Students

MMCC2063 – Vocal Studies: Song, Composition & Arranging

2023 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-Convenor
Diane Hughes
diane.hughes@mq.edu.au
Contact via 9850 2175
Building 10 HA, Hub 248, Room 254
By appointment
Co-Convenor
Andrew Robson
andrew.robson@mq.edu.au
Contact via 9850 2120
Building 10 HA, Hub 248, Room 253
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit focuses on singing, song, composition and musical arrangement in a range of styles. It aims to facilitate critical listening and singing through the exploration of vocal stylistic nuances and musically arranging for voice. 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 creative, interpretive, performative and analytical skills appropriate to a variety of contemporary music genres. 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: compose lyric and melodic components for ensemble arrangements.
  • ULO3: apply reflexive strategies for collaborative and solo musical projects.
  • ULO4: research and analyse stylistic exercises that employ appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
  • ULO5: demonstrate or identify through critical listening a range of stylistic nuances in singing.
  • ULO6: apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.

General Assessment Information

Assessment

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, Performed and/or Recorded Submissions

No songs that have been performed or analysed for assessments in other units may be used for assessment tasks in this unit.

All assessment tasks have both written and performed/presented components. All written components for assessment tasks must be submitted through Turnitin by the due date/time shown. 

Students will be required to provide an instrumental backing track in a suitable key if performing with a track for assessment. 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 the backing track used for assessment purposes (i.e., it should be instrumental accompaniment only). 

Students may also accompany themselves or have one accompanist (piano or guitar). 

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 assessment time for the Song Project. 

Referencing Style

For all written work, students are required to use the APA 7th referencing style for all in-text referencing, reference lists and spoken introductions. This also includes references for recorded material as appropriate.

Please use the Library databases for your own research purposes and do not use Wikipedia as a reference.

Recording of Assessed Performances

Due to copyright issues, no practical assessments (group or solo) may be recorded or posted on social media by students in either audio or video format.

Return of marked work

Formal and informal feedback will be issued throughout the session.

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. Please ensure that these are legitimate sites (e.g., artist's websites).

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 23:55. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Musical Style Exercises 15% No Written 21/08 by 23:55; Practical Week 5 Tutorials on 22/08
Composing and Arranging 35% No Written 29/09 by 23:55; Group Prac. Week 10 Lecture on 10/10
Song Project 50% No Written 17/10 by 23:55; Practical in Week 13 TBC

Musical Style Exercises

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Written 21/08 by 23:55; Practical Week 5 Tutorials on 22/08
Weighting: 15%

 

Students research, select and document a range of style related vocal exercises suited to their individual goals. The exercises differentiate between those for warming and cooling down the voice, and focus on those for individual vocal and stylistic development. In addition to performing exercises, students are required to submit a fully referenced outline of their vocal exercises and their relation to musical styles. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
  • research and analyse stylistic exercises that employ appropriate vocal technique and vocal health/care strategies.
  • apply academic conventions in writing and referencing.

Composing and Arranging

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Written 29/09 by 23:55; Group Prac. Week 10 Lecture on 10/10
Weighting: 35%

 

For this assessment, students are required to individually write lyrics and compose a melody to a group theme consistent with a 12 bar blues structure. Collectively, students structure a musical arrangement of those segments for performance. Students are also required to submit their individual lyric segments. Each group will engage in a viva voce component. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • engage in, and maintain, vocal practice.
  • compose lyric and melodic components for ensemble arrangements.
  • apply reflexive strategies for collaborative and solo musical projects.

Song Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Written 17/10 by 23:55; Practical in Week 13 TBC
Weighting: 50%

 

Students are required to research, analyse and musically communicate two contrasting songs through an individual performance OR a formal presentation. In both options, students are required to discuss the style, composition and arrangement of their songs. They will also detail the vocal nuances that are evident in the songs. The performance or formal presentation must be delivered from memory, that is, no reading of lyrics or scripts is permitted. As part of this assessment, students are required to submit a fully referenced project outline, together with song analyses, that collectively reflect unit content, individual research and preparation processes. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply reflexive strategies for collaborative and solo musical projects.
  • demonstrate or identify through critical listening a range of stylistic nuances in singing.
  • 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

Lectures will commence in Week 1. Tutorials will commence in Week 2.

Tutorial activities and vocal learning

Tutorial activities will include a variety of tasks, instructions, practice and group performance work. Students will undertake the majority of their vocal practice at home including the practice of vocal exercises, and learning/practicing songs.

Students will be formed into groups to complete Assessment Task 2 (Composing and Arranging). Group members will all be part of the same tutorial group. Tutorials will be used to discuss strategies to construct ensemble performances. The performed component of this task will need to be completed as a compiled video recording. Details will be discussed in online zoom tutorials.

Required Readings and Resources

Required readings are available through Leganto.

Set singing exercises are available on iLearn.

Vocal Health and Care

Students should bring bottled room temperature water to all tutorials. Students are requested to advise their tutor of any vocal health issues.

Technologies used and required

A computer and Internet access are required. Music playback facility is also required.

Individual Learning and Group Work

Due to the practical, interactive and group components of this unit, students are encouraged to read the essential readings prior to engaging in the weekly lectures, to conduct individual research and to work on vocal development progressively throughout the semester. Students therefore need to devise a progressive schedule that enables research and regular practice

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook