This assessment item involves you rehearsing for and presenting a variety of practical performance based events through participation in a music ensemble. The ensemble repertoire should include some original compositions written by ensemble members. The musical set should be 10-15 minutes in length.

Students are expected to approach their field of study in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves seeking to attain the highest possible standards of achievement. Each ensemble has a number of scheduled rehearsals per week, supervised and self-directed.

It is a requirement of this unit that students maintain high levels of attendance at rehearsals and performances. Failing to do so will negatively affect student results in this assessment item. Students should aim to be characterised by punctuality to classes, lessons, rehearsals and performances. It is expected that students take an active role in their musical education, demonstrating initiative in developing an effective practise schedule and a positive work ethic towards the established curriculum.

There will be two separate performances throughout the term.

Performance Set 1: Week 6 during class time

Performance Set 2: Week 10 during class time

Musical Skills

• Accuracy of intonation and quality of tone - 10%
• Accuracy of balance and appropriate dynamic shaping - 5%
• Accuracy of articulation and rhythm - 10%
• Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing - 10%
• Degree of musical interaction and quality of interpretation - 10%
• Degree of memorization of lyrics, harmony, melody and arrangement - 5%

Professionalism

• Degree of initiative in completing tasks in a variety of technical, creative and performance areas - 10%
• Degree of focus, concentration and attention during rehearsals and performance - 10%
• Ability to take direction and apply concepts in rehearsal and performance - 10%
• Degree of preparedness and punctuality, including transcriptions/arrangements and individual practice - 10%

General

• Ensemble rehearsal and performance attendance and participation - 10%

You are to choose a popular song from the following list of artists and write a 1000 word analysis. The artists you may choose from are Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Nick Cave, Adele, Katy Perry and Archie Roach.  Your analysis should consider the purpose of the song and its place in the artistic output of the writer.  Further to this you should consider:

• Harmonic progression
• Lyrical content
• Form
• Motif

Your analysis should use primary sources to support your argument. Your assessment (1000 words) must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

• Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
• Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
• May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
• Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.

Appropriate description of musical material (20%)

Appropriate description of lyrics (20%)

Development of argument (20%)

All submission criteria met (20%)

Use of primary sources to support argument or theme (20%)

Task:

You are to submit a creative portfolio of your own during this unit. The folio is to consist of:

1. An audio recording of an original song.

2. A reflective report.

The Song

The composition will be no more than 4 minutes in length and contain both music and lyrical elements developed over the term. It is not a requirement that you play every instrument on the recording of your song.  You may enlist the services of peers in your cohort to act as 'session musicians'  to perform musical accompaniment as required.  For example, if you are not a singer and have written lyrics, you may ask a fellow student to sing on the recorded version of your song.

All sounds will be recorded, edited and mixed and demonstrate genre specific production techniques. Recordings will be topped and tailed and free from extraneous noise. Your final bounce will be a stereo mix of your signals with a peak level of no more than -6dBFS.

The Reflective Report

You are also required to submit a reflective report describing the creative process behind the composition and reflecting upon any issues encountered. This report may be in the form of a weekly reflective journal and be no more than 1000 words in length. Your reflective report:

• Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
• Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
• May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
• Must adhere to the CQ University APA Style Guide.

Submission Requirements

You are required to submit:

· A lyric sheet

· A lead sheet

· A recording of your composition (wav format)

· Reflective report (1000 words)

Song (50%)

• Suitable and appropriate use of rhyme (10%)
• Competent and informed word usage (10%)
• Construction of appropriate song narrative (10%)
• Contextually appropriate harmony (5%)
• Musical and technically informed melody (10%)
• Lead sheet presentation (5%)

Reflective Report (25%)

• Sources of ideas, information and feedback are acknowledged (10%)
• Evidence of reflection on one's own practice (15%)

Audio Recording (25%)

• Recorded signals are free from extraneous noise and distortion (5%)
• Recording demonstrates appropriate microphone choice and placement (5%)

• Mixing - Balance is achieved throughout the recording (5%)

  • Equalisation is well-implemented and effective (2.5%)
  • Panning is well-implemented and effective (2.5%)
  • Compression is well-implemented and effective (2.5%)
  • Reverb is well-implemented and effective (2.5%)

Task

You will be required to work in a small team to plan and run a live theatre production in a venue. Your tutor will arrange the venue and performers for you to work with. 

As a team you will be required to:

· Develop an event plan, including a stage plot, lighting plot and running sheet

· Liaise with the producer to ascertain production requirements

· Discuss the risks associated with the event and develop a risk management strategy

For the performance you will be assigned a role and be required to fulfil the tasks of that role. Tasks will include the following:

· Install a full PA system in the venue

· Tune the PA system to suit the room so that all problem frequencies are managed

Install radio microphones

Create a balanced mix of microphones and sound effects

Launch sound effect cues according to a script

Bump out all equipment at the end of the event

Submission requirements

As a group submission, you will be required to submit your event plan, risk management strategy, stage plot and running sheet as a zipped pdf document 1 week prior to the event.

Develop a plan (30%)

Working cooperatively with all group members (20%)

Fulfil the required tasks of assigned role (20%)

Demonstrates effective communication with group members (15%)

Collaborate with key stakeholders to produce a public work (15%)