Outline

Overview

This unit concentrates on more complex harmonic material that forms the basis for Jazz Improvisation, as well as learning arranging techniques for five horns and more complex ensemble music. Methods of reharmonisation of existing jazz and standard compositions will be introduced. Students learn big band orchestration which includes ensemble scoring, sax soli, background writing, form and the related uses of counterpoint. There will be detailed analysis of scores of major composers and arrangers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Jazz
Credit points	3
Prerequisites ?	JAZZ1020
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Weekly homework assignments 5 x weekly homework tasks (3% each)	15%	Multiple weeks Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Initial assessment of student capacity for JAZZ2016	0%	Week 03 Due date: 11 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Mar 2026	20 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Week 8 (Mid-Semester) arranging task 32 bar arrangement for 5 saxes (AATTB), 4 Trumpets and 4 Trombones (3 Tenor + Bass Trombone) from the 2nd Year Repertoire List or 2nd Year Jazz Vocal list.	35%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Apr 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Week 13 End of Semester arranging task Full Big Band (5 x Saxophones (AATTB), 4 x Trumpets, 4 x Trombones) + 4 Rhythm (Gtr., Piano, Bass and Drums) arrangement for 1 x 32 bar form	50%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= 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

Weekly Homework Assignments: Homework Assignments, due in various weeks, different topics based on content covered in class. There will be 5 homework tasks, each worth 3% – totaling 15% for the semester. They will be simple and short activities focusing on the learnings of that week’s class.
Week 8 Arranging Task: Focuses on skills for arranging Brass & Saxophone sections.
Week 13 Big Band arrangement: Big band arrangement of 32 bars + ending with full score and parts. The writing of a successful arrangement demonstrates the student’s knowledge of jazz harmony and arranging in the most immediate and direct way. This arrangement will demonstrate an overall grasp of both fundamentals and more advanced concepts in jazz harmony, and exhibit facility with the content covered in class.
Early Feedback task

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria for assessments in this unit of study can be found on Canvas in the appropriate folder.

Assessed work will be marked according to these criteria.

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:

As per University of Sydney guidelines

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	• Overview of course, assessment, expectations • Big band instrumentation and section roles • Historical overview of big band arranging styles	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Study of the Saxophone Section • Standard sax section ranges (A1, A2, T1, T2, Bari) • Closed and open position voicings • Lead alto function and voicing hierarchy	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	• Drop-2 voicings adapted for saxes • Billy May / spread sax writing • Density vs clarity	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	• Trombone ranges and slide considerations • Closed vs open trombone voicings • Weight and harmonic grounding	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Writing for the Brass Section • Vertical brass textures • Closed, open, and hybrid brass voicings • Register stacking and power writing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Big Band texture: • Sectional contrast (saxes vs brass vs mixed) • Unison, octave, block, and layered textures • Sparse vs dense orchestration	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Advanced rhythm section arranging. • Piano and guitar comping notation • Bass line writing vs chord-based notation • Drum part notation (figures, setups, form cues)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Secondary melodies. • Writing countermelodies in big band context • Register placement and rhythmic contrast • Call-and-response textures	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Style Studies & Score Analysis • Analysis of selected scores (Fedchock, Dobbins) • Identifying voicing and textural strategies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	• Planning AABA / ABAC big band forms • Sectional pacing across 32 bars • Shout chorus concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Workshop & Draft Review • Peer and instructor feedback • Refining voicings, balance, articulation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Student performances of Week 13 assignment. Final submission and listening	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: 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%.

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

Not required reading however we will be using excerpts of these books held in the library:

Nestico, Sammy – The Complete Arranger
Sebesky, Don – The Contemporary Arranger
Dobbins, Bill – Composing and Arranging for Big Band
Dobbins, Bill – Jazz Arranging and Composing
Lindsay, Gary – Jazz Arranging Techniques from Quartet to Big Band
Lawn, Rick – Jazz Scores and Analysis

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Analyse jazz arrangements from a range of styles and eras
LO2. Write arrangements for jazz big band in a number of styles
LO3. Become fluent in more complex jazz arranging techniques (voicing styles, texture and orchestration)
LO4. Complete a 32 bar arrangement for full big band bringing together skills in voicing, orchestration and texture

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Changes to number of assessments and weighting plus re-write of sequential learning program.

Additional information

More information and resources are to be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

JAZZ2016: Jazz Harmony and Arranging 3

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links