Jazz - BMus

This module lies at the heart of the course and of the learning experience for students on the BMus (Hons) Jazz. It is the second of a suite of principal study modules taken across the four years of the course and as such, it is therefore the next stage in realizing course aims 1, 2 and 4 (Pursuing excellence; practice-led, knowledge applied; employability) in preparing musicians for the profession; nurturing their creativity as performers; and developing high standards of musicianship and technique.

The module provides students with the opportunity to explore and develop their creative musicianship in the context of performance, and technical skills in relation to the jazz aural tradition. To learn and develop as a performer, an aspiring jazz musician needs regular playing opportunities that provide a forum for group improvisation. They also need contact with a mentor to help develop techniques and improvisatory language and need inspiration through example by leading performers in the field (aim 1. Pursuing excellence).
Essential to the culture and community of jazz music is the standard repertoire. This allows individual performers to share a common language with many other musicians and also provides a fundamental foundation in learning how to address forms (aim 2. Practice led, knowledge applied), elements that are addressed in preparing for the end-of year performance exam.

A central tenet of the course philosophy is the development of informed jazz musicians. This module recognises the need for jazz musicians to have a highly developed approach to creativity reinforced by a thorough grasp of musical techniques and theories which are realized in practice through composition and improvisation. In this module students have the opportunity to build upon the knowledge and skills gained in the Praxis 1 module and acquire further proficiencies in composition and improvisation which are essential for the aspiring jazz musician (aim 4: employability). The nature of the small-band work promotes the development of personal and interpersonal skills with particular reference to the cooperative and collaborative environment of the music profession and encourages students to develop a view of jazz as an international discipline with important links to numerous world cultures (aim 5: internationalization).

A central tenet of the course philosophy is the development of informed jazz musicians. This module contributes to this through the exploration and development of an in-depth knowledge of the key moments in the history of jazz. Students will employ listening skills and analytical skills to understand musical processes historically, socially and technically and to articulate their musical understanding and develop their own insights in both written form and through oral presentation.

This module contributes to the delivery of course aims 1 and 2: pursuing excellence through a wider knowledge of jazz history and developing skills to employ knowledge-applied research, which will in turn inform the student’s own musical practice. Alongside guidance from the lecturer, each student define their own specialist topic for the proposal and presentation, thus enabling them to develop as informed practitioners within their discipline, cultivating an appreciation of key historical concepts and analytical processes to enrich performance and composition. It also contributes to course aim 5, Internationalization, in exposing students to a range of research practices and musicological approaches that encourage a broad, global outlook, and to aim 4, Employability, in the development of core research, writing and presentation skills, including PowerPoint as required.

The course’s primary aim, central to its philosophy, is to equip students for a career in the music profession. Many Conservatoire graduates will teach as part of their professional life, and in the second year of the course you will study the pedagogical aspects of your principal-study discipline as an important aspect of preparing you for the profession. This will equip you with additional skills which are likely to prove useful in your future musical career [aim 4: employability]

Through devising and improvisation, the module also promotes an open and enquiring attitude to areas of music with which you may not already be familiar [aim 5: internationalisation].  This not only cultivates creativity for your performing and composing work: the materials and approaches used in the workshops contribute to a ‘toolkit’ of teaching strategies needed by successful educators in the 21st century [aim 2: practice-led, knowledge-applied].

This module lies at the heart of the course and of the learning experience for students on the BMus (Hons) Jazz. It is the third of a suite of principal study modules taken across the four years of the course and as such, it is therefore the next stage in realizing course aims 1, 2 and 4 (Pursuing excellence; practice-led, knowledge applied; employability) in preparing musicians for the profession; nurturing their creativity as performers; and developing high standards of musicianship and technique.

The module provides students with the opportunity to explore and develop their creative musicianship in the context of performance, and technical skills in relation to the jazz aural tradition. The process of acquiring a musical identity as a jazz performer is developed primarily through gaining experience of performing in the small band situation. In this module the student takes the role of leader of a group of improvising musicians and is required to choose his/ her own repertoire and personnel for the band (aim 1. Pursuing excellence). This is a great challenge that requires a sophisticated range of skills and a developing artistic sensibility. The process of working towards end-of-year performance provides the creative space in which the aspiring jazz performer has the opportunity to draw on their musical knowledge to experiment with different musical concepts, both in rehearsal and in performance, get constructive critical feedback from peers to facilitate reflection and instigate change and further development (aim 2. Practice-led, knowledge applied). 

A central pillar of the course philosophy is the development of informed jazz musicians.

The current professional landscape dictates that practitioners require a broad skills base in multiple areas as: performers, composers and project instigators. Students are therefore encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial, enterprising, independent and professional approaches (aim 1: pursuing excellence; aim 4: employability).

As such, this module aligns two central components of: recording and composition/arranging. These two elements result in the production of both a studio recording project portfolio and a composition/arrangement portfolio. This offers the opportunity for students to arrange one piece for nonet, compose one piece for big band and perform and record one free choice piece for small ensemble. The portfolio will therefore include three recorded works (ca.15mins) and associated materials.

Artistic and creative qualities need to be developed alongside a pragmatic and realistic understanding of the music industry (aim 1: Pursuing excellence). Aspiring jazz musicians need experience and understanding of the means of projecting creative outputs into the public domain both for commercial returns and for the development of artist profile within the cultural landscape (aim 2: Practice led, knowledge applied)

This module provides experience in music promotion, which can take place in the context of either live performance events or publishing creative outputs via digital media (aim 3: Interdisciplinarity). Both aspects will involve developing an understanding of how to use digital media for marketing, distribution and promotion processes and their associated professional and legal practices. (aim 4. Employability).

The ability to work collaboratively in a team is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries. This module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create a group project with students from complementary disciplines.

This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by an external client/ agency, in consultation with your supervisor, and it could be a ‘real life’ problem to be solved, or a simulation. It is an opportunity for you to engage in a professional manner with an aspect of your subject area, which contributes to the development of employability skills within the supportive infrastructure of the University. Where appropriate, the project may involve interdisciplinary collaboration with students from other courses. In this way, it reflects the collaborative, flexible nature of employment within the Creative Industries.

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and ADM Careers+.

In Year 4, all students will select a total of 120 credits which must include at least 80 and no more than 100 credits from List A and at least 20 and no more than 40 credits from list B.

List A

• Principal Study 4: 40 credits
• Principal Study 4: 60 credits
• Final Project: 40 credits
• Final Project: 60 credits
• Major Project: 40 credits

List B

• Further Pedagogy: 20 credits
• Music, Community and Wellbeing: 20 credits
• Language of Music: Specialisms 2: 20 credits
• Contextual Studies: Specialisms 2: 20 credits
• Professional Development: 20 credits
• Work Placement: 20 credits