Course Catalogue

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This course examines critical aspects of jazz and its place in global society, as well as introducing and developing essential skills in jazz composition and analysis. This includes providing students with an opportunity compose for a jazz combo; to create jazz arrangements for larger ensemble; and to analyse jazz compositions.  

10 x 1 hr Lecture over 20 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus 

10 x 1 hr Tutorial over 20 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus 

5 x 2 hour workshops over 20 weeks

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Music programmes, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation

The Jazz Composer (Pre-Hons)

None

Harmonic Analysis (1000 words) - 20%

Arrangement (c. 3 minutes) - 20%

Essay (1000 words) - 30%

Composition and reflective diary (1-2 minutes written work (more with improvisations) 750 words) - 30%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Provide critical perspectives on contemporary global jazz scholarship;

■ engender an awareness of jazz ethics and performance practice;

■ develop students' understanding of jazz harmonies;

■ develop students' ability to compose and arrange in a jazz style.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Engage in contemporary critical and contextual discourses about jazz and society;

■ utilise the primary aspects of jazz harmony; 

■ develop advanced approaches to jazz composition, including the use of lead sheets and charts for larger ensembles; 

■ critically analyse the diversity of jazz styles and practices across history and cultures.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.