MUS 397A/B : Jazz Ensembles 3

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The application of instrumental and improvisational techniques through performance practice. This course develops stylistic, interpretative and literary musical skills through a variety of large and small ensembles.

Course Overview

A jazz musician entering the professional field of performance, requires a high level of musical literacy in conjunction with interpretive skills in order to succeed. These group based rehearsals and performances will promote musicianship centred on improvisational abilities, integrity of the group and the individual performer, interaction and sound within an ensemble and overall presentation.
Participation in ensembles will address the development of ensemble playing through a variety of performance opportunities. Students learn principles of interaction between the various instruments in conjunction with developing strong musical literacy and interpretation skills. Students will take an active role in preparing for a public performance with an expectation to contribute to the process of musical preparation by learning their assigned parts and developing musical competency. The objective is to become a proficient musician with transferable industry based skills.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 297 To complete this course students must enrol first in MUS 397A and then 397B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
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. Demonstrate musical knowledge by contributing to ensemble rehearsal and performance. Achieve this by demonstrating strong teamwork, self-management and artist integrity. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate Interpretive and improvisational skill acquisition through performance practice. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Demonstrate the capacity to engage an ensemble with clear communication of the musical idea or intention. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Be able to perform consistently at stage three level. Please refer to MUS 370, MUS 371 as a recommended c0requisite. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Mid Semester Performance S1 15% Individual Coursework
End Semester Performance S1 15% Individual Coursework
Rehearsal Contribution S1 20% Individual Coursework
Mid Semester Performance S2 15% Individual Coursework
End Semester Performance S2 15% Individual Coursework
Rehearsal Contribution S2 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Mid Semester Performance S1
End Semester Performance S1
Rehearsal Contribution S1
Mid Semester Performance S2
End Semester Performance S2
Rehearsal Contribution S2
PLEASE NOTE: Owing to its practical nature, attendance at instructed and uninstructed rehearsals/tutorials is classed as compulsory coursework, and will be reflected in each student’s contribution grade (20% per semester). If a student is absent, they are personally required to organise a suitable replacement. If a student misses more than TWO rehearsals without explanation, they might not be eligible to participate in performances or assessments (worth 10% each) at the discretion of the instructor and/or course director.

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. Students must make themselves available for all performance dates. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment/performance, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalised 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students. 

Teaching & Learning Methods

Formative Learning
Students are assigned relevant music to learn and prepare for rehearsals, mid-semester and end of term concerts. Feedback on learning is delivered through the rehearsal process, with individual and group critique offered by the instructor.
Other forms of learning include memorisation and rote learning where music is delivered in the aural tradition of the jazz. Students may be expected to commit the details of the musical arrangements to memory.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 7.5 point course per semester and students are expected to spend approximately 6 hours per week involved in each 7.5 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, per semester you can expect 20 hours of instructed rehearsal, 24 hours of workshops, a 10 hours of uninstructed rehearsals or sectionals, 19 hours of listening and of personal practice and 2 hours of performance assessment. Total = 75hrs

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials/studios to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures and tutorials will not be available as recordings. 
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test.
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.

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.

Due to student feedback, we have included contribution to workshops where students will develop shared jazz repertoire and language.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

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

In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 17/07/2024 09:54 a.m.