https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/MUS/295B/1215

MUS 295A/B : Popular Music Ensembles 2

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The development of performance skills through ensemble work in popular music.

Course Overview

Popular Music Ensembles offer students instruction in the project-based performance of songs in multiple genres and ensemble settings.
Any instrumentalists or vocalists are welcome to audition.
Through workshops, research and planning, transcription, chart arrangement, technology augmentation and performance staging, students learn how to rehearse and perform music as part of an ensemble by working with their tutors and one-another to develop performances of a broad range of popular repertoire.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Departmental approval To complete this course students must enrol in MUS 295 A and B, or MUS 295

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyse and research ensemble performance techniques within popular music (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Develop an understanding of music transcription, chart reading and the ability to adapt and extend existing and newly composed works. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  3. Critically evaluate rehearsals and performances of ensembles and review and respond to critique. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the individual performer's appropriate roles in an ensemble and to perform popular music utilising different ensemble configurations and varied repertoire. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  5. Develop an ability to collaborate in a group setting through the planning and designation of specific roles and tasks. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary music arrangement practices (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Performance 70% Group & Individual Coursework
2 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Performance
Coursework -Deadline dates for assignments are in canvas. 
No-penalty extensions are available only by prior arrangement and for good reason.
Assessment criteria for each assignment and performance will be discussed along with the assignment sheets.
No assignment or performance will be accepted after that assessment has been handed back to the class after marking. There is a 10% per day penalty for late work.
All coursework is Compulsory.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This class has a weekly lecture/workshop where all students are required to participate in collaborative performance and feedback discussions.
Ensemble make-up and repertoire are dependent on class enrolments and provide the framework for music arrangements.
Each student should expect to be involved in at least 2-3 songs each semester.

The process for each group for each song development is as follows.
1) Planning the song (transcribe/arrange/respond to teacher and group feedback). Reflect on the process through written journal notes.
2) Rehearse as a group and practice independently (further arrangement development including recording their parts independently in a DAW). Reflect on the process through video journal and written self-analysis
3) Workshop Rehearsal performance as a group - class critiqued- Reflect on the process through video journal and written self-analysis
Repeat steps 1-2-3 until final performance presentation.
4) Performance presentation. Class critiqued- Reflect on the process through video journal and written self-analysis

As well as music performances students are required to undertake a research project on specific songs each semester. These research assignments inform future group performances within the 195/295/395 stream.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 7.5 point course and students are expected to spend 5 hours per week involved in each 7.5 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures and workshops, 27 hours of group and individual practice and 12 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.

Lectures may be available as recordings. 

The course may include live online events including group discussions.

Attendance on campus is required for the tests.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Attendance in class, as well as engagement with course activities and readings, is vital to academic success. Owing to the nature of music teaching and learning, consistent attendance is essential at all lectures, tutorials and studio lessons. Students must make every e􏰁ort to attend class and complete all the necessary in-class requirements. All planned absences (such as overseas competitions, family events, masterclasses or work-related commitments) must be pre-approved by the Head of School. If approval is given, all Course Coordinators, Tutors and other teachers must be informed of your absence in advance. Unplanned absences relating to illness, bereavement, or other emergencies can only be excused with appropriate evidence from the University doctor, counsellor or another official source.
It is students’ personal responsibility to make up all work missed, as individual catch-up classes will not be available.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Access to Auralia and Musition training programmes can be gained on some University computers or a year’s subscription purchased from the University Bookshop. Details of these and other programmes will be discussed in lectures. The updated Auralia and Musition 5.0.16.43 will be installed in KMC Computer Lab, building 820, room 118, and CAI Computer Lab, Building 421, room 521.
Logic X software is also available to students in the KMC and Kate Edger computer labs.
Although it is not required to have an advanced knowledge of the program, it will be used in class examples and exercises.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/12/2020 01:11 p.m.