MUS 772 : Jazz Composition and Arranging I

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Jazz arranging and composition for mixed ensembles. Through the analysis and study of advanced compositional and orchestration techniques, students produce original research material for recorded portfolio. Students are encouraged to perform with a 'mentor' from the jazz faculty in the development of a creative process and individual style.

Course Overview

Students work with two different teachers throughout the semester in creating a portfolio of four compositions reflecting advanced composition techniques.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 375

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: Master of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate advanced compositional techniques, taught in-class. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate musical analysis skills. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Demonstrate literacy in written notation, chart layout in publishable quality (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Be able to compose and arrange for a variety of instruments. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Develop your own compositional style. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Recorded Composition Portfolio A (first 6 weeks) 50% Individual Coursework
Recorded composition portfolio B (second 6 weeks) 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Recorded Composition Portfolio A (first 6 weeks)
Recorded composition portfolio B (second 6 weeks)
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. 

Teaching & Learning Methods

  1. Analysis of music examples
  2. Two hour lecture  per week of advanced arranging techniques such as "linear writing".
  3. Live performance / workshopping of draft compositions
  4. On the spot composing
  5. On the spot editing

Workload Expectations

24 hours in-class sessions (2 hours/week).

126 hours independent work/study/analysis/composition/arranging of original works.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials/clinics to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures/tutorials/clinics will not be available as recordings. 
The course will not include live online events.
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 23/11/2023 09:36 a.m.