MUS 371 : Jazz Performance 6

Creative Arts and Industries

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Continuation of the work undertaken in MUS 370 along with ensemble performances. Students prepare for a 50-minute public recital of their original arrangements, compositions and improvisations.

Course Overview

The successful jazz musician requires a high degree of instrumental proficiency to engage at a professional level as the world of improvisational music offers a wide variety of challenging musical situations. This musical art form requires many key performance skills such as improvisation, interpretation, communication, technical ability, memorisation of repertoire, and professionalism. The course establishes foundational knowledge and technique so that the student can move towards the refinement of musical skills through the progression of further study.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 370

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Perform technically and artistically at a level consistent with instrumental syllabus for stage three assessment. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Develop stylistic awareness and relate this to the course repertoire. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  3. Demonstrate the use of practical techniques such as chord substitutions, anticipation, imposing a dominant and advanced chord-scale relationships. (Capability 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Analyse transcribe and perform recorded solo examples appropriate for third year of university study. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  5. Demonstrate use of techniques such as melodic and rhythmic development, motive development, and melodic embellishment in solo construction. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  6. Engage critically and be able to contribute to the ensemble setting in a collegial and supportive way. (Capability 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Improvisation Assessments 40% Individual Coursework
Recital 50% Individual Test
Recital Proposal Individual Coursework
Recital Program Notes 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Improvisation Assessments
Recital
Recital Proposal
Recital Program Notes
Students must gain at least 50% on all assessments (technical assessment, repertoire assessment, and improvisation assessment) and their final overall mark to pass this course. Assignments are to be completed/submitted, according to submission type specifed on Canvas, by the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Owing to the nature of music teaching and learning, consistent attendance is essential at all lectures, tutorials and studio lessons. All planned prolonged absences (such as overseas competitions, family events, masterclasses) 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. It is students’ personal responsibility to make up all work missed. Catch-up classes in studio lessons may not be available.

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, such as illness, bereavement, or other emergencies, please complete an application for extension form at the following link:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/te-whare-o-ng_-pkrero-poro---school-of-music-undergraduate-exten.html.

Teaching & Learning Methods

-1:1 lessons: 1 hour/week
-Improvisation classes (modules): 2 hours / week

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

-Performance Lessons: 12 hours

-Improvisation Lectures/Tutorials: 24 hours

-Performance Practise and Study: 60 hours

-Improvisation Practise and Study: 48 hours

-Performance Assessment: 1 hour

Total = 150 hours

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials/studios to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will not be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/studios will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

Required text: Mark Levine, The Jazz Theory Book. SHER MUSIC CO.
 
Recommended reading: 
-Victor Wooten, The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music. Berkley Books, New York.
-Mike Steinel “Jazz Improvisation”
-Keith Johnstone, IMPRO: Improvisation and the Theatre. Routledge, New York. 
 
Resources: SoM Library, Google Scholar, YouTube, Spotify and similar listening resources; handouts uploaded to Canvas.

Recommended software: iRealB, EarMaster7, SlowGold or similar, Sibelius, Aurelia, Logic or Pro Tools.

Health & Safety

Should students be having issues coping, feeling excessively stressed or mentally unwell, the following resources are available:
Student Learning Centre: 09 3737599 Ext 88850
University Health and Counselling Service (USCS). 09 9237681
Student Disability Service:09 3737599 Ext 82936

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.

The improvisation module has been extended to twelve weeks to allow for more formative assessment before the recital.

Other Information

Complete attendance of all lessons and classes is essential for successful completion of this course.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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.

Learning Continuity

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 18/02/2025 10:13 a.m.