential problems and uses analytical skills to formulate contingency plans

Evaluates outcomes to identify improvement opportunities


Sectors

Performing arts – music performance