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Unit outline_

CMPN5114: Graduate Vocal Composition Workshop

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Sydney

Vocal ensembles and choirs have become an important part of Australian musical fabric, from community-based groups through to professional a cappella ensembles. This seminar aims to provide necessary skills and experiences in composing for groups of voices in an experiential learning environment. Students workshop their compositions in class, gain experience in text-setting, experiment in extended techniques. Classes focus on the literary nature of the form and analyse relevant historical examples and techniques from a diverse range of styles. Students will be able to take these skills developed in this course into future professional situations as both composers and performers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Performance/recording student works
Performance/recording of your own and other student's work.
10% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Small continuous assessment Minor composition assignments
Composition of 3 small composition assignments, as per Canvas site.
30% Multiple weeks 3-6 mins.
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Major Work (Composition)
Vocal ensemble music composition.
45% STUVAC
Due date: 14 Nov 2023 at 23:59
c. 5 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Essay
Essay
15% STUVAC
Due date: 10 Nov 2023 at 15:32
1500-2000 word essay - see Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

See Canvas site for all assessment details.

Assessment criteria

As per rubric on Canvas site.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per university policy, a penalty of 5% per day will be applied to late work up to 10 days late, after which point a grade of zero (0) will apply.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Workshopping of student compositions in non-lecture weeks (see Canvas site) Workshop (14 hr) LO1
Multiple topics - see Canvas site. Lecture (11 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

100% of class attendance expected for workshop situations. 90% of class attendance requirement for other classes. Online options are offered where possible.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. • Consider significance of historical models on contemporary composition • Deal with aspects of composing for voice • Be able to synthesize elements of vocal composition including setting of text, aspects of register and vocal sonority • Analyse themes of musical significance in vocal repertoire

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updates in teaching delivery.

See Canvas site.

Additional costs

Students are required to have a professional music notation software package such as Dorico, Finale or Sibelius. This software is available in the SCM Computer labs.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.