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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Music in Music Performance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100871  Master of Music in Music Performance 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Music 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip students with advanced and in-depth technical and interpretative skills, knowledge and understanding of Music Performance, thereby producing competent, ethical and professional musicians who will meet the needs of South Africa to provide for music experts who can perform, educate and generate new knowledge within the community and world of work. Students are furthermore developed academically as performers, thereby equipping them with the appropriate knowledge and skills for admission to Doctor of Music (DMus) studies in Music Performance.

Rationale:
Music is a basic mode of human affection and cognition that is central to enculturation, social formation and the economy. The responsible management of this fundamental cultural and economic resource requires professionals with advanced training in a variety of musical fields like education, (ethno)musicology, music technology, African music, church music, theory and performance. With regards to the last mentioned, the Master's of Music MMus (performance) Degree meets a specific need in our country to enhance the general standard of music performance. The SASMT (South African Society for Music Teachers) maintains that music pedagogy and the performing artist are closely linked in the endeavour to promote music as a necessary curriculum of our education system and therefore also to the benefit of our economy. The qualifying learner will fill an important social role as performer where music is an integral element of recreation in society. Furthermore, as expert performer the qualifying learner can also fulfil a role as pedagogue, concert manager, music critic, music adjudicator, or music director. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL is applied according to institution's policy. The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The institution also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at this or another institution, or informally (obtained by experience), is an RPL indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning programme of the University. In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning programmes (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove.

Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification. Prospective students for a (Master of Music) MMus (Performance) degree are guided in submitting documentation showing they meet admission requirements. Their professional experience is taken into consideration as are any relevant qualifications. They may be required to submit previous research in support of their application.

In addition, a practical audition is required as well as a complete repertoire list of music literature, that has been studied prior to the application, must be submitted. During the audition, the performance skills must approximate to the Exit Level Outcomes of the Bachelor of Music BMus Degree with a performance major. The student may also be expected to prove his/her knowledge of research methodology and writing skills with a written assignment of at least thirty pages which should include a research proposal. On approval of the above, the student will be deemed to have sufficient academic and performance status in order to proceed to a Master's of Music MMus (Performance) Degree.

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Music. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.
  • Mini Dissertation, 90 Credits.
  • Concert Programme 1, 30 Credits.
  • Concert Programme 2, 30 Credits.
  • Concert Programme 3, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate comprehensive, in-depth and systematic knowledge in the field of music performance with regards to the underlying principles of technical work and aesthetic philosophies in the interpretation of advanced repertoire on the chosen instrument.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to regulate their practice on their chosen instrument personally and, under supervision, can evaluate their preparation and performance of a concert programme consisting of advanced and challenging repertoire, representing different genres, tempi, and musical styles.
    3. Demonstrate critical evaluation skills of existing knowledge concerning theories, research methods, techniques and technology.
    4. Obtain, critique and ethically analyse and interpret relevant information and conduct research in a specialized field under supervision.
    5. Communicate effectively on academic research through presentation in an appropriate style that suits the context and music literature through professional performance in concert. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Show and understanding of systematic and integrated knowledge and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as in technology.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Show professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.
  • Critically reflect on, and show understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Master of Music in Music Performance employs formative, summative and integrated assessments throughout the one year of study, in the form of written as well as practical assignments, class tests and examinations in all the modules included in the programme. The student skills at communicating orally and in written format, using appropriate Information Technology (IT), are also assessed, as well as her/his computer literacy. Assessment focuses particularly on a critical, creative and interpretative perspective of the various disciplines.

    Students are assessed on the basis of oral and written work (presentations and mini-dissertation) as well as performance (three concert programmes). They are required to make oral presentations to their peers and supervisors. These presentations take place internally and also at national professional forums. The final written report is assessed according to formal guidelines. This report carries a weight of 50%. Students are encouraged and assisted to publish their work in accredited journals. The three concert programmes carry a weight of 50% and are assessed during public concerts by experts in performance on the chosen instrument. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Level Descriptors for Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) Level 9 were used to design the qualification standard. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. The School of Music further aligns itself with international standards by means of exchange programmes with universities in Scandinavia (Norway and Finland) as well as in the United States of America (USA) (Youngstown University, Ohio). Staff members perform teaching and research duties, while students register for modules they are credited for at their home university. The Master's of Music MMus (Performance) Degree compares well with similar international qualifications. A significant number of the students that have graduated from this programme have been employed abroad, in both Europe and the USA. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor in Music (Performance). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. North West University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.