MUSPOP 1100 - Contemporary Music in Practice 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

Building on rehearsal and performance techniques developed through Song Writing and Performance 1A and 1B, this course enables students to develop strategies for the preparation and performance of live original music in a more formal performance setting. A major emphasis of this course is on self and peer evaluation, where students present original work, and it is subjected to discussion in a supportive environment to enable students to develop critical thinking skills, and insight into the evaluation of creative work. Guest presentations by Music Industry professionals expose students to new developments in the industry, and insight into their creative practice, and students are encouraged to engage actively in the local industry through undertaking off-campus performance critiques. Performance Forums will comprise of guest lectures by industry identities, master-classes, and student performances.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSPOP 1100
    Course Contemporary Music in Practice 1
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites MUSPOP 1201
    Corequisites MUSPOP 1202
    Incompatible MUSPMACT 1111, MUSPMACT 1112
    Restrictions Available to BMus, BMedia (Pop Music Major), DipMus students only
    Assessment Peer assessment & participation 20%, Self-reflection 15%, Concert attendance & critiquing 25%, Forum performance 40%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Luke Harrald

    Teaching Staff:  Dr Luke Harrald & Mr Grayson Rotumah

    Contact detaila available on MyUni under "Course Contacts".
    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.   Musicianship through ensemble performance
    2.   Critical understanding of own and others’ musical performances in relation to the standards required for professional endeavour
    3.   Skills in performance etiquette, audience communication and interaction
    4.   The ability to analyse and articulate concepts applied in the student’s own compositions
    5.     An understanding of and engagement 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)
    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
    1, 2
    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
    1, 3, 4, 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, 3
    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
    5
    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, 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 performances.
    Recommended Resources
    Library

    The Music Collectyion is located on Level 1 South within the Barr Smith Library, and is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/collections/music-collection
    Online Learning
    Learning materials and assessment will be placed on MyUni. Usage of MyUni will include Announcements, Digital readings, External web-links and Recordings student performances to enable students to critically reflect on both their own performances and their peers.

    Students will contribute to a discussion board.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The Performance Forum provides at least one performance opportunity per semester. This forum will expose students to performance practice in both formal and informal settings.

    Students will be scheduled in Week 1 for their performances and are expected to meet the deadlines set by the co-ordinator.

    Works composed with an accompaniment must be played with accompaniment.

    Students are also expected to make critical comments about performances of peers at the Forum, and be involved in written peer assessment.

    Forum will occasionally combine with other specialisations within the Conservatorium in Elder Hall or Scott Theatre for visiting lecturers and other special performances. Dates to be advised.
    Workload

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

    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 x 3 hour performance forum per week 36 hours per semester
    5 hours rehearsal per week 60 hours per semester
    3 hours assignment preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Utilising a “just in time” teaching model, tutors will remain responsive to student needs as they arise through the semester and to developments and opportunities in the local music industry, including the engagement of guest artists.

    Students will undertake 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
    Rehearsal Spaces

    This course will 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. During normal hours (8am – 6pm), levels should not exceed 88dB as a constant level. This level 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
    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 TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
    Peer Assessment & Participation Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Self Reflection Summative 15% 2, 3, 4
    Concert Attendance & Critiquing Summative 25% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Forum Performance Formative & Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Expectation & Penalty

    As per Conservatorium policy, active and positive participation in 100% of classes is expected, any student who attends less than 80% 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.

    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 should be discussed with the relevant staff member and approved prior to taking the leave.
    Assessment Detail
    Peer Assessment & Participation (20%) - Each week, students will participate in Peer Assessments. This will involve both verbal feedback and discussion with the groups performing each week, and written feedback. A discussion board will also be populated with videos of student performances for discussion and feedback on MyUni. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussion board a minimum of five times during semester.

    Self Reflection (15%) - tutors will record a video of each band’s performance. These videos will be posted to MyUni for students to view, and students will write a critique of the performance of approximately 300 words. The commentary should briefly discuss the band’s set of songs as a whole, before critiquing the realisation of the student’s individual composition; ie. Each band member will submit individual critiques of each individual work; this is not a group assignment.

    Concert Attendance & Critiquing (25%) - Students will attend two performances of their choosing out in local industry and write short, print media style 300 – 350 word critiques of each performance in order 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 to broaden their ideas on presentation and live performance.

    Forum Performance (40%) - Students will be assessed on the delivery of one class performance of their work, held during the teaching period. Central to this assessment is the proficiency of their performance, including elements such as accuracy, interpretation, presentation and audience engagement.
    Submission
    All written materials will be submitted online via MyUni.

    Performances will take place in-class. Note that due to scheduling and practicalities, extensions for performance assessments are not possible.
    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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