MUS 770 : Jazz Performance Research

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Practical research in instrumental technique leading to the development of advanced improvisational skills. Students prepare a recital reflecting the technical work undertaken in the semester. Students engage with practice through ensemble and 1:1 instruction.

Course Overview

This course aims to help students gain skills related to advanced jazz performance practice. Students at honours level are expected to display independent learning skills and reflect on their ongoing development during the course of their study. A high level of performance is expected at recital and other assessments. Students should be able to demonstrate a strong grasp of the genre, with evidence of creative ability, originality and critical thinking.  

This course has 3 components: Recital 65%, Ensemble 20%, Performance Research Folio 15%

Recital 60%
A 50-60 minute performance recital assessment at the end of semester. This public recital will consist of material that must be approved by the principal instrument supervisor.

Recital notes 5% Detailed recital notes and scores are required for the panel and must be review by the supervisor prior to examination. These notes must include details about the programme which indicate the nature of performance research, preparation and concepts which have influenced the material chosen for examination. The student will outline key aspects of the performance are important from the perspective of the performer. These are likely to be harmonic, rhythmic and melodic qualities that have been ongoing subjects for development of the performance.

Ensemble 20%
Students will take ensemble and participate in rehearsals and all assessed performances.

Performance Research Folio 15%
This folio component will include a variety of strategic materials in support of creative practice, designed by the student in consultation with the supervisor. This graded component will be submitted prior to the performance assessment (recital).

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 371 or JAZZ 302

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
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Contribute musically in ensemble rehearsal and performance demonstrating strong teamwork and self-management skills
  2. Demonstrate accurate note reading and interpretive skills during performance (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of a performer in various ensembles and demonstrate these key skills through musical performance
  4. Perform technically and artistically at a level consistent with the requirements for a stage four assessment
  5. Engage confidently with artistic integrity in relevant practical situations
  6. Demonstrate the capacity to engage with the ensemble and communicate clear musical intention
  7. Develop and demonstrate a cohesive jazz repertoire and sound stylistic knowledge

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Portfolio 15% Individual Coursework
Ensemble 20% Individual Coursework
Recital notes 5% Individual Coursework
Recital 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Portfolio
Ensemble
Recital notes
Recital

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 penalised 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

The assessment panel evaluates student achievement, based on the approved School of Music criteria for assessment, while considering descriptors of student attainment. Comments on students’ performance will be made available to the student after the assessment.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Students will study various musical examples enabling them to gain stronger insight and awareness into advanced music making. The studio based teaching method deals with the individual needs of the student’s learning pathway in helping them prepare for a career in music. Students are responsible to journal each lesson and reflect on the details of each session. The journal then becomes an effective guide to the performance outcomes realised in the recital. 

Mode of Delivery :
• Instrumental instruction by a specialist instructor
• Rehearsal towards specific performance outcome(s)
• Style analysis
• Musical technical exercises
• Interpretation of notated music examples
• Improvisation
• Studio 1:1 teaching
• Ensemble instruction
• Guest lecturers/Jazz forum

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in. 15 weeks@20 hrs per week = 300hrs

For this course, you can expect 1.5 hours of lectures, a 2 hours ensemble, roughly 60 hours of work on ensemble, 60 hours of work on performance research folio, and 180 hours for recital preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials/studios/clinics to complete components of the course.
Learning activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam performances.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online
Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including tutorials/studios/clinics to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials and these will be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

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 03/12/2020 02:06 p.m.