KMB318 Advanced Music Practice
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KMB318 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 60cp of completed study from Music (KMB%) |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Basic knowledge of music software is assumed. Students should be at an advanced level of musicianship, and have had experience creating and producing completed compositions. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KMB318 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 60cp of completed study from Music (KMB%) |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Basic knowledge of music software is assumed. Students should be at an advanced level of musicianship, and have had experience creating and producing completed compositions. |
Overview
This capstone unit enables you to define and develop your unique artistic identity through intensive creative research and sophisticated music-making across composition, improvisation, performance, and production. You'll undertake self-directed creative projects that push genre boundaries and demonstrate professional-level artistry while mastering advanced collaborative skills and creative leadership. The unit emphasises original creative voice development, innovative approaches to music-making, and the ability to contextualise your work within contemporary cultural and industry conversations. You'll prepare for creative leadership roles through advanced project management, critical reflection, and professional presentation of original artistic work.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply an understanding of historical and contemporary cultural contexts to situate your musical creative practice in a particular field.
- Develop a personal artistic voice through the exploration of innovative musical ideas and concepts in both individual and group contexts.
- Critically reflect on your own work and that of your peers in order to manage and refine your musical creative practice and successfully communicate this to audiences.
- Apply a range of creative approaches to demonstrate your refined technical proficiency within a specific area of creative musical practice.
Content
You'll explore advanced musicianship including complex harmonic concepts, extended compositional techniques, and innovative performance practices while developing expertise in your chosen creative specialisation. Content includes case studies of influential contemporary artists, analysis of cutting-edge creative practices, and experimentation with emerging technologies and methodologies. You'll develop sophisticated collaboration skills across disciplines while maintaining your individual artistic vision. The unit covers advanced audio production techniques, multimedia integration, and contemporary approaches to music dissemination and audience engagement. Cultural and historical contexts inform your creative choices while sustainability and ethical practices guide your professional development as an artist and creative leader.
Learning Approaches
You'll work independently with faculty mentorship, developing the self-directed learning skills essential for lifelong creative practice. Advanced workshops explore specialised techniques and emerging practices, while collaborative projects connect you with fellow musicians working across diverse genres and creative approaches. Regular critical seminars develop your analytical vocabulary and peer critique skills. You'll present work-in-progress for professional feedback, simulating industry review processes and building resilience for creative careers. Portfolio development focuses on demonstrating your unique artistic voice and professional readiness as a creative practitioner.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your work in this unit is provided to you via:
Class discussions, peers and teaching staff's constructive comments during class activities, on-line peer review, criteria sheet grading of written assessments, generic comments about tasks and assessments to the cohort posted to Canvas, comments from teaching staff on creative work.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assignments for this unit: one theory based, one practical, and one practical with critical reflection.
The first assessment is a contextual review and practitioner case study that allows you to situate your practice in the appropriate field, and propose a line of inquiry for your own portfolio development.
The second assessment is a work-in-progress task where staff and peers provide feedback on music and sound being developed.
The final assessment requires you to create a portfolio comprising individual student work and group work that focuses on both original material and arranging tasks, applying analysis, composition, and music technology skills developed during the tutorials and critically reflecting on the outcome.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Contextual Review and Case Study
This essay comprises a contextual review, practitioner case study and portfolio proposal that will situate you in the appropriate field of practice, and guide you through the development of your portfolio.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Participation and Reflection
A work-in-progress task where staff and peers provide feedback on music being developed. Students will include a minimum of 3 peer reviews in Week 6 and Week 10 of 100 words each.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Creative Outcomes
There are two components to this portfolio. The first part requires you to work in a group and create two musical works (one arrangement and one original composition) that focuses attention on our local music scene. The second component of the portfolio is student-negotiated and requires you to create a minimum of two works that focus attention on extending or improving an aspect of your creative practice. This can be individual and/or group work. You will be assessed individually on your contribution.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio.
Resources
Online readings and listening/viewing activities will be available through the Course Readings and the unit Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Other
To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 CIESJ General Health and Safety Induction and Tier 2 KG Studios induction.
Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Excessive noise in confined spaces and/or when listening through headphones can damage hearing. Exposure to such noise should be brief and controlled.
Personal injury is possible from incorrectly lifting heavy electronic or acoustic instruments or equipment.
The use of electronic instruments and equipment may cause electrocution if handled incorrectly or an electrical fault occurs. Always ensure your equipment has been regularly tested by a qualified electrician.
Musical, electrical and computer equipment is prone to failure. Any loss of time for such failures should be accounted for in your planning.
Safety of data storage can never be fully guaranteed. You are required to take all steps necessary to ensure continuity of your data.
As you delve deeper into music culture, you may come across a range of topics and themes, some of which may touch upon sensitive or triggering subjects. Please be aware that this unit may contain content that could potentially trigger or upset individuals. These triggering topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Sexual assault or violence
- Self-harm or suicide
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Eating disorders or body dysmorphia
- Mental health conditions or trauma
- Racism, discrimination, or hate speech
- Religious or political extremism
- Domestic or child abuse
- Loss or grief
- War or conflict
QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Contextual Review and Case Study, Participation and Reflection, Creative Outcomes