Higher National Unit Specification General information Unit title: Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) Unit code: J0N0 35 Superclass: AA Publication date: August 2018 Source: Scottish Qualifications Authority Version: 02 Unit purpose This unit is designed for learners to explore forms, styles or genres of music in which they have a personal interest within the context of an academic project. Suitable topics may include forms of world music, historical genres or simply styles of special interest. This unit is aimed at learners who wish to develop their understanding of music and/or wish to undertake further study at higher education level. Outcomes On successful completion of the unit the learner will be able to: 1 Select and research musical, social and cultural features of a chosen genre or style. 2 Present and reference a music research project. 3 Demonstrate musical concepts from research. Credit points and level 1 Higher National Unit credit at SCQF level 8 (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8) Recommended entry to the unit While entry is at the discretion of the centre, it would be beneficial if learners have completed, or are working towards the Music Theory (SCQF level 7), Music History: Genres, Record Labels and Artists (SCQF level 7) and Music First Study: Instrument (SCQF level 7) units. J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 1 Higher National Unit Specification: General information (cont) Unit title: Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) Core Skills Achievement of this Unit gives automatic certification of the following Core Skills component: Complete Core Skill None Core Skill component Planning and Organising at SCQF level 6 There are also opportunities to develop aspects of Core Skills which are highlighted in the Support Notes of this Unit specification. Context for delivery This is an optional unit in the framework for HN Music. It is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the subject area of the group award to which it contributes. The Assessment Support Pack (ASP) for this unit provides assessment and marking guidelines that exemplify the national standard for achievement. It is a valid, reliable and practicable assessment. Centres wishing to develop their own assessments should refer to the ASP to ensure a comparable standard. A list of existing ASPs is available to download from SQA’s website (http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/46233.2769.html). For learners undertaking the HN Music Group Award the assessments for this unit may be integrated with: J01K 34 Music First Study: Instrument (SCQF level 7) J01L 34 Music Theory (SCQF level 7) J01R 35 Music First Study: Instrument (SCQF level 8) J0MX 35 Music Theory (SCQF level 8) Equality and inclusion This unit specification has been designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to learning or assessment. The individual needs of learners should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment methods or considering alternative evidence. Further advice can be found on our website www.sqa.org.uk/assessmentarrangements. J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 2 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards Unit title: Music Research Project (SCQF level 8) Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the unit specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. Outcome 1 Select and research musical, social and cultural features of a chosen genre or style. Knowledge and/or skills Locating and selecting relevant complex information Musical, social and cultural features of the chosen genre or style Significant developments Contribution of significant exponents Referencing for research Outcome 2 Present and reference a music research project. Knowledge and/or skills Organising and structuring presentation Effective musical material and visual aids Presentation of musical, social and cultural elements Explanation of musical features Using evidence to support presentation Outcome 3 Demonstrate musical concepts from research. Knowledge and/or skills Technique appropriate to instrument Sensitivity to chosen music Stylistic features of chosen music Composers’ intentions J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 3 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Unit title: Music Research Project (SCQF level 8) Evidence requirements for this unit Outcome 1 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can: select a style or genre of music. research and discuss musical, social and cultural features of a chosen genre or style. research and discuss number of significant developments within the chosen style or genre. research the contribution of significant exponents of the chosen style or genre. reference research. Written and/or oral evidence gathered under open-book conditions should be retained. Outcome 1 will assess the preparation for Outcome 2 and could take the form of a portfolio or comprehensive notes for a presentation. Outcome 2 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can: present research on chosen genre/style of music. structure a presentation effectively. present information effectively on musical, social and cultural elements of the genre/style of music. explain the key musical features found in the genre/style of music. effectively use visual and musical material to support elements and features. Written and/or oral evidence gathered under open-book conditions should be retained along with an assessor’s observation checklist. Video evidence of the presentation should be retained along with a copy of the presentation which may contain links to audio excerpts. Outcome 3 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills showing that they can: demonstrate the stylistic features of the chosen style/genre of music. demonstrate concepts appropriate to the composer’s intentions. perform the stylistic features of the chosen style/genre of music. use appropriate technique for the chosen style/genre of music. J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 4 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Unit title: Music Research Project (SCQF level 8) Performance evidence will be gathered under open-book conditions and should be retained along with an assessor’s observation checklist and high-quality video and audio recordings. Outcome 3 will demonstrate the musical and stylistic features through performance by the learner. This outcome can be assessed individually however it will need to follow the information and detail presented in Outcome 2. The performances can take place individually or as part of an ensemble. A successful performance will include a minimum of four concepts and the total duration will be approximately 8–10 minutes. J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 5 Higher National Unit Support Notes Unit title: Music Research Project (SCQF level 8) Unit support notes are offered as guidance and are not mandatory. While the exact time allocated to this unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional design length is 40 hours. Guidance on the content and context for this unit It is intended by undertaking this unit that learners will gain experience of research techniques, presenting evidence and performance skills. Although the unit can be stand alone, it is expected that the unit can build on learner’s knowledge and skills from undertaking the Music History: Genres, Record Labels and Artists (SCQF level 7) or Music History (SCQF level 8) units. Learners will be expected to demonstrate the ability to research and synthesize information then present the structured information and perform musical features. There are three outcomes for this unit. Outcome 1 examines the learner’s ability to research, identify and detail relevant information regarding a specific musical genre or style. The learner will prepare written notes or a portfolio with appropriate references for the information to prepare for a presentation on the topic. As such the learner could have a plethora of information which can be refined to the chosen detail to present for Outcome 2. Outcome 2 examines the relevant information through the form of a presentation which will include relevant audio and visual material to support the information being presented. Outcome 3 examines the learner’s ability to perform specific features of the chosen style/genre that the learner has identified. The unit is aligned to elements of the Creative and Cultural Skillset, National Occupational Standards (NOS): CCSMPR24 Perform music CCSMPR34 Develop your musicality CCSMPR42 Sight read music CCSMPR39 Apply music theory knowledge CCSMPR28 Perform in a musical ensemble CCSCA19 Use presentation software J0N0 35, Music: Research Project (SCQF level 8) 6 Higher National Unit Support Notes (cont) Unit title: Music Research Project (SCQF level 8) Guidance on approaches to delivery of this unit Learners will choose a style or genre of music. It would be useful for learners to be exposed to a variety of styles and genres with which they are unfamiliar and which contain sufficient scope for research. It may be useful for the tutor to provide a pool of genres or styles from which the learner selects one; this could ensure that any genres or styles that the learner chooses is comparable in scope. It would be expected that the environment for presentation and performance is the same or of a comparable standard for all learners and that any presentation and performance evidence be filmed on a high-quality format. The unit itself is a mixture of written and practical tasks. Leaners should be encouraged to research effectively and reference thoroughly prior to moving on to the presentation and performance. The unit may work well utilising team teaching methods, with one tutor engaging learners on the written and research aspects and another working on the performance elements on the instrument of choice.