Outline

Overview

Today, the broad variety of music the professional musician is likely to encounter requires an awareness and practical familiarity with a wide range of popular music genre conventions and contemporary approaches to rhythm. This course provides students with a range of expressive tools that allow them to confidently engage with popular music genres and rhythms. In this unit students will undertake intensive rhythmic awareness training and limited group tuition on one musical instrument (student to provide). They will be guided in playing the instrument in an ensemble, and will participate in ensemble performances. Through seminar-style workshops of selected covers, they will begin to develop a broad understanding of popular music rhythms, instrumentation, ensembles, and musical structures, thus enhancing their knowledge of recorded popular music history and its extensive and diverse musical genres.

Details

Academic unit	Arts Music
Unit code	MUSC1300
Unit name	Popular Music Ensemble
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2023
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Credit points	3

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	MUSC1402
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Jade O'Regan, jade.oregan@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s)	Heather Shannon , hsha0218@uni.sydney.edu.au
	Jerome Blaze, jerome.blaze@sydney.edu.au
	Zane Banks, zane.banks@sydney.edu.au
	Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au
	Michael Carpenter, michael.carpenter@sydney.edu.au
	Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
	Neal Sutherland, neal.sutherland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jade O'Regan , jade.oregan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Class participation and preparation Participation will be focused on two intensive days of practical work	40%	Ongoing	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Song Analysis Written assignment	30%	Week 06 Due date: 24 Mar 2023 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Performance reflection log Written assignment	30%	Week 12 Due date: 19 May 2023 at 23:59	800-1000 Words
Outcomes assessed:

Class participation and preparation: Marks are awarded for participation and preparation each week. Students must be professional and punctual in the same way they would for a “real” session job. Students will participate in two days of intensive performance practice to replace weekly classes.
Song analysis: Students will submit a written analysis of a popular music song of their choice (and its score/chart) outlining the roles of all instrumental parts, and how they fit together to create a cohesive performance. Consider things like arrangement, texture, tone, and performance. Draw from relevant literature to support their musical findings.
Performance reflection log: Students will submit a written “reflection log” of the songs performed each week during the semester. They should reflect on their own instrumental or vocal role in each song and how it relates to the wider song arrangement.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to unit	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Song Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Full (100%) 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.

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. demonstrate understandings of diverse forms of popular music and how to recreate such music in an ensemble
LO2. reflect critically on your music and music produced by your peers
LO3. apply rehearsal and collaborative performance techniques necessary to present diverse forms of popular music, and perform as “session” musicians.

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

Closing the loop

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Information on the weekly songs we'll be working on is available in detail on the Canvas site for this subject.

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
Academic appeals
Academic appeals process, special consideration, rules and guidelines, advice and support
Learning and teaching policy
Policy register, policy search
Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
Study resources
Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

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.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MUSC1300: Popular Music Ensemble

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect