Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes skills and knowledge required to interpret a musical score in conjunction with a musical specialist to determine and deliver technical elements of live productions/events.

This unit does not cover skills associated with reading music but requires a broad understanding of notations on a score.

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

Application of the unit 

The role outlined in this unit applies to any stage management or technical personnel involved in delivering a live production/event. Scores may be followed to deliver any number of technical elements of a production/event. Training should be tailored to the specific context.

This unit has linkages to other technical units and stage management units and combined training and/or assessment with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

• CUESMT09B Plot and rehearse cues
• CUESMT08B Call the production/event.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Interpret the score

1.1. Read and correctly interpret the score  to identify technical requirements 

1.2. Confirm interpretation with the conductor and/or director and take appropriate direction on changes required

1.3. Make accurate notations on the score according to all information received

2. Prepare technical references from the score

2.1. Accurately prepare technical references  in accordance with the musical and literary text and in a format which meets organisational requirements

2.2. Accurately plot technical elements, including appropriate technical notations 

2.3. Clearly and accurately note any cues which relate to musical performance

2.4. Make necessary changes to ensure currency of documentation

2.5. Finalise documentation and incorporate with other relevant production documentation 

3. Use the score to deliver the production/event

3.1. Follow the score and/or technical reference and constantly monitor the musical activity

3.2. Take accurate and timely action to deliver technical elements in accordance with the score and technical reference

3.3. React to changed production/event circumstances and follow musical activity and direction from relevant personnel

3.4. File the score and any technical reference created from it for future use in accordance with organisational requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret production documentation

Required knowledge 

• broad understanding of musical score notations
• notations which can be used to map technical elements to create an accurate technical reference
• broad understanding of musical form and tempo
• broad understanding of musical performance, both vocal and instrumental
• broad understanding of musical elements of the production/event
• particular knowledge of the technical area of responsibility, e.g. staging, stage management, lighting, sound, audiovisual

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• correct interpretation of notations on a score
• correct interpretation of musical and technical requirements of the production/event
• ability to create an accurate and clear technical reference from a score
• close monitoring of the performance/production and ability to deliver the technical elements in conjunction with the musical performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• practical demonstration of skills through the creation and use of technical references from a score for at least two different productions, i.e. use during an actual performance
• interaction with and involvement of a production team
• development of a technical reference within commercially-realistic time constraints.
• Because this unit can cover a broad range of industry contexts, assessment should be tailored to address the particular technical area or job role.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess practical skills and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• evaluation of a performance for which the candidate is responsible for the technical references
• review of technical reference materials prepared by the candidate using a score
• project activity to allow the candidate to create and update a technical reference using a score
• written or oral questioning to test knowledge of musical and technical requirements of the production/event
• review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

• musical scores
• a production
• a production venue.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Scores  may be for:

• a ballet
• a musical
• an opera
• dance
• incidental music for a play

Scores  may be:

• full orchestral
• lighting cues
• piano/vocal

Technical requirements  may relate to:

• any element of a technical design
• any element of a technical plot
• audiovisual cues
• prompts
• sound cues
• stage management cues
• staging element cues

Technical reference  material may be:

• incorporated with prompt reference material, cue sheet, running sheet, production schedule, script
• notated production running schedule

Technical references  may include:

• map of major musical, dramatic and technical events
• notations for blocking of movement of performers and set elements
• production schedule
• prompt reference material
• running sheet
• stage management cue sheet
• technical cue sheets such as lighting, audiovisual, sound

Technical notation  may include:

• graphic notation
• notations for blocking movement of any technical or set elements
• plans for improvisation
• traditional notation

Other relevant production documents  with which the prompt reference may be incorporated may be:

• cue sheet
• production schedule
• running sheet
• script
• text

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - stage management

Co-requisite units