MUS 375 : Jazz Composition and Arranging 2

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Composition and arranging in the jazz idiom exploring small ensemble and big band contexts. Scoring, voicing concepts and sectional writing that assist students in the development of a portfolio of work.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to provide the Jazz student with basic fundamental skills in arranging for large ensemble (Big Band), and to further explore contemporary compositional and arranging techniques. The successful graduate will have the ability to orchestrate music for small to large ensembles and will have a good practical understanding of jazz composition.   

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 275

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Compose arrange and score for small to large jazz ensemble. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Write music for different genres of jazz music from traditional to current, including putting text to jazz setting. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Create, and develop musical ideas into workable compositions and arrangements. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 5)
  4. Transcribe and analyse compositions, identify compositional devices used and apply in your own composition. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 week 6 50% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 week 9 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 week 12 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment 1 week 6
Assignment 2 week 9
Assignment 3 week 12
 Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before 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.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course is has 2 x 1.5 hour lectures per week. During the lectures relevant techniques and devices are explained in depth, accompanied by essential critique of student work. It is essential that students attend lectures. Canvas is used to post support resources relevant to lecture content.

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.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 36 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 78  hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including classes and tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including  practical classes and studios  will not be available as recordings.

The course may include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for tests and exams.

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


Learning Resources

Required Text
Pullig, Ken and Dick Lowell. Arranging for Large Ensemble. Berklee: Berklee Press, 2003.
Supplementary Reading
Pease, Ted and Ken Pullig. Modern Jazz Voicings. Berklee: Berklee Press, 2001. 
Goldstein, Gil. Jazz Composers Companion. New York: Music Sales Corp, 1982.
Nestico, Sammy. The Complete Arranger. Delevan, N.Y: Fenwood Music Co. 1993
Levine, Mark. The Jazz Theory Book. Petaluma: Sher Music Co, 1996.
Pease, Ted. Jazz Composition – Theory and Practice. Berklee: Berklee Press. 2003.



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.

Other Information

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before 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.

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.

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 11/12/2020 04:21 p.m.