KMB328 Professional Music Practice and Career Development
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: | KMB328 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 60 credit points of completed study from Music (KMB%) |
| 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 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KMB328 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 60 credit points of completed study from Music (KMB%) |
| Assumed Knowledge: | The capacity to extend musical processes across composition, improvisation, and performance, as delivered in KMB318. |
Overview
This capstone unit integrates advanced music practice with comprehensive professional development, preparing you for sustainable careers in today's dynamic music industry. You'll refine your creative and technical skills through intensive music-making while simultaneously developing the business acumen, entrepreneurial thinking, and industry knowledge essential for professional success. The unit emphasises real-world application through professional-standard projects, industry case study research, and hands-on experience with contemporary music business practices. You'll graduate with both a sophisticated creative portfolio and the practical skills needed to navigate and thrive in the contemporary music landscape.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced critical analysis and reflection on various musical practices in planning and executing a music project and professional profile.
- Conceive, develop, and realise new musical works, individually and in collaboration with peers, that define you as a unique creative practitioner.
- 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.
- Display proficiency and command of the appropriate musical forms, production elements and stylistic concepts of the chosen field of musical practice.
Content
You'll advance your music practice through intensive work in production, performance, arrangement, and creative collaboration while exploring contemporary industry contexts and career development strategies. Content includes advanced production techniques, live performance optimisation, vocal and instrumental mastery, and professional presentation skills. You'll research and analyse successful music industry practitioners through comprehensive case studies, developing understanding of diverse career pathways and business models. The unit covers entrepreneurship planning, event management, marketing strategy, professional branding, and the Australian music industry landscape. Technical skills in home studio setup, session management, and digital content creation support your professional development alongside sustainable career planning and industry networking strategies.
Learning Approaches
You'll work through intensive weekly workshop rotations that combine hands-on music practice with professional skill development, receiving regular feedback through work-in-progress sessions that simulate industry review processes. Your learning integrates creative practice with business application through real entrepreneurial projects, case study research, and professional portfolio development. You'll present your research to industry-standard expectations while managing genuine project deadlines and professional responsibilities. Individual consultations with staff provide personalised career guidance and technical mentorship, while collaborative projects build the networking and partnership skills essential for music industry success. The unit culminates in public presentations and professional showcases that demonstrate your readiness for immediate industry engagement.
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
The first assessment task requires that you create a project plan that is supported by theory and literature from the field to justify your decisions.
The second task requires you to submit works in progress for peer review throughout the semester.
The final assessment task is a capstone project whereby you produce and deliver a final portfolio of work. Examples might include an EP with a marketing strategy and official release, or an event which includes a body of work performed live and an event and marketing plan, or a website launching your work in a publicly-facing, professional context.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project plan and analysis
You'll research and propose your final career-launching project supported by industry case studies, market analysis, and professional practice research in your chosen field. You will include a clear description and rationale of your proposed project, supported by market research, SWOT analysis, target audience identification, and analysis of successful similar projects in your field. This assessment focuses on demonstrating industry awareness, strategic thinking, and informed decision-making rather than detailed implementation planning, providing the foundation for your final project development and ensuring your proposed approach is viable and professionally relevant.
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
You will present works in progress in Week 6 and 10 for peer review. You will also upload to Canvas a minimum of 3 peer reviews for week 6 and week 10 of 100 words each.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Professional portfolio and career launch project
You'll complete a negotiated entrepreneurial, career-launching activity that aligns with your creative identity. The project must be public-facing and showcase your work to date, including comprehensive planning documentation, promotional materials, professional bios, contact information, and evidence of entrepreneurial thinking and industry engagement. Possible project types include live performance events with full production management, professional websites with comprehensive industry portfolios, digital album releases with complete promotional campaigns, or other negotiated projects that meet assessment criteria. This capstone project requires you to conceptualise, plan, execute, and launch a significant project that bridges your creative practice with entrepreneurial thinking and industry engagement while demonstrating strategic planning, professional presentation standards, and genuine industry awareness within your chosen music industry specialisation. The showcase must include a minimum of TWO new creative works. This project can be individual or group work. You will be assessed individually based 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
You will require access to the Z9 level 5 studios and rehearsal spaces to produce your portfolio of work, or a home studio equivalent.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. For CIESJ Tier 2 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated. Health and Safety files are readily available for all materials and machinery in all studio areas. Technical supervision is provided for workshops and available on a regular basis during the week.
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, Project plan and analysis, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Project plan and analysis, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - 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, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Project plan and analysis, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Project plan and analysis, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Project plan and analysis, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Project plan and analysis, Participation and Reflection, Professional portfolio and career launch project