CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

4.1        Employability: Careers are in the areas of recording studios, music management, music marketing, music instruction, performance, music promotion, music copyright, music journalism, music critique, music video production, instrument design and construction, music adjudication, choral work, music composition and radio and television broadcast personnel.

4.2        Further Studies: Doctoral studies in Music.

5.0   PROGRAMME DELIVERY

5.1   Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures both face-to-face and online, music performance activities, seminars, group work, research projects, individual independent study, guest seminars and talks from visiting music practitioners.

5.2    Assessment Methods: Continuous assessment in the form of written and practical assignments, field reports and seminar presentations. Examinations constitute practical and written work.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Except for level 2.1, students will take TWO core modules and THREE modules from any one of the areas of specialization shown below:

13.1     Applied Ethnomusicology

13.2    Music Business

13.3    Music Composition

13.4    Music Performance

13.5    Music Technology

 

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER 1                                                                                                                    Credits

Core modules                                                                                           

MAM 701 Research Methods in Music                                                                                18

MAM 702 Applied Music Theory                                                                                             18

Specialisation in Applied Ethnomusicology

MAE 703 Theories of African Music                                                                                       18

MAE 704 Ethnographic Film and Video Documentation                                           18

MAE 705 Public Sector Ethnomusicology                                                                            18

MAE 706 Financial Literacy in The Music Industry                                                         18

Specialisation in Music Business

MMB 703 Entrepreneurship & Music Business Proposal Design                                        18

MMB 704 Creative Economy Financial Management                                                          18

MMB 705 Music Business Planning                                                                                     18

Specialisation in Music Composition

MMC 702 Jazz Improvisation Techniques                                                                            18

MMC 703 Models of Western Music Composition                                                              18

MMC 704 Compositional Theory and Analysis                                                                    18

MMC 705 African Indigenous Composition Portfolio                                                          36

Specialisation in Music Performance

MMP 702 Models of Music Performance                                                                             18

MMP 703 Solo Performance                                                                                                 36

MMP 704 Ensemble Performance                                                                                         36

Specialisation in Music Technology

MMT 703 Acoustics                                                                                                              18

MMT 704 Critical Listening                                                                                                  18

MMT 705 Digital Audio                                                                                                        18

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER 2

Core modules

MAM 707 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Cultural & Creative Industries             18

Specialisation in Applied Ethnomusicology

MAE 708 Paradigms in Ethnomusicology                                                                            18

MAE 709 Musical Instrument Museology                                                                            18

MAE 710 Contemporary Issues in Applied Ethnomusicology                                             18

MAE 711 Transcription and Analysis of Music                                                                    18

 Specialisation in Music Business

MMB 706 Information Technologies in Music Business                                                      18

MMB 707 Zimbabwe Music Industry                                                                                   18

MMB 708 Music Marketing                                                                                                18

MMB 709 Arts Management                                                                                                18

MMB 710 Intellectual Property Rights Management                                                           18

Specialisation in Music Composition

MMC 706 Paradigms of African Composition                                                                     18

MMC 707 Principles of Orchestration                                                                                  18

MMC 708 Contemporary Songwriting Techniques                                                              18

MMC 709 Composing for Film and Theatre                                                                        18

MMC 710 Cross-Cultural Composition Portfolio                                                                 36

Specialisation in Music Performance

MMP 705 Music Performance Technologies                                                                        18

MMP 706 Final Solo Performance                                                                                        36

MMP 707 Final Ensemble Performance                                                                               36

Specialisation in Music Technology

MMT 706 Music Programming                                                                                            18

MMT 708 Audio Recording Technology                                                                              18

MMT 709 Paradigms for Music Technology                                                                           18

MMT 710 Live Music Performance Technology                                                                  18

MMT 711 Sound Design for Motion Pictures                                                                       18

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER 1

Applied Ethnomusicology/Music Business/ Music Technology/

MAM 801 Dissertation                                                                                             90

Music Composition

MMC 801 Final Composition Portfolio                                                      45

MMC 802 Mini-Dissertation                                                                          45

Music Performance

MMP 801 Final Performance Portfolio                                                    45

MMP 802 Mini-Dissertation                                                                           45

14.0     MODULE SYNOPSES

 MAM 701 Research Methods in Music

The module examines the research methods appropriate for both qualitative and quantitative methods including the philosophical underpinnings of research methodology, proposal design, searching and literature review, ethical issues in research, research instruments design, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, qualitative analysis and statistical analysis of data.

 MAM 702 Applied Music Theory

The module presents the principles of practical-oriented music theory which serve as ingredients of the art of music so that structure, design, and language are made clear and accessible to the music scholar. The module examines tonal configurations in music, providing the theoretical roadmap for applied ethnomusicologists, and serving as a pivot for performers and music producers to perform and compose. Choreo-musicology necessitates choreo-musical analysis which focuses on the relationship between dance and music, and relies on applied music theory to enable the transcription and notation of dance movements. Students engage in hands-on tasks to experience the application of music theory in the field of music, therapy and film music. 

 MAE 703 Theories of African Music

The module engages in scholarly discourses that embrace different paradigms and theories in and of African Music, emphasising on the field’s interdisciplinary nature. Students are expected to relate their discussions to the Zimbabwean, African, and World situation. Students are to contribute significantly to the creation and development of indigenous knowledge systems concerning music in and as culture. 

MAE 704 Ethnographic and Video Documentation

The focus of this module is to assist students in describing the true nature of reality through the objective recording of facts and images. More importantly, the module equips students with camera and editing skills to enable them to film rituals or any other music-related performances in preserving indigenous music or other forms of music and generate audio-visual data for musical transcription and analysis.

MAE 705 Public Sector Ethnomusicology

The module covers knowledge of policy formulation issues and debates relating to indigenous music, and practical experiences of and assistance to arts organisations. It covers the civic role of arts and culture in culture policy debates, community project design, development and implementation of international and national copyright protection of indigenous music and folklore, protection and liabilities of contractual arrangements related to depositing, licensing and distribution of musical sound and audio-visual recordings.

MAE 706 Financial Literacy in the Music Industry

The module focuses on the financial literacy of the cultural industries. The module inducts students in financial issues of the creative cultural industries.  It handles issues of financial planning, budgeting, accounting, investment, contract negotiation, management of funds and trustee/ staff relations in the context of the arts to help students develop critical skills to survive in the cultural industries. Emphasis is on how musicians can financially benefit from their intellectual property in the contemporary era.

MAM 707 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Cultural and Creative Industries

The module will create students with a self-employment thrust.  Manufacturing is one great employment booster hence it is the thrust of this module.  The module takes cognisance of the new norm caused by these calamities of recent times.  The module prepares students to tackle enterprises such as being music bloggers, YouTubers and Tik-Talkers where they make money in their homes because of the new norm. Emphasis is on how musicians can survive in various permutations in the post-modern era and how they can manage to be creative and innovative.

 MAE 708 Paradigms in Ethnomusicology

The module explores the paradigm shift in Ethnomusicology through changes in approach, and use of recording technology in music archiving, preservation, and dissemination. The module also focuses on how Ethnomusicology has been remodelled over the years. Students will present papers at seminars and workshops. Students will undertake practical projects and create a music documentary accompanied by an academic progress report.

MAE 709 Musical Instrument Museology

This module involves students studying the museology of musical instruments, their organology and principles of construction in a scientific analysis. Students are required to apply their knowledge through a practical and real-life Music Museum/Archiving mini-project.

MAE 710 Contemporary Issues in Applied Ethnomusicology

The module focuses on issues of Applied Ethnomusicology in the contemporary period. Emphasis is on how ethnomusicology is surviving in various permutations in the post-modern era and how it has managed to be in harmony with cosmopolitanism. The module will also interrogate the new foci and methods that have emerged recently in Applied Ethnomusicology.

MAE 711 Transcription and Analysis      

The course covers issues of transcription and analysis of music from different cultures. The modes of transcription will range from Western to African. Students will be challenged to innovate and conjure up their own homegrown methods of transcribing music from their own cultural traditions as well. The module aims at equipping students with skills that spell out musical aspects like form, melody contours, harmony, singing pattern and instrumentation.

MMB 703 Music Business Entrepreneurship

This module equips students with a generic understanding of music business entrepreneurship and its place in the creative economy. Further, it gives candidates a critical evaluation of entrepreneurial business innovations in the creative industry structures critical to the development and promotion of the music industry. This fosters an understanding of the music industry’s potential contribution to the national economy. The candidates will be exposed to the purposes and function of corporate and social responsibilities for business entities within and beyond the Zimbabwean context. Students will undertake practical projects and create a portfolio accompanied by an academic process report.

MMB 704 Creative Economy Financial Management             

This module equips students with financial management skills specific to the music business and the creative economy at large. The students will be able to understand the financial dynamics involved in running legal music business ventures. The module emphasises the financial modalities related to financial planning, taxation, budgeting, record keeping, balancing and expenditure key to running successful music businesses. Students will undertake practical projects and create a portfolio accompanied by an academic process report.

MMB 705Music Business Planning

The module equips students with skills to design diverse music business plans for income generation in all three music industry sub-sectors. Students learn how to write, implement, assess and evaluate music business proposals following trends in the local, regional and global music industries. Students will be taught how to form and register a company, patent, remit taxes, maintenance of accounting books for the music business and also run the day-to-day business requirements. Students will undertake practical projects and create a portfolio accompanied by an academic process report.

MMB 706Information Technologies in Music Business

The module entails the use of information technology in conducting music business. This involves using relevant technologies in writing, composing, record keeping, storage, dissemination of musical and other data, and presentation of seminars, papers and workshops. Students will undertake practical projects and create a portfolio accompanied by an academic process report. Students will create websites as repositories of information for marketing upcoming events, music products and services.

MMB 707Zimbabwe Music Industry

This module involves students studying the Zimbabwean Music industry in both pre and post-independence Zimbabwe. Students are required to have an informed understanding and appreciation of the current trends in the industry within the general scope of the creative arts sector.

MMB 708Music Marketing

This module critically evaluates current music marketing practices, theories and concepts. It assesses the technological impact on marketing musical products and services from mainstream media to social media in the local, regional and global contexts. It critiques case studies of industry guest speakers and real-life situations exploring various marketing strategies and challenges involved in music promotion in all music industry sectors.

MMB 709 Arts Management

This module equips students with relevant skills for managing the arts. It covers the management of music business ventures and arts organisations ranging from organising and hosting musical events through social gatherings and fund-raising activities. Students will be expected to identify and apply theories that inform the running of arts organisations and management of sub-sector-specific music ventures.

MMB 710Intellectual Property Rights Management                                                             

This module entails a critical awareness of the various issues around Intellectual Property (IP) and copyright management in the three main music industry sub-sectors. It enables students to critically construct and evaluate contractual agreements that bind the industry’s operations and are central to the creative economy. The module covers IP in the context of diverse works such as songs, master recordings, videos, photos, writings, knowledge, the expression of ideas, prototypes and more in all three music industry sub-sectors. 

MMP 703 Solo Performance

The module prepares candidates to master the instrument or dance and develop proficiency and knowledge of it (the chosen instrument) with emphasis on solo/individual performances. Candidates show mastery in performance techniques, management of performance on stage and the dynamics of performing with accompaniment or within a group/ensemble. Candidates should demonstrate mastery of their instruments in their final solo performance which should last for 45 minutes.

MMP 704 Ensemble Performance

The module trains candidates in the psychology of performance, improvisation and musical arrangements geared towards a public ensemble performance with full accompaniment. Candidates show mastery in performance techniques, management of performance on stage and the dynamics of performing with accompaniment or within a group/ensemble. Every performance is accompanied by a performance script. Candidates should demonstrate mastery of their instruments in their ensemble performance which should last for 1 hour 20 minutes.

MMP 702Models of Music Performance

This module explores the global, regional and national issues around music performance. I interrogate the various standpoints that inform the performance of music in different cultures and draw meaning and implications to the current practices in the contexts of the candidates’ experiences. Students will engage in discourses based on specific examples from Africa, the West and the Eastern musical experiences and prototypes.

MAM 706 Financial Literacy in the Music Industry

The module focuses on the financial literacy of the cultural industries. The module inducts students in financial issues of the creative cultural industries.  It handles issues of financial planning, budgeting, accounting, investment, contract negotiation, management of funds and trustee/ staff relations in the context of the arts to help students develop critical skills to survive in the cultural industries. Emphasis is on how musicians can financially benefit from their intellectual property in the contemporary era.

MAM 707 Music Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The module will create students with a self-employment thrust.  Manufacturing is one great employment booster hence it is the thrust of this module.  The module takes cognisance of the new norm caused by these calamities of recent times.  The module prepares students to tackle enterprises such as being music bloggers, YouTubers and Tik-Tokers where they make money in their homes because of the new norm. Emphasis is on how musicians can survive in various permutations in the post-modern era and how they can manage to be creative and innovative.

MMC 702 Jazz Improvisation Techniques                                            

The module focuses on those students who wish to specialise in Jazz composition. Fundamental principles of jazz theory ranging from chord formation and their use in different jazz styles are interrogated. Seventh chords and extended tertian chords are studied with special emphasis on the perception of modes and their colouristic tendencies being informed by various jazz musicians and epochs. Jazz improvisation techniques such as harmonic grounds, rhythmic grounds, melodic interaction/dialogue, and walking bass need to be studied and understood in context.

MMC 703 Models of Western Music Composition                  

The module focuses on compositional models and theories that inform Western procedures to music composition; melodic structure, harmonic tendency rules, harmonic function, chord type, melodic embellishment/figuration, voice leading and part writing in the context of style, genre, school of thought, individual composers’ idiom and epoch. The influence of linear sequences on harmony should be understood. Extended tonality in diatonic and chromatic harmonies emphasising on how chords are used and resolved including cadences.

MMC 704 Compositional Theory and Analysis                                     

Students must be equipped with vast knowledge of post-tonal compositional theory and analytical procedures. Atonality, serialism, the twelve-tone system and other post-tonal compositional procedures must be understood.

MMC 705 Indigenous Composition Portfolio                                                     

This is a practical and demonstrative module which seeks to equip students with innovative skills in music composition through applying concepts. Students are expected to compose and compile original compositions informed by indigenous paradigms in music composition. Students must understand the potential of indigenous music-cultural tonal, rhythmic, textural and instrumental resources to serve as pre-compositional elements in composition from an African perspective and assuming the Zimbabwean standpoint. As such, they have to demonstrate how this concept of indigenous-oriented approach to composition can foster the realisation of unique musical styles in Zimbabwe. Therefore, substantial work of indigenous-oriented works with indigenous accompaniment, from the idiophones, aerophones, membranophones, lamellaphones and chordophones classes must be composed.

MMC 706 Paradigms of African Music Composition                                        

The module focuses on paradigms that may be applied to engage with indigenous music-cultural knowledge systems. It traces the development of African scholarship and contributions whose perspectives are to inculcate the philosophy of ubuntu/unhu in the domain of music composition. As such theories/models/frameworks/rubrics that inform indigenous composers are interrogated, hence fostering identity, authenticity and African consciousness and cultural hegemony.

MMC 707 Principles of Orchestration                                                                

The module equips with knowledge of orchestration from Western art music perspective, in various musical periods and schools of thought. The sections of the orchestra (strings, brass, woodwind and percussion) and knowledge of instruments are critical. Students are expected to orchestrate several works to meet the standards commensurate with Masters’ level. The application of indigenous idiophones, aerophones, chordophones and membranophones in orchestration is also covered.

MMC 708 Contemporary Songwriting Techniques   

The module focuses on contemporary composition styles ranging from chord formation, timbral combinations and song structure. Substantial work of indigenous-oriented works with indigenous accompaniment, from the idiophones, aerophones, membranophones, lamellaphones and chordophones classes must be composed. Students must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in understanding the application of indigenous music-cultural tonal hierarchies, and rhythmic, textural and instrumental resources to serve as pre-compositional elements in popular music songwriting from an African perspective from a Zimbabwean standpoint. They have to demonstrate how this concept of an indigenous-oriented approach to popular music songwriting can foster the realisation of unique musical styles in Zimbabwe.                                    

MMC 709 Composing for Film And Theatre                                                                   

The module equips students to specialise in composing music for motion images. Being informed by film music theories and communicative tendencies of music in films, students will compose and lay soundtracks and/or produce a film score. Students will be exposed to different approaches to motion image music scoring such as minimalism, modular approach, and Hollywood scoring practices. Also, students must be conscious of indigenous cultural aesthetics in African films.

MMC 710 Cross-Cultural Composition Portfolio                                 

This is a practical module that equips students with innovative skills in music composition by blending Western approaches and indigenous concepts to satisfy the global appeal of music and diversity. This enables students to commodify and commercialise their music hence exposing indigenous resources globally for posterity. Students should understand the linkages of indigenous music-cultural tonal, rhythmic, textural and instrumental resources with other music cultures of the world.

MMC 801 Final Composition Portfolio                                                                            

The composition portfolio can be in the form of a compilation of Musical scores (using relevant and standard systems of notation like staff notation, number notation, pulse notation, tablature notation), wave format, or performance recitals of composed works (supported by lead/sheet scores). The portfolio of compositions may be in classical, contemporary, jazz, popular or indigenous composition styles. The portfolio of compositions must have a minimum performance duration of 30 minutes.

MMC 802 Mini-Dissertation                                                                                             

Depending on the nature of the research topic, both the dissertation and the portfolio of compositions can be directed/supervised by one study leader or the two components can be supervised by two separate study leaders. It is not a requirement that the dissertation topic be linked to the portfolio of compositions. However, the dissertation should be linked to the specific field of interest within the music composition domain.

MMP 705 Music Performance Technologies

This study entails the use of technologies in music performance. Candidates will explore the shift from analogue to digital platforms as it relates to music performance. The study critically examines the implications of technologies to the future of music performance given the theories that inform the use, staging of live performances, participation of performers, time management of sound, preservation/archiving, programming and management of performances.

MMP 706Final Solo Performance

The module grounds the candidates to Western /African Music performance techniques with an in-depth study of the dance or instrument of their choice. Students study the nature of the dance or instrument, history, performance technique, sound production, tuning system, functionality and issues of continuity and change. The knowledge obtained will be a pre-requisite for the advanced techniques of the dance/ instrument. For dance, students will study the history, origin, dance pattern, and issues of continuity and change. The knowledge and skills will culminate in a minor solo performance of 45 minutes. Performance in African dance or instruments (voice to be regarded as an instrument) and all performances should depict a particular context. Performances are to be accompanied by a programme of events, a detailed write-up of the candidate’s biography, a description of the item(s) to be recited and other participants involved.

MMP 707 Final Ensemble Performance

The major ensemble exposes candidates to advanced performance skills within an ensemble with one student playing the leading role. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to train and lead a group comprising of a variety of accompanying dances African and Western instruments with voices. The performance will last 1hr 20minutes in which at least six (6) songs are performed. For African music, the performance should be contextual, with a high level of creativity and originality, a detailed programme, the candidate’s biography, details of participants and their roles, instruments, song text and meaning, and a brief description of the ritual/context of the enacted performance.

MMT 703Acoustics 

The study examines the principles of sound propagation, management in enclosed spaces, transmission and transmission loss and ideal acoustic treatments. Candidates will undertake practical explorations into enclosed recording and performance spaces to live sound production onstage and in the studio.

MMT 704 Critical Listening

Students will do critical listening to develop frequency identification skills with pink noise and music, cutting/boosting 20Hz to 20kHz. The students work with commercial recordings to identify dynamics, spatial placing of inputs, amplitude, spectral and temporal aspects in frequency identities and signal processing of sound to produce a project portfolio which will be submitted for examination.

MMT 705 Digital Audio 

This study grounds the students into the essentials of signal processing through mixing and mastering skills in multi-track recording through the use of appropriate analogue and digital gear, the application of dynamic and signal processing techniques is fundamental to recording projects undertaken in the study. 

MMT 706 Computer Music Programming

The content in this study entails the use of information technology in writing, composing, storage, and dissemination of musical productions. Candidates will manipulate hardware and software equipment in sound synthesis for a variety of musical applications in the digital age.

MMT 708 Paradigms for Music Technology

This module exposes students to global trends in the music industry with a focus on the existing paradigms in music technology. Students will interrogate different models, theoretical orientations and applications informing practices in the local music industry in the recording and entertainment area.

MMT 709 Audio Recording Technology

Students will study the principles underlying recording in using both analogue and digital-based equipment. Each candidate will preside over a 40-minute recording project to commercial standards. A project with a detailed report on the recording process is a cardinal requirement for students to exhibit their experience and understanding of key concepts.

MMT 710 Live Music Performance Technology

The study involves the use of technology in live performances, traditional aesthetic definitions of musical experience, and individual and machine technologies are core to the study. It also looks at the evolution of traditional aesthetic definitions of live musical experiences, engineer/performer-audience relations to the sound, aura, and other musicians making music together. 

MMT 711Sound Design for Motion Pictures 

Candidates will create/sound design for motion pictures, apply Foley and other effects, score soundtracks, synchronise sound with motion pictures, and apply ideal formats for different purposes. Students will submit a 10-minute examination project to demonstrate a grasp of skills through detailed process reports.

MAM 801Dissertation

Students are expected to carry out a study on topics of their choice. Topics will be approved by the Departmental Board based on the academic regulations. Under the academic guidance of research supervisor(s), the candidates will present scholarly written work. The candidates’ work should articulate music-related issues. The length should be a minimum of 20 000 words.

MMP 801 Final Performance Portfolio

The module grounds students in African and Western musical instrument performance techniques as well as dance. Students study the nature of the dance or instrument, history, performance technique, sound production, tuning system, functionality and issues of change and continuity. The candidate at this stage will present a final portfolio that is cumulative. This module enables candidates to knit together a meaningful performance. The knowledge obtained will be a pre-requisite for the advanced techniques of the dance/ instrument. The knowledge and skills will culminate in a one-hour performance. Performance should depict a particular context. Performances are accompanied by a programme of events, a detailed write-up of the candidate’s biography, a description of the item(s) to be recited and other participants involved.

MMP 802Mini-Dissertation

Students are expected to carry out a study on topics in music performance of their choice. Topics will be approved by the Departmental Board based on the academic regulations. Under the academic guidance of research supervisor(s), the candidates will present scholarly written in dissertations with at least 20 000 words. The candidates’ work should articulate music-related issues.

 MPHIL PROGRAMMES

MPhil in Music Business

MPhil in Music Technology

MPhil in Applied Ethnomusicology

MPhil in Musicology