Overview
In this unit, you will study elements of modern music as derived from both the western art-music tradition and contemporary popular music styles. These elements will cover aspects of music theory, music notation, music creation and arrangement. There will be a particular focus on creating written arrangements for various medium-sized music ensembles within a contemporary music setting.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: MUSC13406
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Staff
Incorporation of Mustion software
Incorporate Musition software to aid in Learning Materials and Assessment items.
- Create an original modal music composition adhering to stylistic melodic and harmonic characteristics
- Construct four and five note mechanical voicings for a variety of musical situations
- Arrange melodic excerpts and accompaniments for SATB choir and a string quartet
- Identify pitch, rhythm, keys, scales, chords, chord progressions, melody and form through aural related tasks
- Create a music score for a medium-sized ensemble using various music arrangement techniques
- Explain decisions made during the creative process of arranging music for a medium-sized ensemble.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 10% | ||||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Professional Music Notation Software (Sibelius recommended)
- Auralia/Musition software
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.reaston@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction/Overview
Module 1: Modal Systems
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Module 2: Mechanical Voicings
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Module 3: Spread Voicings
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Module 4: Writing for mixed voices and orchestral Instruments
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Module 4: Writing for mixed voices and orchestral Instruments
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Module 5: Modern Voicings
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Module 6: Arrangement Sections
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All students are required to purchase a student Auralia/Musition cloud license. This license will give you access to the Auralia and Musition programs. These two programs will be used to facilitate the music theory, aural musicianship content and assessment in Language of Modern Music 6 (LOMM6). These programs are interconnected and can be used on any computer and/or other devices with internet.
The cost of Auralia/Musition, is $59 for a 12 months access. To purchase this software, you must enter the software website through the designated link in the LOMM6 Moodle site. This will register you as a CQU Musition student. This is a cloud subscription, meaning you cannot sign up without going through Moodle. The instructions and details will be available on the Moodle site prior to term commencing. The Unit Coordinator will also email all students further instructions.
It is strongly encouraged that students purchase the music notation software Sibelius to complete the assessments in this unit. Sibelius can be purchased in full or by annual subscription. The Moodle unit site contains the relevant purchase/set up information.
For any questions regarding Auralia/Musition or Sibelius software, please contact d.reaston@cqu.edu.au.
1 Written Assessment
You will be required to:
- Create a Modal composition adhering to specific requirements
- Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical voicings using Musition software
Assessment Submission and Presentation
For Part A, you must submit:
- A completed composition as a PDF (.pdf).
- A Sibelius file or audio file (.mp3 or .wav) of your composition
Part B will be completed online using Musition Software, and will consist of questions relating to four and five-part mechanical voicings.
Week 5 Friday (11 Aug 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (1 Sept 2023)
Part A: Modal Composition
- Modal Structure (10%)
- Melodic Content (10%)
- Harmonic Progression and arrangement (10%)
- Rhythmic and Metric Elements (10%)
- Originality and Creativity (10%)
- Score presentation (5%)
- Overall coherence (5%)
Part B: Mechanical Voicing Quiz
- Accurate competition of all mechanical voicing questions in Musition (40%)
- Create an original modal music composition adhering to stylistic melodic and harmonic characteristics
- Construct four and five note mechanical voicings for a variety of musical situations
2 Written Assessment
You will be required to:
- Arrange a given melody for SATB choir and write a short essay explaining your process
- Create an introduction and accompaniment for string quartet to a given melody.
Assessment Submission and Presentation
You must submit:
- Your answers as a PDF (.pdf). This should be written with a music notation program such as Sibelius
- The Sibelius file or audio file for Tasks 1 and 2
- A 500 word (approx.) discussion of your SATB arrangement for Task 1 as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) which (1) must use 12 point Times New Roman font; (2) must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment; and (3) may use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly. Include your name and student number.
Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2023)
Task 1
Part (a)
- Vocal writing is effective and stylistically appropriate (20%)
- All voices are in their correct range (5%)
- Arrangement displays coherence, balance and unity (5%)
- Harmony has been implemented correctly (12%)
Part (b)
- Discussion is considered, reflective, and complete (12%)
- Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (4%)
- Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (2%)
Task 2
- Instrumental writing is effective and correct (16%)
- Introduction is present and effective (5%)
- Arrangement displays coherence, balance and unity (7%)
- Harmony has been implemented correctly (8%)
- Score presentation (4%)
*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
- Arrange melodic excerpts and accompaniments for SATB choir and a string quartet
3 Online Test
This assessment will be completed online using Auralia Software, and will consist of aural-based questions relating to specified topics delivered in the program.
Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Results will be provided after the completion of the test in Auralia
- Accurate competition of all aural-based questions in Auralia (100%)
- Identify pitch, rhythm, keys, scales, chords, chord progressions, melody and form through aural related tasks
4 Written Assessment
You are to produce an arrangement for one of the following ensembles:
- A medium-sized jazz ensemble consisting of four to six horns + rhythm section. For example: two trumpets, one alto sax, one tenor sax, one baritone sax, one trombone plus a rhythm section of piano, bass and drums (guitar optional).
- A medium-sized jazz ensemble consisting of one vocalist + three to four horns + rhythm section. For example: one vocalist, one trumpet, one alto sax, one tenor sax, one trombone plus a rhythm section of piano, bass and drums (guitar optional).
- SATB Choir + rhythm section of piano, bass and drums (guitar optional). The soloist may either be for a vocalist or a rhythm section instrument with the remaining vocal parts providing background parts for solos.
- A medium-sized contemporary/pop ensemble consisting of one vocalist + strings + rhythm section of piano, bass and drums (guitar optional). The soloist may either be for a vocalist or a rhythm section instrument with the strings providing background parts for solos.
The arrangement will be of a piece of your choosing from a list provided on the Moodle website. The arrangement may be in any of the styles covered in the Language of Modern Music units.
The arrangement must include:
- A variety of stylistic appropriate voicings and textures
- An introduction
- A statement of the melody
- A transition/kicker
- A solo section with background horn/string/vocal parts
- A shout chorus/soli (for jazz based arrangements) or composed ensemble section/interlude
- A coda/ending
In addition, you are to submit an 800—1000 word* discussion on your arrangement. Be sure to include:
- Your arranging process and method
- The outline/structure of your arrangement
- Your approach to arranging each section: introduction, melody, transition/kicker, solo, coda
- Your approach to writing your shout chorus/soli or composed ensemble section/interlude
- Your approach to writing background figures in the solo section
- An explanation what kinds of voicings and textures you used, where and why you used them
- Any drafts used (can be included in an Appendix)
You must submit:
- A Sibelius file or audio file (.mp3 or .wav) of your arrangement
- A PDF (.pdf) of the conductors score and extracted parts of your arrangement. They are to be created on a music notation program (e.g. Sibelius)
- An 800–1,000 word discussion of your arrangement as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) which (1) must use 12 point Times New Roman font; (2) must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment; and (3) may use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.
*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment to be returned at the end of the Term.
Arrangement
- Instrumental/Vocal writing is effective and correct (20%)
- Arrangement displays coherence and unity (15%)
- Arrangement displays a variety of stylistic appropriate voicings and textures (5%)
- Introduction is present and effective (5%)
- Statement of the melody is present and effective (5%)
- Transition/kicker is present and effective (5%)
- Solo section and background parts are present and effective (5%)
- Shout chorus/soli/composed ensemble section/interlude is present and effective (5%)
- Coda/Ending is present and effective (5%)
- The score is laid out in a professional manner (5%)
- Parts are laid out in a professional manner (5%)
Written Discussion
- Discussion is considered, reflective, and complete (15%)
- Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (2.5%)
- Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (2.5%)
- Create a music score for a medium-sized ensemble using various music arrangement techniques
- Explain decisions made during the creative process of arranging music for a medium-sized ensemble.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
