Stream

Music Creative Practice - MUSCE13458

Stream Summary

Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science

School: School of the Arts and Media

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Program: 3458 - Music / Advanced Science

Award(s):

Bachelor of Music (Major)

Information valid for students commencing 2013.
Students who commenced prior to 2013 should go to the Handbook's Previous Editions

Stream Outline

The Music Creative Practice Stream enables students to develop excellence in performance or composition as preparation for professional work in areas as diverse as music performance, arranging and composition, music studio teaching, practice-based research, broadcasting and recording, music journalism, and arts administration. Graduates may also pursue further qualifications in music education.

Students complete a common first year and begin the Music Creative Practice Stream in the second year of study. The performance or composition specialisation is supported by a variety of large and small, Western and Non-Western Music ensembles as well as extensive opportunities for developing musicianship, critical skills, and theoretical knowledge. Practical and creative skills are largely developed through the Performance Laboratory strand, which embraces various components: private instruction (in performance specialization or composition), studio-based seminars, performance ensemble, and concert practice. Performance Laboratory provides a space for instructional learning in private and group situations, for observational and experiential learning in workshops and formal performance settings, and for experimental learning in environments that emphasize the development of creativity and individuality.

Under individual guidance, Directed Study encourages curiosity, initiative and life-long learning through the design and completion of a practice-led or community-based project. Professional Practices introduces business and marketing skills, career-planning, private studio operation, music administration and event management, which are essential for graduates entering the music profession. In addition to these courses, Music Creative Practice students will be required to undertake comprehensive musicological, theoretical and critical study through a sequence of BMus core courses. If admitted, at the fourth-year Honours level, students will be required to complete one of two options: 1. a Faculty-wide seminar, a practice- or creative-based project or research project, and a short Thesis, or 2. a Faculty-wide seminar, a course on music research method, and a Thesis.

The Music Creative Practice Stream is one of four streams within the Bachelor of Music (UNSW BMus) four-year, full time degree. This Stream offers intensive pre-professional training in performance or composition in a self-selected musical style or tradition, including Jazz and World Music, through the Performance Laboratory courses.

Graduate Attributes

At the end of the stream, students should have acquired all of the following graduate attributes:
  1. The skills involved in scholarly enquiry, such as information literacy, critical analysis, and writing.
  2. An in-depth engagement with discipline-specific knowledge, such as Instrumental or vocal performance, composition, score reading and writing skills, inner hearing, repertoire knowledge, and performance practice.
  3. Demonstrate an ability to adapt knowledge and performance skills in diverse musical contexts.
  4. Capacity for analytical and critical thinking and for creative problem-solving through practical music studies.
  5. Information literacy - the skills to locate, evaluate and use relevant information.
  6. The capacity for enterprise, initiative and creativity, developed primarily through opportunities for performing and/or composing, and being involved in concert organizing and musical leadership.
  7. An appreciation of, and respect for, diversity through participation in and study of diverse musical practices and values.
  8. High levels of oral and written communication, supported with discipline-based forms of communication such as scores and music performance.
  9. Skills required for collaboration and contribution to the international community are developed through individual instrumental or vocal performance, composition, ensemble performances and the study of diverse musical styles and practices.
  10. Respect for ethical practice and social responsibility are fostered through links with the music industry and music communities and discussions of professional practices in theory and practice alike.
  11. Identify and formulate solutions to performance problems with intellectual and aesthetic independence.

Stream Structure

The Music Creative Practice Stream comprises of 144 uoc as follows:

Level 1

Level 2
  • MUSC2116 Sound, Society & Self in World Music (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2601 Advanced Studies in Music History and Culture 1 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2602 Materials and Structures of Music 3 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2603 Materials and Structures of Music 4 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2701 Performance Laboratory 3 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2702 Performance Laboratory 4 (6 UOC)

Level 3
  • MUSC3601 Advanced Studies in Music History and Culture 2 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3701 Performance Laboratory 5 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3702 Performance Laboratory 6 (6 UOC)
Stream gateway course:
  • MUSC3602 Professional Practices (6 UOC)
Electives:
  • Prescribed Stream elective (6 UOC)
  • Prescribed music elective (6 UOC)

Level 4 (Pass)
  • MUSC4701 Performance Laboratory 7 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4702 Performance Laboratory 8 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4703 Performance Laboratory 9 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4601 Directed Study (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3101 Music Capstone (6 UOC)
Electives:
  • Prescribed music elective (6 UOC)

Level 4 (Honours)

For practice focused candidates
  • List A Faculty-wide seminar (6 UOC)
  • Practice-based Project (composition portfolio, project or recital) (24 UOC)
  • Thesis (18 UOC)
OR

For research focused candidates
  • List A Faculty-wide seminar (6 UOC)
  • Music research seminar (12 UOC)
  • Thesis (30 UOC)
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