The course will enable students to gain professional-level experience through engaging in supervised activities and performances in a range of music and music-industry activities. This may involve performance in a professional ensemble, group or event; but may also involve working at a National Cultural Institution, working in an arts management placement, participation in a major cultural event, sound design for an industry function and studio teaching activity.   The student will have enhanced their professional practice portfolio and be able to clearly demonstrate associated employability skills.

A detailed outline for each project will be developed by the coordinating staff member in conjunction with the group, institution or industry partner. A learning contract will be developed and agreed to by all parties before semester commences.

By the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate skill development in a number of professional practice areas, such as:

1. music performance
2. music administration
3. music pedagogy
4. business skills
5. policy development

*Specific Learning Outcomes will be determined for each student before the semester commences based on placement

Each student will be required to maintain a journal of their project and develop a project summary that will demonstrate their completion of the individual learning contract.   Assessment criteria will be developed that are relevant to the project being undertaken, and reflect specific learning outcomes.  These criteria will be documented in the individual learning contract, agreed to by all parties and will be the basis of the final assessment of the project.

Some typical learning contracts (summary) are given below:

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING CONTRACT EXAMPLE 1

• completion of a reflective journal documenting the experiential learning on the project (1500 words) (30%)
• delivery of twelve half-hour instrumental lessons, supervised, with preparation and debriefing (50%)
• attendance at twelve observation lessons with contribution and reflection (10%)
• preparation of three instrumental lesson plans (10%)

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING CONTRACT EXAMPLE 2

• completion of a reflective journal documenting the experiential learning on the project (1500 words) (30%)
• under supervision, design, development an operationalisation of a marketing and publicity campaign for a music festival (50%)
• post-festival marketing analysis and audience survey (20%)

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING CONTRACT EXAMPLE 3

• completion of a reflective journal documenting the experiential learning on the project (1500 words) (30%)
• recruitment of players, development of rehearsal schedule, organisation of logistics for an opera orchestra, including making of tour arrangements (40%)
• assessed performance as rank-and-file string player in the orchestra (30%)

The course will be delivered in a variety of modes. The mode will be determined by the coordinating staff member and will reflect the professional and musical requirements of the project. In the case of a placement in a cultural institution or a teaching placement it may be for a full semester. If it relates to a specific cultural or industry project it will most commonly be in intensive mode.  Music ensemble activities will be in either mode.

It is expected that students will spend approximately 70 hours in "The professional environment".

In no case will the total learning time for the course exceed 120 hours.

Departmental consent

None