MUSIC 1107 - Indigenous Song Writing & Performance A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

This course introduces students to the creative, technical and professional skills used by composers in Indigenous popular music contexts with a focus on the creation and presentation of new original music. Seminars introduce composition and song writing techniques including creative ideation; the musical materials of rhythm, pitch, melody, chords progressions and song structures; and approaches to Indigenous song writing and performance. Stylistic idioms used in Indigenous contemporary popular music styles are contextualised in relation to established song writing forms. Students will work in groups to develop ensemble, performance and arranging skills; build repertoire choices; and apply musical literacy skills across a range of performance contexts.

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Course Details

Course Code	MUSIC 1107
Course	Indigenous Song Writing & Performance A
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
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	MUSPMACT 1201
Restrictions	Available to Diploma in Music students only
Assessment	Journal 40%, Portfolio 30%, Recital 30%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Grayson Rotumah

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Effectively demonstrate fundamental performance and ensemble skills
2. Demonstrate skills and behaviours that enable successful team and group work
3. Demonstrate composition and arrangement skills
4. Integrate theoretical concepts and musical literacy skills with performance practice as appropriate
5. Develop and apply skills and behaviours that enable effective learning
6. Critically evaluate performances, and communicate instructions and technical requirements to others
7. Develop skills in the performance and production of contemporary Indigenous music

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1-5
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	5
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1, 2, 5, 6
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	Intercultural and ethical competency 7
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	2, 6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Rehearsal room, computer with on-line access, data projector, and audio system provided in class.

Recommended Resources

University of Adelaide library website, on-line music resources guide, library referencing guides and writing centre learning guides.

Online Learning

Learning materials and assessment will be placed on MyUni. Usage of MyUni will include announcements, digital readings, external web-links and recordings of classes. Student performances will enable students to critically reflect on their experiences in class.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course structure and content is delivered through a range of classes and materials. Class delivery modes include a weekly song writing seminar and performance workshop. The classes in this course use a format in which students are presented with theoretical and practical seminar content. Theoretical content creates a topic framework that students then expand theoretically through discussions and exercises during the seminar, and practically through performing in the workshop. Students will also be expected to further expand the topics presented using out-of-class resources that are presented online, and rehearsing in their own time. The online resources will compliment, reinforce and extend the concepts presented. These classes provide theoretical explanations of composition and song writing techniques; discussion of their creative and technical application to various styles and genres; and practical creative application through students preparing their work for performance.

Workload

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

WORKLOAD – STRUCTURED LEARNING	TOTAL HOURS
1 x 1-hour song writing seminar per week	10 hours per semester
2 x 2-hour performance workshop per week	20 hours per semester
0.6 hours structured learning activities per week	6 hours per semester
WORKLOAD – SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
6 hours practice per week	72 hours per semester
2 hours notation workbook preparation per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
	TOTAL = 156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

WEEK	LECTURE TOPIC
1	Introduction to song writing and the creative process
2	Song forms
3	Lyric writing: rhyme and rhyming structures
4	Melodic Writing: phrasing, melodic motion and contours, hooks
5	Creative portfolio creation and considerations for writing to briefs
6	Rhythm: subdivisions in relation to musical styles
7	Studio techniques development
8	Arranging: introduction to arranging for small ensembles
9	Lyric writing: metaphors, similes and symbolism
10	Harmony: minor keys, chord colours and secondary dominants

Specific Course Requirements

This course will involve using the resources of the CASM and EMU studios. This includes facilities such as studios, recording spaces and digital audio workstations. For more information about these facilities and how to make bookings go to the EMU website: http://www.emu.adelaide.edu.au/. 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 three attempts at passing the EGA before being prohibited from taking the assessment further. If a user fails to pass the EGA after three 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. Users agree to and sign the EMU User Agreement (EUA). Users found in breach of the EUA will automatically have their access and booking privileges suspended. An initial breach will result in a four-week suspension. Any subsequent breach will result in suspension until the start of the next academic year. Information is available on the EMU website: https://www.emu.adelaide.edu.au/intranet/emu_guide/.

Rehearsal Spaces: this course will also require that students rehearse both individually and as a part of their group. For individual practice, students may book and use any of the rehearsal rooms contained within the Conservatorium with a limit of two hours per day for any individual space as per the Conservatorium’s Rehearsal guidelines. For more specific group work, rehearsal space with a backline (Drumkit, Guitar and Bass Amplifiers and an electric piano) and PA system has been provided in Schulz B14. Bookings of this space may be made through the EMU online booking system: http://c07d705ldd6k.ad.adelaide.edu.au/bookings/index.php. A dB meter is installed in this space. If you exceed the set dB limit for the space, the lights will flash. Levels should not exceed the 88dB limit, which is considered the safe working limit for venues around Australia. Students found exceeding these levels will have their booking privileges revoked for two weeks, and repeat offenders may have their booking privileges revoked for the remainder of the academic year. All spaces must be left in a neat and tidy state ready for the next user when you finish rehearsing.

Small Group Discovery Experience

Through this course, students will compose original creative work. In small groups, students will prepare their original compositions for live performance. Through this process, students will learn collaborative and research skills, enhance and further develop their creative process, and disseminate their new work publicly through live performance. Students will meet with mentors between Weeks 7–12 in small groups of around five. Groups rehearse simultaneously in individual rehearsal spaces.

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

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

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Journal	Formative and Summative	40%	2, 4, 5, 6
Portfolio	Summative	30%	1, 2, 3
Recital	Summative	30%	1, 2, 4, 5, 6

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 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 Coordinator’s discretion, be regarded as an unapproved absence.

Leave: the Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases leave may, upon application using the leave form (available online, or from the Music Office), be approved by the relevant staff member.

Assessment Detail

Journal: Students will complete a weekly journal reflecting on their experiences applying the techniques presented in class to their song writing, composing and performing. The journal will include a critical reflection on students’ song writing, composing of approximately 100–150 words per week, which is informed by readings from the reading list and musical examples listened to in classes. A log of rehearsals will be also be required as part of this assessment. The journal gives context to each student’s creative practice. 40% weighting

Portfolio: The Portfolio represents the major practical assessment for the semester and will involve the creation of a minimum of three songs. All creative works will be required to be recorded for submission, either through groups assigned in the workshop, or alternatively students may organise their own groups. 30% weighting

Recital: Students will be assessed on their contribution to the preparation and delivery of a public recital of their work, held during the examination period. Central to this assessment is the role they play in the delivery of both their work, and that of other students, and their level of performance in the Recital. 30% weighting

Submission

Student journals and portfolios are to be submitted to the Coordinator for assessment. The Coordinator will schedule and notify students of their Recital assessment.

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator