MUS 770 : Jazz Performance Research

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (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 4 components: Recital 70%, Recital Program Notes 10%, Performance Research Journal 10%, and Jazz Forum Workshop Contribution 10%.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 371

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Music

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 (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate accurate note reading and interpretive skills during performance (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of a performer in various ensembles and demonstrate these key skills through musical performance (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Perform technically and artistically at a level consistent with the requirements for a stage four assessment (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Engage confidently with artistic integrity in relevant practical situations (Capability 1.2, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  6. Demonstrate the capacity to engage with the ensemble and communicate clear musical intention (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  7. Develop and demonstrate a cohesive jazz repertoire and sound stylistic knowledge (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Practice Research Journal 10% Individual Coursework
Recital 70% Individual Coursework
Jazz Forum Workshops 10% Individual Coursework
Recital Program Notes 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Practice Research Journal
Recital
Jazz Forum Workshops
Recital Program Notes
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, if available, 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

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 1:1 lessons (18 hours), a 2 hour Jazz Forum Workshop (24 hours),  14 hours of work on performance research journal, and 243 hours for recital preparation and recital notes.

Delivery Mode

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.

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.

N/A

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 07/11/2023 12:37 p.m.