MUSPMACT 3111 - Popular Music Ensemble 3A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Building on rehearsal, performance and improvisation techniques developed through Popular Music Ensemble 1 & 2, this course develops advanced strategies for the preparation and performance of live original music. Comprising of two practical workshops, Workshop 1 provides conceptual frameworks and practical skills in improvisation in order to expand student's spontaneity and creativity. Workshop 2 sees students work in small groups to prepare their own original work for live performance. A key focus of this workshop is promoting student autonomy when organising their ensembles, and encouraging students to engage with the local music industry through off-campus performances and concert reviews.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSPMACT 3111
    Course Popular Music Ensemble 3A
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites MUSPMACT 2111, MUSPMACT 2112
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Music students only
    Course Description Building on rehearsal, performance and improvisation techniques developed through Popular Music Ensemble 1 & 2, this course develops advanced strategies for the preparation and performance of live original music. Comprising of two practical workshops, Workshop 1 provides conceptual frameworks and practical skills in improvisation in order to expand student's spontaneity and creativity. Workshop 2 sees students work in small groups to prepare their own original work for live performance. A key focus of this workshop is promoting student autonomy when organising their ensembles, and encouraging students to engage with the local music industry through off-campus performances and concert reviews.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Luke Harrald

    Staff:

    Prof. Mark Carroll
    Phone: 83134414
    Email: mark.carroll@adelaide.edu.au
    Office: Schulz 9.15

    Derek Pascoe
    Email: derek.pascoe@adelaide.edu.au
    Office: Schulz 4.02
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will develop:

    1) the ability to interpret and perform the compositions of others;
    2) skills in improvisation;
    3) advanced understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and activities involved in live contemporary music performance; &
    4) skills and knowledge needed to perform in, engage in, and network with the local music industry.
    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, 2, 4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2, 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 2, 3, 4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 3
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    • Class handouts and materials placed on MyUni.
    • Each week students will be required to bring their instruments, or other technology they require to realise their group work.
    Recommended Resources
    Readings
    Stevens, J. (1985) Search & Reflect. Community Music Ltd, London.

    Cardew, C. ed. (1974) Scratch Music. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Crook, H. (2002) How to Improvise. Advance Music, Rottenburg.

    Bailey, D. (1980) Musical Improvisation: its nature and practice in music. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

    Bergonzi, J. (1992) Vol. 1 Melodic Structures. Advance Music, Rottenburg.

    Library
    The Music Library located in the Hartley building is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/branch/eml/ 

    Music Resources Guide
    The Music Resources Guide contains quick links to key music databases for scholarly research and online listening. It also contains links to websites of publicly available online scores, collected editions, and professional associations. Here too you can find a regularly updated list of new books, scores, CDs and DVDs available in the Elder Music Library: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music
    Online Learning
    This Course Profile, along with learning materials and assessment will be placed on MyUni – refer to http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course structure and content is delivered through a range of classes and materials. Class delivery modes are practical workshops and off campus performances, incorporating an improvisation and ensemble class. The classes in this course use a format where students are presented with theoretical and/ or practical content during each workshop. The theoretical content creates a topic framework that students will expand through practical application. Students will also be expected to further expand the topics presented through using out-of-class resources, and by rehearsing in their own time. These activities will compliment, reinforce and extend the concepts and practical skills explored in class.
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    This course is split between activities that foster creativity through improvisation and that mentor students in small groups in preparation for performing their work live. Utilising a “just in time” teaching model, tutors will remain responsive to student needs as they arise and to developments in the local music industry.

    Students will undertake public performances through the semester.

    Students will also attend and critique performances of their own choice out in the local music industry in order to encourage student autonomy and engagement with the local industry.
    Specific Course Requirements
    This course will involve public performances. Previous venues have included The Promethean, Jive and The Wheatsheaf.

    Access and use of EMU is based upon the following:

    Users must complete and pass the EMU Guide Assessment (EGA). In order to pass the EGA users must receive a 90% or above grade. Users will have a maximum of 3 attempts at passing the EGA before being prohibited from taking the assessment further. If a user fails to pass the EGA after 3 attempts, or doesn’t pass by the end of week 4 of the course, they will not be permitted to continue the course and won’t be provided access or permission to use any of the EMU facilities.
  • 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
    Summative Assessment Summary
    Mid-Semester Performance 25% (objectives 1, 2, 3, 4), Due week 6
    End of Semester Performance 30% (objectives 1, 2, 3, 4), Due week 12
    Improvisation Skills Proficiency Exam 25% (objectives 1, 2), Due week 14
    Concert Attendance & Critiquing 20% (objective 4), Due week 13

    Formative Assessment: Workshops will contain embedded formative assessment tasks through weekly exercises that will enable students to engage with the practical and theoretical concepts presented in order to complete their summative assessments.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    As per Conservatorium policy, active and positive participation in 100% of classes is expected, any student who attends less than 100% of required classes without approved leave may result in a 5 (five) mark penalty for each unapproved absence. The penalties will be applied to the final total percentage mark for the year for the relevant component i.e. after all other assessments have been completed and calculated. Arrival after the scheduled starting time or departure before the scheduled finishing time may, at the lecturer or Co-ordinator’s discretion, be regarded as an unapproved absence.
    Assessment Detail
    Performances (55% overall – split 25% mid-semester / 30% end of semester)
    Students will be assessed on their contribution and participation in preparation for and delivery of public recitals of their work during weeks 6 and 12. Central to this assessment is the role they play in the delivery of their work and that of other students, and the quality of their performance in each recital.

    Improvisation Skills Proficiency Exam (25%)
    Students will be assessed practically on skills they have learned through the workshop via solo and small group improvisations.

    Concert Attendance & Critiquing (20%)
    Students will attend two performances of their choosing out in local industry and write short 300 – 350 word critiques of each performance in order to encourage them to engage with the local industry and to think more critically about live performance, and how they might improve their own performances. Students will be encouraged to attend a variety of performances.
    Submission
    As required, assignments will be submitted digitally through the Assignments section of MyUni. Feedback on the assessments will be also be sent to students through the MyUni system.
    Course Grading

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

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    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.

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