Band European Jazz (Jasper Somsen)

Module code
M-JP-EBDEJ
Curricular domain
Practical Classes
Credits
4
Group size
Flexible group size. 4 to 12 students. Larger or smaller very occasionally possible in consultation with faculty.
Number of course weeks
30
Class duration
4 students: 40 minutes per class, 5 students: 45 minutes per class, 6 students: 50 minutes per class, 7 students: 55 minutes per class, 8 to 12 students: 65 minutes per class. Group sizes below 5 or above 12 with different class times are sometimes possible after consultation with faculty. Class time will not be adjusted after the start of the academic year due to any change in group size.
Total contact hours
32 hours
Study load
79 hours

Form / content / level

Prerequisites
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.
Competencies
See Competencies Matrix.
Aims
Acquiring and developing ensemble playing skills in repertoire of the relevant style.
Improving stage performance.
Relation to other modules
This module is related to the main subject module.
Content
In this elective we dig deep in the diverse styles and backgrounds which are gathered under the name European Jazz.
From the Nordic Jazz tradition of Scandinavia, the UK and Central European styles we descent all the way to the Mediterranean Jazz and back again. Each band will explore what's inside and composition and which cultural traditions influenced these styles. Last but not least, the essential questions: "Where are you from? What's your origin? How does your personal background relate to your playing and composing?"
The European Jazz elective is open for all instrumentalists and vocalists. Any line up is suitable for this elective.
The European Jazz classes will focus on:
1. Developing the individual voice of each band member
2. Interplay and musical dialog
3. The origin of European Jazz
4. Exploring European Jazz styles through the continent
5. Writing original compositions
6. Improvisation
7. Performance and production
Mode(s) of instruction
Band rehearsals and performances.
Material & Tools
Handed out by the instructor (where applicable).
Student activity
Generating internal publicity for the band's concerts, and selecting repertoire.

Examination and assessment

Mode(s) of assessment
Assessment by the band instructor at the end of each semester.
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, performance, active participation and attitude.
Pass requirements
The student has completed this module if being awarded a minimum grade of 5.5 at the end of the second semester.
Examination procedure
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.
Resit options
See the Education and Assessment Plan.

Module summary

This module allows the student to study European Jazz.