Unit outline_

DRUM1302: Drum Set Ensemble 2

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

This subject will follow a trajectory beginning with Charles Wilcoxin's snare drum compositions, progressing through to complex contemporary rhythmic works for drum set. The ensemble will perform both through-composed and semi-composed materials, allowing for improvisational theory and action. Works included in the drumming ensemble repertoire will explore a variety of stylistic and rhythmic areas, thus offering a broad overview of contemporary and traditional drumming practices, rhythmic frameworks, and improvisational prompts.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students enrolling must have fundamentals of drum set performance and some performance experience in place. In addition, participants must be enrolled in the Bachelor of Performance degree, with a principal study in Drum Set

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Simon Barker, s.barker@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Weekly rehearsals and performance
Weekly assessment
80% Ongoing - AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Review of semester materials
This skills-based assessment will cover materials presented during semester
20% Ongoing - AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Early Feedback Task Mandatory Early Feedback Task
Participation mark using Canvas rubric #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03 - AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Early Feedback Task
  • Review of semester materials: This assessment focuses on skills and processes covered during semester
  • Weekly rehearsals and performances: This assessment is based on the student’s participation, engagement with materials, communication with ensemble members, and attitude

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85-100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control in relation to developmental expectations. Outstanding ability to manipulate rhythmic procedures. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity. Outstanding communication with ensemble.

Distinction

75-84

Excellent technical control and ability to manipulate developmental procedures/materials. Excellent communication with ensemble.

Credit

65-74

Confident technique and evidence of solid understanding of developmental procedures and materials. Projects potential for further development. Confident communication with ensemble.

Pass

50-64

Satisfactory level of technical development and control. Limited understanding and ability to manipulate developmental procedures and materials. Satisfactory level of communication.

Fail

0-49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and engagement with materials and developmental processes. Unsatisfactory communication with ensemble.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

n/a

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Technical development through procedural composition activity. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions item 11(3), full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

N/A

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. manipulate a range of rhythmic practices, stylistic areas, sticking vocabularies, and improvisational frameworks/procedures
  • LO2. manipulate developmental processes that allow for the creation of personal rhythmic vocabulary
  • LO3. communicate effectively in ways that allow for multi-disciplinary collaborative action.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

There are no changes since the unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.