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Unit of study_

JAZZ1000: Jazz Large Ensemble 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit of study covers all aspects of professional and creative ensemble performance, including: reading, improvisation, dynamics, tone, intonation, articulation, swing, time-feel, style and ensemble interaction. Enrolment is subject to audition.

Unit details and rules

Unit code JAZZ1000
Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Theak, david.theak@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Simon Sweeney, simon.sweeney@sydney.edu.au
Stephen Williams, stephen.williams@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Large ensemble artistry
ongoing assessment of artistic output and large ensemble skills
40% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Large ensemble participation and professionalism
professional behaviour including punctuality, being engaged and prepared
30% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Large ensemble performances
competent execution of all performances of the large ensemble
30% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

  • Auditions: 

    Entry to Jazz Ensembles is by audition

    Auditions are held in February the last Friday before semester starts between 10am & 2pm in the Music Workshop at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Auditions are open to all students at the Univeristy regardless of degree or major. 

    Results of the auditions will be posted on the Jazz Notice Board (opposite room 1100) at 4pm on the day of auditions. The decision of the assessors is final, no discussion will be entered into and only after passing the audition are non-jazz majors allowed to enrol in Large Ensemble. 

  • Attendance Lectures: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.
  • Attendance Ensembles: Students are expected to attend every rehearsal
  • Professionalism: Candidates must behave in professional manner. This includes attending rehearsals as per conservatorium guidelines and having your music properly prepared i.e. charts, taped, transposed, clearly copied and being ready to perform. If a member of the ensemble cannot make a rehearsal they must organise a deputy of a similar standard to attend the rehearsal on their behalf. It is common professional practice to notify the bandleader (in this case lecturer) of your absence and agree on a suitable deputy before the deputy is booked
  • Ensemble artistry: The candidate's ensemble skills will be assessed throughout the semester. Blending, accompaniment, time feel, sound, pitch, overall ensemble conception, playing for the group's interests, artistic input are some of the factors assessed
  • Jazz piano: more information about jazz piano requirements will be posted on the canvas page
  • Final performance - large ensemble: Candidates execution of final performance at concert practice as assessed by the lecturer. All musical considerations of the performance are assessed against the SCM performance descriptors.
  • Punctuality: Be ready to make music at the allotted time. To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is inexcusable.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Jazz big band rehearsal Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

There are no specific attendence and class requirements for this unit

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

There are no specific prescribed readings for this unit

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. demonstrate a knowledge of jazz performance practice in large jazz ensembles
  • LO2. competently perform in jazz ensembles at the Conservatorium and in the wider jazz community
  • LO3. lead an ensemble, write arrangements for an ensemble, perform in an ensemble as both a section player and a sollist and be fully conversant with a wide variety of jazz performance situations

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

There is no other relevant information for this unit

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit

Work, health and safety

There are no specific work health and safety requirements for this unit

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.