CQUniversity Unit Profile
PERF12017 Performance and Production Studies 4
Performance and Production Studies 4
All details in this unit profile for PERF12017 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This is the second unit in the Music Ensemble minor. Studying at a high-intermediate level in music and production, you will gain knowledge of how music is created, rehearsed, recorded, and performed. You will specialise in contemporary musical styles. Using industry recognised software, you will gain experience with multi-track recording, editing and audio mixing. The study of practical and theoretical principles gives you the opportunity to establish various performance, technical and creative skills.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in CG51 Bachelor of Music (Specialisation)

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 - 2022

Mackay

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Personal communication

Feedback

Recording projects

Recommendation

Students enjoyed the challenge and results of engaging in online recording projects. This is very beneficial in their development and will continue in these Performance and Production Studies units.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate musical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  2. Apply technical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  3. Implement a range of professional skills relating to performance including punctuality and preparedness, attendance and personal practice
  4. Collaborate with others to perform musical arrangements of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  5. Create a portfolio of audio work, relevant to high-intermediate repertoire, using audio production techniques in a digital audio workstation.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical Assessment - 35%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Practical Assessment - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Webcam
  • Ableton Live software
  • Audio interface
  • Studio headphones
  • Microphone and lead or instrument lead
Referencing Style

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.

Teaching Contacts
Jason Smyth-Tomkins Unit Coordinator
j.smyth-tomkins@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Meeting with Unit Coordinator

Mackay students: Production Class #1

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Virtual Rehearsal

Mackay students: Production Class #2

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Mackay students: Production Class #3

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Virtual Rehearsal

Mackay students: Production Class #4

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Mackay students: Production Class #5

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Virtual Rehearsal

Mackay students: Production Class #6

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Recording Project 1 Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #1

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #2 and Virtual Rehearsal

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #3

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Recording Project 2 Due: Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #4

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #5

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Online students: Production Class #6

See Moodle for specific details

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Production Project Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Equipment Requirements for Recording Projects

Performance and Production Studies students require some very specific equipment to facilitate the recording requirements of this unit.

This unit provides training in performing recording and mixing music. Because of this, you will need to have access to the following:

  • Ableton Live software
  • An audio interface
  • Your instrument
  • A quick stable internet connection (preferable ethernet)
  • Microphone and lead or an instrument lead
  • Studio headphones and your computer / webcam

About Ableton Live

Ableton Live is an industry standard DAW (digital audio workstation) and learning how to use it is extremely beneficial. You will be required to submit Ableton Live sessions as part of your assessments and therefore need to have access to a copy of Ableton software. As the production classes are based on the Ableton software, no other DAWs are acceptable for this unit. A free 90 day full use trial version of the Ableton Live software is available for download from the Ableton Live website (https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/).

If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact the Unit Coordinator, Jason Smyth-Tomkins (j.smyth-tomkins@cqu.edu.au).

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Recording Project 1

Task Description

This assessment task involves you preparing for and presenting practical performance recordings, relative to repertoire selected for the online ensemble.

You are required to develop a selected repertoire of the chosen style by:

  • accurately transcribing, learning and playing the set repertoire to performance standard.

You are expected to approach the genre of study in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves seeking to attain the highest possible standards of achievement.

Recording Your Tracks

All recordings of your individual parts will take place in Ableton Live.

Submission Requirements

You may record and refine your parts as many times as possible in the process of producing your recorded work.

You are required to submit:

  • Weekly audio recordings as evidence of progress with a brief explanation of the alterations / improvements in each version (this represents your contribution to the recording process)
  • A video recording of your individual ensemble parts for the repertoire studied
  • An audio recording of your individual part/s at the final stage of recording.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (9 Sept 2022)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on a combination of criteria relating to the development of musical and technical skills as applied to the repertoire and genre of study.

The criteria may include the assessment of:

  • Accuracy of intonation and quality of tone
  • Accuracy of rhythm and articulation
  • Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing
  • Accuracy of melody and harmony
  • Clarity of lyrics
  • Quality of recorded performance
  • Contribution to the recording process


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
See unit Moodle site for specific details.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Create a portfolio of audio work, relevant to high-intermediate repertoire, using audio production techniques in a digital audio workstation.

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Recording Project 2

Task Description

This assessment task involves you preparing for and presenting practical performance recordings, relative to repertoire selected for the online ensemble.

You are required to develop a selected repertoire of the chosen style by:

  • accurately transcribing, learning and playing the set repertoire to performance standard.

You are expected to approach the genre of study in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves seeking to attain the highest possible standards of achievement.

Recording Your Tracks

All recordings of your individual parts will take place in Ableton Live.

Submission Requirements

You may record and refine your parts as many times as possible in the process of producing your recorded work.

You are required to submit:

  • Weekly audio recordings as evidence of progress with a brief explanation of the alterations / improvements in each version (this represents your contribution to the recording process)
  • A video recording of your individual ensemble parts for the repertoire studied
  • An audio recording of your individual part/s at the final stage of recording.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (30 Sept 2022)


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on a combination of criteria relating to the development of musical and technical skills as applied to the repertoire and genre of study.

The criteria may include the assessment of:

  • Accuracy of intonation and quality of tone
  • Accuracy of rhythm and articulation
  • Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing
  • Accuracy of melody and harmony
  • Clarity of lyrics
  • Quality of recorded performance
  • Contribution to the recording process


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
See unit Moodle site for specific details.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate musical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  • Apply technical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  • Implement a range of professional skills relating to performance including punctuality and preparedness, attendance and personal practice
  • Collaborate with others to perform musical arrangements of repertoire at a high-intermediate level

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Production Project

Task Description

In this assessment task, you will create a remix of a song in Ableton Live. You will be provided with the stems to a song, and your job is to create a new work, using at least some of the original content. You may choose to turn the song into a dance floor hit or an ambient dub translation, the creative decision is yours.

Submission requirements

  • Your final bounce will be a stereo mix of your signals with a peak level of no more than -3dBFS.
  • You will be required to submit both a stereo bounce of your composition as well as your Ableton Live Project.
  • Your project should not contain any missing media or unused tracks.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

End of term


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

  • Composition demonstrates genre-specific production techniques (20%)
  • Composition meets submission requirements (20%)
  • Sound design is implemented effectively (20%)
  • MIDI sequencing is implemented effectively (20%)
  • Presentation and project handling (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
See unit Moodle site for specific details.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate musical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  • Apply technical knowledge and relevant skills needed for the performance of repertoire at a high-intermediate level
  • Implement a range of professional skills relating to performance including punctuality and preparedness, attendance and personal practice
  • Collaborate with others to perform musical arrangements of repertoire at a high-intermediate level

Academic Integrity Statement

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?