MUSPOP 1003 - Contemporary Musicianship 1A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

Contemporary Musicianship 1A introduces notational, theoretical and aural skills with an emphasis on contemporary popular music. Theoretical skills developed include the recognition of clefs and key signatures, intervals, chords and tonal harmony, simple and compound rhythms, melodic structures and voice leading. Students will examine the principles of theory and progress through the study of the development of tonal and non-tonal theory in Western music. Students learn the theoretical aspects of music making while developing the key skills in music literacy and harmonic analysis that are integral to contemporary music practice. Students will also develop aural skills and sight singing ability, that is centred on honing secure listening and reading skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSPOP 1003
    Course Contemporary Musicianship 1A
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge Basic music literacy. Students not enrolled in a BMus/DipMus program must have some previous musical experience
    Restrictions Available to BMus, BCtveArts, DipMus students only
    Course Description Contemporary Musicianship 1A introduces notational, theoretical and aural skills with an emphasis on contemporary popular music. Theoretical skills developed include the recognition of clefs and key signatures, intervals, chords and tonal harmony, simple and compound rhythms, melodic structures and voice leading. Students will examine the principles of theory and progress through the study of the development of tonal and non-tonal theory in Western music. Students learn the theoretical aspects of music making while developing the key skills in music literacy and harmonic analysis that are integral to contemporary music practice. Students will also develop aural skills and sight singing ability, that is centred on honing secure listening and reading skills.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Luke Harrald

    Lecturer

    Luke Harrald
    email: luke.harrald@adelaide.edu.au


    Tutors

    Grayson Rotumah (pop students)
    email: grayson.rotumah@adelaide.edu.au


    Jesse Budel (music theatre students)
    email: jesse.budel@adelaide.edu.au

    Chauralation Conductor

    Carl Crossin
    email: carl.crossin@adelaide.edu.au

    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 be able to:

    1.   Demonstrate fluency in musical literacy and understanding of musical concepts;
    2.   Develop aural skills and inner hearing through choral singing;
    3.   Recognise musical techniques and develop awareness of musical aesthetics through transcription, analysis and critical listening to a  
          wide range of music; &
    4.   Gain familiarity with effective means of researching music materials using the Barr Smith Library and related online resources.
    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, 2, 3, 4
    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, 4
    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
    2
    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, 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook:

    Turek, Ralph and Daniel McCarthy. 2014. Theory for Today’s Musician, second ed. London: Routledge / Taylor and Francis.

    This is available for purchase at Co-op books, in the Student Hub. It is also available from Barr Smith Library in both hard copy format, and as an eBook (accessible online with your student i.d. and password).
    Recommended Resources
    Additional textbooks you might find useful:

    Bryce, E. (1997) Harmony: a new bridge from traditional to jazz-related harmonic concepts. Noble House Publishing, Oakbank.

    Cooper, G. & Meyer, L. (1963) The Rhythmic Structure of Music. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Dorrite, F. & Jones, S. (2000) Essentials of Music for Audio Professionals. Mix Pro Audio Series, Mix Books, North Hollywood.

    Fitzgerald, J. (2003) Popular Music Theory and Musicianship. Hazelmount Publishing, Fortitude Valley.

    Sturman, P. (2005) Harmony, Melody & Composition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
    Online Learning
    In addition to the materials and interactives available via MyUni, all students are strongly encouraged to make use of the excellent online resources available through the Conservatorium’s subscription to “e-learning resources”.

    In addition to comprehensive information that is clearly presented, there are numerous practice questions for aural and theoretical questions, as well as a wide range of other support information. Students who are deficient in certain areas presumed knowledge/skills will be directed to work through relevant portions of the e-learning site in order to bring their knowledge/skill up to the required level.

    Some tutors may also utilise the e-learning resources as a basis for specific tutorial assignments or exercises.

    The e-learning resources website is located at: e-lr.com.au

    Access the site using the following username and password:
    User Name:  student.elder.sa
    Password:    stave
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will explore a range of topics and will be supported by tutorials where concepts are applied through practical application and aural training, and by workshops that involve choral singing and critical listening activities. Students' ability to efficiently find music materials at the Elder Music Library will be supported by a brief talk during the first lecture, as well as readings and self-paced tasks available via MyUni.
    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.

    In addition to the 4 contact hours per week, it is anticipated that students would spend 6-8 hours per week in reviewing lecture notes, preparing for tutorials, listening to repertoire, preparing for tests and exams, undertaking suggested listening, reading, or viewing, and practising musicianship skills.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Weekly Lecture Topics

    Week 1: What is Music? Library skills introduction and what are viable sources of information?
    Week 2: Pitch Basics - The staff, Clefs and Introduction to Acoustics and Timbre
    Week 3: Rhythmic Notation - Time Signatures, Beat Divisions and the Duality of Rhythm and Pitch
    Week 4: Introduction to Diatonic Chords and Harmonic Function
    Week 5: Perception vs Measurement and Tuning
    Week 6: Introduction to Modes
    Week 7: Diatonic Harmony and 7th Chords; introduction to Roman numerals
    Week 8: Introduction to Form, considering hierarchical relationships in music
    Week 9: Musical Form (Part 2)
    Week 10: Secondary Dominants (or secondary function chords) - adding interest to common chord progressions
    Week 11: Class 11: Non-Diatonic Chords, an introduction to the 12-Bar Blues
    Week 12: Revision


    Specific Course Requirements
    Where tutorials are held in the computer lab, students will need to ensure they bring their own headphones and data storage to use as needed.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • 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 TASK DESCRIPTION / DATES WEIGHTING
    Ongoing Assessment Due fortnightly, at the beginning of the tutorial from week 3 20%
    Transcription Assignment Due week 7 15%
    Aural Tests Weighted at 10% each, due in weeks 6 and 12, and will be conducted in the tutorial 20%
    Chauralation Workshop Assessment/s 1)Sight Singing / Aural Musicianshop Test, due date TBA (weighting 17.5%)
    2) Choral Concert Participation, due date TBA (weighting 7.5%)
    25%
    Theory Exam Due during the examination period, date TBA 20%

    Due to the current COVID-19 situation, modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.
    1. All assessments will be now conducted through MyUni, including end of semester examination.
    2. Transcription assignment remains unchanged.
    3. ChAURALation assessments will include: Individual submission of each student individually singing selected set exercises chosen by the lecturer. Students will pre-record themselves singing the allocated exercises and upload them to MyUni.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Lectures: Although attendance at all lectures is expected, leave applications will not be required to be submitted to the lecturers due to logistical reasons. Students are advised that poor attendance at lectures will very likely have a significant negative impact on their ability to complete assessment tasks. Lectures will be recorded and made available in Echo360 (via MyUni). Note: some lecture materials may be excluded from the lecture recording due to copyright restrictions.

    Tutorials: Full attendance at tutorials is expected and students will be required to attend at least 8 of 10 tutorials.  Note that due to the frequent nature of the class quizzes, non-attendance beyond 2 classes will cost Ongoing Assessment marks.

    Workshops (ChAURALation): Students are REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL 10 scheduled ChAURALation workshops. Except in the case of certified medical absences, each workshop absence will result in 5 marks being deducted from the student's result.

    Workshop (ChAURALation) Performance Participation: All students are required to participate in the end-of-semester workshop choral performance. Failure to attend and participate in the workshop choral performance will result in a score of '0' for this portion of the Assessment.

    Test and Exam Attendance: All students are required to attend the Aural Tests and end-of-semester Exam on the scheduled dates. No exceptions will be made except on certified medical grounds or on professional/compassionate grounds if approved by the coordinator well in advance of the scheduled exam.
    Assessment Detail
    Ongoing Assessment

    During the tutorials, students will undertake a short quiz at the start of the tutorial fortnightly from Week 3, which will cover the previous two weeks of content. No extensions will be possible on the quizzes. All students will be able to drop their lowest grade for one of the quizzes, so if you are absent for a class you will receive a zero for the quiz but will be able to drop the mark so your grade is unaffected. Students who take all quizzes will gain the advantage of being able to drop the quiz they did worst in.

    Multiple absences will impact on your grade for this assessment as you will receive zero for each absence.

    Quizzes will be marked immediately in class, so that students can receive ongoing feedback on their progress within the course, and highlight which topics they need to focus on for further study.

    Transcription Assignment

    Students will complete a short Transcription or Analysis of a contemporary work.  The transcription will include the correct notation of pitch, rhythm and any imporatant articulations to enable the performance of the song.

    Aural Tests

    Students will be tested on the Aural content of the class during the week 6 and 12 tutorials.  The Aural test in week 6 will test skills learned in weeks 1 - 5, while the test in week 12 will test skills learned from week 6 - 11.

    Chauralation Workshop Assessment

    As part of the Chauralation Workshop, students will be assessed on their Sight-Singing and Aural abilities and participate in a Choral Concert. Further information will be available in the Chauralation Workshop.

    Final Exam

    The Final Exam will be held in the Examination Period at the end of the semester.

    The exam will focus primarily on the lecture content for the whole semester, and will give students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned through the course. It will be made up of 40% short answer and notated questions, 30% multiple choice, and 30% aural questions.
    Submission
    Submission for the transcription assignment will occur digitally via MyUni, while the other assessments are either practical or paper based and will be completed in class or during the exam period.

    All component grades and feedback will be distributed to students via MyUni.
    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.

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.