MUSJAZZ 1100A - Small Jazz Ensemble 1 Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Small Jazz Ensemble studies the roles of band leader, soloist, sideman, rhythm section player in rehearsal, recording band and concert stage environments. Topics include: repertoire - analysis of tune structure; playing in different tempi & keys; arrangements; leader roles; ensemble communication; solo and accompaniment roles; group awareness, active listening and response; levels of density; balance; group phrasing; matching time and feel; changing feel; playing in different styles; colla voce; solo structure; solo intensification; soloing within constraints; playing in different combinations; trading 4's & 8's; stop choruses and solo breaks; playing in context, maintaining mood; recovering from mistakes; group dynamics (personal); tuning; individual sound; relaxation; playing with confidence; energy; dynamics; articulation and colour.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSJAZZ 1100A
    Course Small Jazz Ensemble 1 Part 1
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 1.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Corequisites MUSJAZZ 1001
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Music students only
    Course Description Small Jazz Ensemble studies the roles of band leader, soloist, sideman, rhythm section player in rehearsal, recording band and concert stage environments. Topics include: repertoire - analysis of tune structure; playing in different tempi & keys; arrangements; leader roles; ensemble communication; solo and accompaniment roles; group awareness, active listening and response; levels of density; balance; group phrasing; matching time and feel; changing feel; playing in different styles; colla voce; solo structure; solo intensification; soloing within constraints; playing in different combinations; trading 4's & 8's; stop choruses and solo breaks; playing in context, maintaining mood; recovering from mistakes; group dynamics (personal); tuning; individual sound; relaxation; playing with confidence; energy; dynamics; articulation and colour.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Bruce Hancock

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Develop music ensemble skills that display accuracy, fluency, advanced technical skills and a mature expressive sense along with a strong conceptual and interpretative understanding of the chosen and prescribed works
    2. Develop effective ensemble practising strategies which arise from independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving including the use of contemporary technologies
    3. Develop critical understanding of own and others’ musical performances in relation to the standards required for professional endeavour.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Small Jazz Ensemble provides the jazz performance student with supervised rehearsals (up to 1.5 hrs/week) and unsupervised rehearsals (at least 2 hrs/week) to apply materials and repertoire studied in the supporting jazz classes, particularly theory/aural, improvisation/rhythm and the 1:1 lessons. 

     

    Small Jazz Ensemble: studies the roles of band leader, soloist, sideman, rhythm section player in rehearsal, recording band and concert stage environments.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

     

    ·         3  contact hours per week for scheduled rehearsals

    ·         1 to 2 hours per week for unscheduled rehearsals, Forum Prep, sectionals, etc

    Learning Activities Summary

    Students will continue developing Small Jazz Ensemble skills on their chosen instrument.  In particular they will develop further skills in ensemble performance of Standards, Bebop, Modal, Ballad and Contemporary jazz repertoire.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    ASSESSMENT (Summative) Learning Objective/s Addressed
    Semester 1  
    Assessment breakdown Ongoing Assessment 25% 1, 2, 3
    30 min examination during last teaching week of semester. 25% 1
    Semester 2  
    Assessment breakdown Ongoing Assessment 25%   1, 2, 3
    30 min examination during last teaching week of semester. 25% 1
    Assessment Related Requirements

    In this course, penalties apply for any absences which are not formally approved, as outlined in the Conservatorium’s Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines (see following). Leave Application forms are available from the Music Office and can be downloaded from the Music website – see http://music.adelaide.edu.au/study/current/leave.pdf.

    Assessment Detail

    (Refer to Sect 5.1 for breakdown of marks)

     

    Ongoing Assessment: Marks will be awarded by the appointed Small Ensemble lecturer on the basis of students’ preparation, leadership, accompaniment and musicianship during the regular rehearsals each week.

     

    End of Semester Examination: An examination (30 minutes) will be conducted at the end of each semester for the ensemble, comprising both ensemble selected tunes and examiner selected tunes from the current Tunes List.  Sheet music or charts are NOT to be used for these examinations.

    Submission

    Students must be available during the identified University examination periods. Students are not entitled to sit an examination at another time, nor are they entitled to any other concessions if an examination conflicts with a planned vacation or special event.

    Students can collect copies of Examiners’ reports and teachers’ reports from the Music Office once the Examination Board Meeting has occurred at the end of each semester.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.