M-JP-EBDMQ

Practical Classes

4

5 to 12 students

30 - dependent on group size

minimum 60 minutes - maximum dependent on group size

32 hours

79 hours

Admitted to year 2 Jazz & Pop or, after audition, Composition for Film and Theatre. This subject can only be followed on-campus.

NOTE that selecting one elective band is compulsory in the second year Jazz & Pop. In years 2, 3 and 4 students Jazz & Pop can select up to two elective bands per year in total.

See Competencies Matrix.

Acquiring and developing ensemble playing skills in repertoire of the relevant style.
Improving stage performance.

This module is related to the main subject module.

This elective at ArtEZ Arnhem analyzes Michael Jackson’s solo evolution in collaboration with Quincy Jones through Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987) within pop frameworks for full band performance. Emerging from his Jackson 5 roots, Jackson pioneered disco-funk fusion, rhythmic precision, and layered production techniques.

Examine key tracks and less known songs.

Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson’s partnership began in 1978 on the film The Wiz, where Jones served as music supervisor and Jackson played the Scarecrow. This sparked their legendary collaboration on three landmark albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).
Jones acted as producer, arranger, and mentor, blending Jackson’s pop sensibilities with jazz, R&B, disco, and funk elements. Their work emphasized sophisticated orchestration, innovative layering (e.g., multiple studios for Thriller tracks like “Beat It”), and genre fusion that propelled Thriller to become the best-selling album ever.

This band is initiated by Susanne Alt. Note that we can not guarantee which teacher will lead a band, it will be clear by September.

Band rehearsals and performances.

Handed out by the instructor (where applicable).

Generating internal publicity for the band's concerts, and selecting repertoire.

Assessment by the band instructor at the end of each semester.

General criteria: creativity, improvisation, sheet music, sense of harmony, rhythmic idioms, timing and tempo control, musical interaction, intonation, reading skills, sound, interpretation, style awareness, form principles, tonal balance, preparation, accompaniment, active participation and attitude.

Performing a circa 45-minute band concert.

The student has completed this module if being awarded a minimum grade of 5.5 at the end of the second semester.

Written assessment by the instructor at the end of both semesters. Assessment at the end of the autumn semester is formative and expressed in terms of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. It indicates a student's progress in this module. No ECs are awarded and there is no resit. Modules can only be absolved, and ECs awarded, after the end of the spring semester. The end-of-semester assessments comprise evaluations of students' performance during the rehearsals and public performances.

See the Education and Assessment Plan.