Students
MMCC2063 – Vocal Studies: The Song
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor/Tutor
Naomi Cooper
Appointment time via email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on singing and song in a range of musical styles. It aims to facilitate critical listening and singing through the exploration of vocal stylistic nuances. Creative approaches to repertoire and songwriting are introduced. Students research songs and musical styles/genres and are encouraged to pursue specific interests such as Blues, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Country, Pop and Rock. The unit fosters the development of interpretive, performance and analytical skills appropriate to a variety of contemporary music genres and songs. Original songs may also be explored. No prior knowledge of singing is required. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
- ULO2: create, perform and communicate lyric and melodic components.
- ULO3: apply reflexive strategies in practices, journal entries and performance preparation.
- ULO4: analyse repertoire through critical listening of stylistic nuances.
- ULO5: implement stylistic nuances using appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
- ULO6: apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.
General Assessment Information
Late submission / Special Consideration
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved:
1. a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and
2. no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, online participation.
Assessment standards
1. Rubrics are used for all assessments and will be available on iLearn.
2. Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available in Schedule 1 at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
Written Assessment Submission
All written assessment submissions must be through Turnitin by the due date and time. For all written work, students are required to use APA referencing system for all in-text referencing and reference lists. This includes recorded material as appropriate. Please use the Library database for your own research purposes and do not use Wikipedia as a reference.
iLearn Forums
Students are required to participate in iLearn Forums for all group discussions. Please do not use social media, e.g., do not use Facebook. Due to copyright issues, the posting of lyrics, sheet music and/or videos on iLearn is not permitted. If appropriate, please post only links to resources such as websites/YouTube.
Project and Performance Assessments
Students are required to provide instrumental backing tracks in suitable keys for their ensemble or project performance option or will accompany their own performance. Students are also encouraged to purchase the sheet music for the specific songs they are working on this session. No songs performed or analysed for assessments in other units may be used for assessment tasks in this unit.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure that backing tracks do not breach copyright legislation, are obtained legally and are not pirated copies. No melody or vocals are to be on backing tracks used for assessment purposes. Students are not permitted to read the lyrics or sheet music during their assessments.
No practical assessments (group or solo) may be recorded (video or audio) by students nor uploaded to social media/platforms.
Performances and/or presentations are to be from memory. That is, there is to be no reading of lyrics, music or scripts. If choosing a presentation option, students are required to use PowerPoint slides and to upload these with their outline.
Singing in a language other than English is permitted for one song only. Please email a translation of the lyrics to the unit convenor prior to the assessment date.
Students will be allocated an individual assessment time for the final task.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocal exercise | 10% | No | Written - Wk 4 18/8 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 5 Tutorial 25/8 |
| Blues Ensemble | 30% | No | Written - Wk 8 29/9 by 23:59; Mixing Sessions - Wk 9 TBC |
| Vocal Journal | 30% | No | Wk 11 19/10 by 23:59 |
| Vocal performance OR presentation | 30% | No | Written - Wk 12 27/10 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 13 3/11 TBC |
Vocal exercise
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Written - Wk 4 18/8 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 5 Tutorial 25/8
Weighting: 10%
Students are required to prepare, submit an outline and perform vocal exercises. Students select a range of vocal exercises suited to their individual needs and are required to include exercises for warming the voice, individual vocal development, stylistic development and cooling down. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
- create, perform and communicate lyric and melodic components.
- implement stylistic nuances using appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
- apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.
Blues Ensemble
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Written - Wk 8 29/9 by 23:59; Mixing Sessions - Wk 9 TBC
Weighting: 30%
For this assessment, students are required to individually write lyrics and melody to a group theme consistent with a 12 bar blues structure, and to collectively structure a musical arrangement of those segments. Students are also required to submit their individual lyric segments. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
- create, perform and communicate lyric and melodic components.
- apply reflexive strategies in practices, journal entries and performance preparation.
- analyse repertoire through critical listening of stylistic nuances.
- implement stylistic nuances using appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
Vocal Journal
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Wk 11 19/10 by 23:59
Weighting: 30%
Students maintain a vocal journal. The task requires weekly reflection on the questions asked in each lectorial. This involves critical reflection, individual research and examples of individual critical listening. In addition to referencing unit readings and lectorial content where appropriate, students are required to include their own individual research. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
- apply reflexive strategies in practices, journal entries and performance preparation.
- analyse repertoire through critical listening of stylistic nuances.
- implement stylistic nuances using appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
- apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.
Vocal performance OR presentation
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Written - Wk 12 27/10 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 13 3/11 TBC
Weighting: 30%
This assessment requires an individual performance OR presentation of 2 contrasting songs and styles. Students are required to discuss the style of their songs, detailing the vocal nuances that represent their chosen styles and songs. Students are also required to submit project outlines that acknowledge their songs, songwriters, sources and content. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
- create, perform and communicate lyric and melodic components.
- apply reflexive strategies in practices, journal entries and performance preparation.
- analyse repertoire through critical listening of stylistic nuances.
- implement stylistic nuances using appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
- apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectorials for this unit will be held online via Zoom and commence in Week 1 of Session 2.
Tutorials will be held online via Zoom and commence in Week 2.
Required Readings and Resources
Required readings are available through Leganto. An indicative allocation of 12 hours is an estimate of the time required to complete these readings.
Set singing exercises are available on iLearn.
Additional Resources
Additional resources will be progressively introduced in lectorials as appropriate.
Individual Learning
Due to the practical and interactive components of this unit, students are encouraged to attend weekly lectorials and tutorials, to read the essential readings prior to attending weekly lectorials, to conduct individual research and to work on vocal development progressively throughout the session. Students therefore need to devise a progressive rehearsal schedule that enables regular practice of vocal exercises.
An indicative allocation of 33 hours is an estimate of the time required to complete additional research and practice. This is in addition to the hours allocated or each assessment task.
Vocal Health and Care
Students should have access to bottled room temperature water to all lectorials and tutorials. Students are requested to advise their convenor/tutor of any vocal health issues.
Feedback
Formal and informal feedback will be available throughout the session.
Technologies used and required
A computer and Internet access are required. Music playback facility is also required.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 14/07/2020 | Typo corrected. |