MCGY2004 Aural Perception 3

Coordinator: Dr. Daniel Rojas

daniel.rojas@sydney.edu.au

Consultation times:
Semester 1, 2019
Wednesday 12:30-1:30pm, Room 2074

Introduction and Rationale for this unit of study:

The Aural Perception (AP) course aims to promote an understanding of the elements of music
and of the way these elements function in musical structures, through the development of
practical skills in connecting musical sound and notation. It aims to develop a student's skills in
aural perception to the level required of a music professional through exercises in aural analysis
(by way of dictation) and aural imagination (by way of Solfège work).

The materials studied in AP3 centre on the simple chromatic vocabulary of classical Western
tonality. There is an emphasis on the aural perception and understanding of harmonic structures.
While study materials will be examined mostly within these stylistic contexts, the issues raised are
applicable to other historical and cultural contexts.

Aims and Learning Outcomes:

The materials studied in AP3 are primarily, those of classical Western tonality. While they will be
examined mostly within these stylistic contexts, the issues raised are applicable to other historical
and cultural contexts. By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• accurately notate the pitch, rhythm and harmony of music sound examples that use the
specified vocabulary, to the standard set out in relevant units of the course textbook (Lab).
• accurately vocalise the pitch, rhythm and harmony of notated music examples that use the
specified vocabulary, using solmisation syllables where appropriate (Solfège).
• analyse Western art music repertoire examples from a foundational knowledge of classical
Western tonality (Lab).
• evaluate and refine transcription strategies through the process of reflective annotation (Lab).


Contribution to University of Sydney graduate qualities:

The above aims and learning outcomes relate to the following graduate qualities of a University of
Sydney graduate:

Graduate qualities
Depth of disciplinary expertise • accurately notate the pitch, rhythm
and harmony of music sound
examples that use the specified
vocabulary, to the standard set out
in relevant units of the course
textbook (Lab).

• accurately vocalise the pitch,

rhythm and harmony of notated
music examples that use the
specified vocabulary, using
solmisation syllables where
appropriate (Solfège).

• analyse Western art music

repertoire examples from a
foundational knowledge of
eighteenth and nineteenth century
Western tonal practice and
twentieth century post-tonal
practice (Lab).

Broader skills: • evaluate and refine

transcription strategies
• Critical thinking and problem solving through the process of
• Communication skills (oral and written)
• Inventiveness – respond creatively to
reflective annotation (Lab).
novel problems

Cultural competence – work effectively with

cultures different from your own • analyse Western art music
repertoire examples from a
foundational knowledge of
eighteenth and nineteenth century
Western tonal practice and
twentieth century post-tonal
practice (Lab).

Interdisciplinary effectiveness – work effectively

with others studying in different field(s) from you • analyse Western art music
repertoire examples from a
foundational knowledge of
eighteenth and nineteenth century
Western tonal practice and
twentieth century post-tonal
practice (Lab).

Mandatory or recommended prior learning

Students enrolling in this unit of study must previously have completed MCGY1003 Aural
Perception 2.

Outline of curriculum:

The teaching format of this unit of study is:

• one Lab tutorial

• one Solfège tutorial

Students must attend both tutorials each week.

Lab tutorial groups are streamed. You have been allocated to a class on the basis of your lab
marks last semester. If you have any questions regarding your streaming, see the Aural
Perception Co-ordinator, Dr Daniel Rojas, room 2074 or email daniel.rojas@sydney.edu.au as
soon as possible.

Solfège classes are allocated automatically by the University’s timetabling system. If you wish to
change your Solfège time, you can do so online until the end of the first week of classes,
at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au. Changes to Lab times can only be made in exceptional
circumstances such as an unresolvable clash with another timetabled class, and can only be done
through the Aural Perception Co-ordinator, Dr Daniel Rojas, room 2074.

Weekly attendance at both tutorials is compulsory. Please see the Attendance Requirements
below; failure to comply will result in an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Materials:

Please ensure you have access to the following materials and bring these to class:

• Gary S. Karpinski, Manual for Ear Training and Sight Singing. New York: Norton, 2007.
• Gary S. Karpinski and Richard Kram, Anthology for Sight Singing. New York: Norton, 2007.

Note that these are the original editions of these Karpinski texts and not the recent 2nd edition.

There are a limited number of copies in the Conservatorium Library available on short loan.

You are also required to bring an A4 music manuscript book for class work and homework
exercises.

Schedule:

See the Unit of Study Canvas Site.

Minimum learning commitments:

Minimum expected student commitments are laid out in the Learning and Teaching Policy, though
these can be adjusted by individual faculties as required.

As this is a 3 credit point unit of study, it is expected that the student commitment is 4.5-6
hours per week, averaged out over the semester.

Attendance requirements:

As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions,

http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 12):

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study,
unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned.
The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student
fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion,
they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Assessment:

The following assessment tasks and due dates for this unit of study are as follows:

Assessment title: Weekly Lab Homework

Assessment type and category: Exam: Final Exam worth 30% or more
• In-class Assessment: Small continuous assessment worth <30%

Description of assessment: Lab homework consists mainly of dictation exercises found in the
Listening section at the end of most chapters of the Manual for Ear Training and Sight Singing,
though other exercises may also be set. Specific exercises will be assigned each week by your
tutor.

Exam/Quiz type:
• N/A
Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:
• Individual work Word length or equivalent: 800 words
equivalent

Percentage contribution of this assessment %15

to the final mark:
Due date and time: Lab homework is due at the start of your
lab tutorial every week.

Assessment title: Transcription Assignment

Assessment type and category:
• Submitted work: Assignment such as essay, report, literature review proposal, portfolio

Description of assessment: This assignment consists of transcribing and analysing an

extended harmonic excerpt.

Exam/Quiz type: N/A

Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:
• Individual work Word length or equivalent:
• Approx. equivalence 800 words
Percentage contribution of this assessment %15
to the final mark:
Due date and time: 13 May, 2019 at 23:59

Assessment title: Final Lab Exam (during exam period)

Assessment type and category:
• Exam: Final Exam worth 30% or more

Description of assessment: This exam will test the skills learned and developed during
your Lab tutes. You will answer questions according to recorded excerpts.

Exam/Quiz type:
• Final exam
•
Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:
• Individual work Final exam duration:
• 1 hour

Percentage contribution of this assessment 30%

to the final mark:
Due date and time: During Exam Period

Assessment title: Solfege Class Assessments

Assessment type and category:
• In-class Assessment: Tutorial quiz, small quiz or online task worth <30%

Description of assessment: Tutor will assign various tasks for the student to prepare for the
following tutorial, e.g., singing melodies, chord progressions, and conducting, reciting rhythms,
etc.

Exam/Quiz type:
• Tutorial quiz, small test or online task

Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:

• Individual work Word length or equivalent:
• N/A
Percentage contribution of this assessment 15%
to the final mark:
Due date and time: Solfege homework will be performed (sung,
recited, clapped etc.) at the start of your
solfege tutorial every week.

Assessment title: Solfege Examination

Assessment type and category:
• Skills-based Assessment: Skills-based evaluation

Description of assessment: Each student takes an individual face-to-face test with an

examiner during exam week. Sign-on sheets offering a range of test times will be posted in the
last week of classes. It is your responsibility to sign up for a test at a time which does not
conflict with your scheduled written exams, and to attend at the time for which you signed up.

Exam/Quiz type:
• Final exam

Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:

• Individual work Word length or equivalent:
Final exam duration:
• 10 minutes
Percentage contribution of this assessment 25%
to the final mark:
Due date and time: During Exam Week – Please Check
Musicology Noticeboard during the final
week of classes.

Assessment title: The Con Sings – Special Projects Week

Assessment type and category:
• In-class Assessment: Participation

Description of assessment: A directed sight-singing session utilising skills and concepts

developed in AP.
Exam/Quiz type:
• N/A
Individual or group work assessment: Length / duration:
• Group work • N/A
Percentage contribution of this assessment Pass/Fail (present or absent)
to the final mark:
Due date and time: Scheduled during Special Projects Week

Assessment Criteria:

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Fail: (Below 50%) Work not of acceptable standard.

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing;
irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it
cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or
overlong word length.

Pass: (50%-64%) Work of acceptable standard.

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material;
tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable
attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in
particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question;
acceptable documentation.

Credit: (65%-74%) Highly competent work demonstrating potential for higher

study.
Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical
evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some
evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some
evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Distinction: (75%-84%) Work of superior standard.

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex
understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying
assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical
contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some
signs of literary style.

High Distinction: (85%-100%) Work of exceptional standard.

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical
analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of
reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and
assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Assessment criteria for assessments in this unit of study can be found in the LMS in the
appropriate folder.

Assessed work will be marked according to these criteria.

Academic Honesty:

All assessed work in this unit of study is subject to the University’s Academic Honesty in
Coursework Policy. Any breaches of this policy will be investigated and followed through
according to University policy and procedures.

Please also see the University’s page on Academic Honesty for Students, which includes links to
the online academic honesty module.

If you are unfamiliar with academic honesty requirements, please contact the Educational Integrity
Coordinator of the Conservatorium, Dr. Narelle Yeo narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au

Text-matching Software:

All text-based assignments at the University of Sydney must be submitted through the
LMS using Turnitin. Text-based assignments may only be submitted online. Such assignments
may not be emailed to lecturers, nor printed out and handed in.

. Students should note that all written assignments in this unit of study will be submitted to
similarity detecting software and scrutinised for academic honesty by markers. The
software and the markers will detect material taken from published sources or the
internet, other external sources, other students, or the student’s own work previously
submitted for assessment in this or another Unit of Study, or at another institution. 


Special Consideration:

The University's assessment system is designed to ensure that conditions are fair to all students,
are as consistent as possible and that individual students are not disadvantaged by adverse
personal circumstances beyond their control or by the activities of other students.

Generally, serious illness, injury or misadventure will be taken into account when considering a
student’s performance in a course or unit of study.

More information on Special Consideration, including the online form, is available through MyUni
or at: http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/special_consideration/index.shtml

Simple extensions are an informal arrangement between a student and a unit of study
coordinator to permit late submission of work. The Unit of Study coordinator may approve a
request, though it must be in writing, and for a maximum of 2 days. Please see the following:
http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/special_consideration/eligible.shtml

Late submission of work:

As per the University’s Assessment Procedures 2011 policy, Clause 7A,

http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0:

(1) It is expected that unless an application for Special Consideration has been approved,
students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified, by
11.59pm. If the assessment is completed or submitted within the period of extension,
no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment.

(2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the
extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic
penalty as follows:

A penalty of 5% of the maximum mark will be applied per calendar day the assessment is late.

After 10 calendar days, mark of zero is given for that assessment.

Appeals:

Student appeals against a grade for assessed work should be made in relation to the University
of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule
http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/253&RendNum=0
in particular, Part 3: Procedures for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework Students.

As per clause 3.1.1, any student who believes that there are genuine grounds for contesting an
academic decision should first discuss his or her concerns with the relevant teacher or unit of
study co-ordinator.

As per clause 3.1.2, any such discussions should most usually take place within:
(a) 15 working days of the student being advised of the academic decision; or
(b) within 15 working days of the result being posted by the University in the case of
academic decisions relating to the completion of a unit of study.

As per clause 3.1.3, the teacher or unit of study co-ordinator will address the Student’s concerns
promptly, and provide to the Student a full explanation of the reasons for the Academic Decision.

If this process does not resolve the student’s concerns, there are further appeals process, details
of which can be found in the Policy document referenced above.

Expectations relating to conduct:

The Student Code of Conduct for all students at the University of Sydney is available through the
MyUni portal. Students are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct and be aware of its
contents.

Disability Services:

The University is committed to supporting students to achieve their best possible results. The
University’s Disability Services offer a range of services and adjustments to minimise the impact
of any disability on your learning experience and to optimise your academic success.
Please see: http://sydney.edu.au/study/academic-support/disability-support.html for more
information and to register for relevant support.

University policies:

It is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with University policies, and abide by their
contents.
This includes the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy.
Up-to-date policies can be viewed at the Policy Register on the University of Sydney website.

Learning analytics:

Participation in this unit of study permits the University to use your learning analytics for the
purpose of improving your learning. This includes data from the LMS website, and the results of
the Unit of Study Survey conducted at the end of the semester.

Students should complete the Unit of Study Survey at the end of this unit of study. Comments
and survey results are confidential. Only the Unit of Study coordinator, the Associate Dean
(Education), and the Head of School and the Dean can view student comments made in this
survey.

It is essential that you complete this survey so that we can maintain the highest standards
of teaching at the SCM and the University.

Name of document author: Daniel Rojas

Date: 11 February 2019