Southampton Solent University

BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance Assessment Brief

Assessment Details
Unit Title: Composing
Unit Code: MPM539
Unit Leader: Patrick Ainsworth
Level: FEHQ 5
Assessment Title: Band Composition
Assessment Number: AE2
Assessment Type: Coursework
Restrictions on Time/Length: 2 4 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual (written work) Group (composition)
Assessment Weighting: 50%
Issue Date: 3th March 2014
Hand In Date: Week 14 May 13th 4pm
Planned Feedback Date: 4 weeks
Mode of Submission: Written work plus recording
Number of copies to be submitted: 1 per student

Assessment Tasks

Task 1
Create an original composition with your University band.
The composition must be between 2 and 4 minutes in length
All members of the band must contribute to the composition. It is expected you will
use the song in a day part of SMILE week as a first full band workshop.
After SMILE week, the piece must be rehearsed to performance standard
All members of the band must have a part in the final performance
An audio and/or video recording will be made of the final performance of the piece
A group mark will be given for this task.

Task 2
Produce a 700 word analytical commentary explaining the composition and arranging
techniques used in the piece including the following:
A statement of intent
Explanation and analysis of composition and arranging theories and techniques used
A summary of your own contributions to the piece
An examination of style and genre
An evaluation of the final piece

Assessment criteria
See table below.

Learning Outcomes
This assessment will enable students to demonstrate in full or in part the learning
outcomes identified in the unit descriptors.

1
Extenuating Circumstances
The Universitys Extenuating Circumstances procedures are in place if there are genuine
circumstances that may have affected your academic performance. Remember however
you need to be fit to study; this means that you can either submit your assessed work or
declare extenuating circumstances, but you cannot do both.

A summary of guidance notes for students is given below:

http://blade2-5.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/rns?RNSExact=ASQS/PPG/1234570925

Academic Misconduct
Any submissions must be your own work and, where facts or ideas have been used from
other sources, these sources must be appropriately referenced. The Universitys Academic
Handbook, includes the definitions of all practices that will be deemed to constitute
academic misconduct. You should check this link before submitting your work.

Procedures relating to student academic misconduct are given below:

http://blade2-5.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/rns?RNSExact=ASQS/PPG/1234570157

Ethics Policy
The work being carried out by the student must be in compliance with the Ethics Policy.
Where there is an ethical issue, as specified within the Ethics Policy, then the student will
need an ethics release or an ethical approval prior to the start of the project.

2
Mark
A1 A4
The work is of excellent quality,
exceeding expectations for this level
in most or all aspects.
B1 B3
The work meets all of the intended
learning outcomes and exceeds the
threshold expectations for this level
in many of them.
C1 C3
The work meets all of the intended
learning outcomes and exceeds the
threshold expectations for the level
in some of them.
D1 D 3
The work meets all of the intended
learning outcomes but rarely exceeds
the threshold for this level.
F1 F4
The work fails to meet several/most
of the intended learning outcomes
and is inadequate for this level.
Task 1 (80% weighting)
An exceptional level of creativity is
evident; a composition of professional
quality containing many original ideas
is produced.
A high level of creativity is evident and
a high quality composition containing
some original ideas is created.
A moderate level of creativity is
evident and there is some clear control
of musical resources and a viable
composition is created.
Little creativity is evident, there is
limited control of musical resources,
but the composition has some musical
viability.
The composition is not a viable musical
product.
Task 2 (20% weighting)
Creative and resourceful mode of
presentation with a highly developed
writing style.
Secure and thorough grasp of concepts
and theories, including their
applications and implications.
A readable style of presentation that
demonstrates a very competent writing
style.
Thorough understanding of concepts and
theories, including their applications
and implications.
A competent style of presentation
that communicates ideas reasonably well.
Reasonable understanding of most of the
relevant concepts/theories, with some
ability to deal with their applications
and implications.
An adequate style of presentation that
simply communicates a limited range of
ideas in an understandable manner.
Adequate understanding of the main
concepts/theories, with limited ability
to deal with their applications and
implications.
Presentation is inadequate and poor
writing style.
Conceptual and theoretical
understanding inadequate with many
errors, with failure to deal with their
applications and implications.