INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STUDIES (IMS) is a three-year major subject which may be studied for degree curricula in the Faculties of Humanities and Science. It comprises three musical genres: Western Art, Jazz, African Music.

•  Instrumental Music Studies 1 (IMS 1)

First-year, full year course (30 credits at NQF level 5).
Entrance requirements: Western Art and Jazz: Matric music or equivalent (ABRSM/UNISA/TRINITY Gr 6) plus an audition at RU. Students who lack the literacy skills and knowledge necessary for IMS 1 are required to register for MTA 101 and 102. African Ensemble: no prior musical experience required.

Course description:

Western Art and Jazz: This includes the study of a major instrument, ensemble training  aural training and a paper on Music Literature. Syllabi for the various instruments are available from the Department of Music. The “instrument” includes voice and can belong to any style, period or culture. Choice is subject to the approval of the Head of Department.

African Ensemble: The year will focus on skills which include learning songs and dances from South Africa, the marimba, various drumming styles, the mbira and other African instruments.

https://youtu.be/CUtlNY81y_4

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 30%; June and November examinations count 70%.

Supplementary exam: None

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Instrumental Music Studies 2 (IMS 2)

Second-year, full year course (30 credits at NQF level 6).
Entrance requirements: Western Art and Jazz: IMS 2 or equivalent (ABRSM/UNISA/TRINITY Gr 7) plus an audition at RU. African Ensemble: IMS 1

Course description:

Western Art and Jazz: This includes the study of a major instrument, ensemble training, aural training and a paper on Music Literature. Syllabi for the various instruments are available from the Department of Music. The “instrument” includes voice and can belong to any style, period or culture. Choice is subject to the approval of the Head of Department.

African Ensemble: The year refines and builds upon skills learnt in IMS 1 and includes a module on instrument making. Aural training and Western notation are introduced.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 30%; June and November examinations count 70%.

Supplementary exam: None

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Instrumental Music Studies 3 (IMS 3)

Third-year, full year course (60 credits at NQF level 7).
Entrance requirements: Western Art and Jazz: IMS 2 or equivalent (ABRSM/UNISA/TRINITY Gr 8) plus an audition at RU Music. African Ensemble: IMS 2

Course description:

Western Art and Jazz: This includes the study of a major instrument, ensemble training  aural training and a paper on Music Literature. Syllabi for the various instruments are available from the Department of Music. The “instrument” includes voice and can belong to any style, period or culture. Choice is subject to the approval of the Head of Department.

African Ensemble: The year refines and builds upon skills learnt in IMS 1 and 2.  

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 30%; June and November examinations count 70%.

Supplementary exam: None

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

NB All IMS students are required to take part in at least one approved ensemble: RU Chamber Choir, Opera / Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Wind band, RU Orchestra, African Ensemble for the duration of their course of study. Please note that tuition in and examination of the ensemble component (or second instrument) of Instrumental Music Studies is in addition to these requirements. Attendance of a minimum of 75% of the rehearsal schedule is obligatory.

MUSIC, CULTURE AND HISTORY (MCH) is a three- year
major subject which may be studied for degree curricula in the Faculties of Humanities and Science. There are two semester modules per year offered in Music Culture and History: Musicology and Ethnomusicology. In year three, these disciplinary streams come together in an interdisciplinary form of music studies which prepares students for postgraduate research.

MCH first-year modules:

• Ethnomusicology 101 (MCH 101)

(NQF level 5, 15 credits)

Entrance requirements: None
Course description: An introduction to the study of music’s function in various societies.
DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Semester mark counts 30%; November examinations count 70%.
Supplementary exam: Final mark 40 – 49%
Sub-minimum for aggregation: 40%

• Musicology 102 (MCH 102)

(NQF level 5, 15 credits)
Entrance requirements: None
Course description: An introduction to the historical study of Western music through theoretical themes in musicology.
DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Semester mark counts 50%; November examinations count 50%.
Supplementary exam: Final mark 40 – 49%
Sub-minimum for aggregation: 40%

• Musicology 201 (MCH 201)

(NQF level 6, 15 credits)
Entrance requirements: MCH 102
Course description: Covers topics in South African music history.

DP requirements: 80% attendance.

Assessment: Semester mark counts 50%; November examinations count 50%.
Supplementary exam: Final mark 40 – 49%
Sub-minimum for aggregation: 40%

• Ethnomusicology 202 (MCH 202)

(NQF level 6, 15 credits)
Entrance requirements: MCH 101
Course description: Covers fieldwork and ethnography.
DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Semester mark counts 30%; November examinations count 70%.
Supplementary exam: Final mark 40 – 49%
Sub-minimum for aggregation: 40%

• Music, Culture and History 3

(60 credits at NQF level 7).
Entrance requirements: MCH 101, 102, 201, 202 or at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Course description: Music Culture and History 3 includes specialist topics in the contemporary debates around music studies and is presented in an interdisciplinary way which integrates musicology and ethnomusicology.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 50%; November examinations counts 50%.

Supplementary exam: 40% - 49%

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

MUSIC THEORY & ANALYSIS is a three-year major subject which may be studied for degree curricula in the Faculties of Humanities and Science.

• Music Theory & Analysis 101 (MTA 101)

First-year, semesterised course (15 credits at NQF level 5).
Entrance requirements: None.

Course description:  MTA 101 is a one semester course introducing students to the core elements of music literacy including basic keyboard skills.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Semester mark counts 30%; June and November examinations count 70%.

Supplementary exam: November exam 45% - 49 %

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Music Theory & Analysis 102 (MTA 102)

First-year, semesterised course (15 credits at NQF level 5).
Entrance requirements: MTA 101.

Course description:  MTA 102 focuses on more advanced aspects of music literacy including an introduction to four-part harmony. Students who pass the Music Theory entrance test with a mark of 65% or more may register for IMS 1 without registering for MTA 101/102.  For those registering for IMS 2 and/or 3 successful completion of MTA 101 and 102 is required.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Semester mark counts 30%; June and November examinations count 70%.

Supplementary exam: 45% - 49 %

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Music Theory & Analysis 2 (MTA 2)

Second-year, year course (30 credits at NQF level 6).

Entrance requirements: MTA 1. Students who can demonstrate significant proficiency in theory as determined by an entrance examination may be permitted to register for MTA 2 at the discretion of the HOD

Course description:  Music Theory & Analysis 2 introduces students to compositional practices from the Western Baroque and Classical music periods mainly through analysis of representative works and a study of four-part harmony.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 50%; June and November examinations count 50%.

Supplementary exam: November exam 45% -49%

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Music Theory & Analysis 3 (MTA 3)

Third-year, year course (60 credits at NQF level 7).

Entrance requirements: MTA 2

Course description: Music Theory & Analysis 3 introduces students to compositional practices in Western Romantic music through a study of chromatic harmony and four-part harmony, Twentieth & Twenty-First Century musics, and African art music studied through analysis of representative works.

DP requirements: 80% attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 50%; June and November examinations count 50%.

Supplementary exam: 45% – 49 %

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

SOUND TECHNOLOGY may be taken up to second year level, in those Faculties for which it is approved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YoWAOY9W6k 

• Sound Technology 1

First-year, year course (30 credits at NQF level 5).
Entrance requirements: None

Course description: Fundamentals of studio recording techniques, utilising both the analogue and digital protocols, and the installation and operation of public address equipment.

DP requirements: 75% lecture attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 50%; June and November examinations count 50%.

Supplementary exam: 45% - 49%

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

• Sound Technology 2

Second-year, year course (30 credits at NQF level 6).
Entrance requirements: Sound Technology 1

Course description: The course builds on the theory introduced in Sound

Technology 1 and provides exposure to additional and more in-depth practical applications. The course also includes additional modules on room acoustics, synthesis and the MIDI protocol.

DP requirements: 75% lecture attendance
Assessment: Year mark counts 50%; June and November examinations count 50%.

Supplementary exam: 45% - 49%

Sub-minimum for June: N/A

Music 4 (MUS 4)

Full-year (120 credits at NQF level 8)

Entrance requirements: BMus 3

Course description: The Honours course is completed in the fourth year of study. Students must complete five papers or their equivalent in credit points (5). Subject to student preferences and the availability of staff, the topics for the papers are selected from the following:

Compulsory: At least one of the following

Paper 1: Extended essay (2)

The candidate is required to submit an appropriately researched extended essay of not more than 10 000 words on a subject approved by the Head of Department. Three copies of the extended essay must be presented, suitably bound.

Paper 2: Full Recital (2)

A public recital of not less than 70 minutes. Repertoire subject to the approval of the Head of Department after consultation with the full-time staff.

Paper 3: Full Composition portfolio (2)

The portfolio must consist of a minimum of 20 minutes of music, representing at least two of the following categories:

1. Solo Instrument.

2. Chamber Ensemble including Choir (up to 10 instruments or Double Choir of 8 voices).

3. Voice or solo instrument with accompaniment.

4. Orchestra (Chamber or Symphony) /Large Jazz Ensemble.

Paper 4: Analysis 4 (1)

Advanced analytical projects in Western art music and/or jazz and/or African music.

Paper 5: Musicology 4 (1)

Musicological theories and their application, which may be linked to the topic chosen in Paper 1.

Paper 6: Ethnomusicology 4 (1)

Semester 1 is a readings seminar with a focus on contemporary theory in Ethnomusicology and Cultural Studies. Students begin work on a chosen research project which culminates in preparation of an extended essay based on the research project in Semester 2.

Paper 7: Sound Technology (1)

Studio recording and mixing down using both analogue and digital protocols. A portfolio of 4 mixed down works must be submitted as 50 % of the course requirement.

Paper 8: Short Composition Portfolio (1)

Individual project(s) in composition leading to the submission of a short, varied portfolio of completed work. Minimum composition time of 10 minutes.

Paper 9: Short public performance (1)

A public recital of not less than 35 minutes with works approved by the Head of Department after consultation with the full-time staff.

Paper 10: Instrumental Music Studies 4 (1)

The study of a major instrument and ensemble training. No public recital is attached to this course. Repertoire subject to the approval of the Head of Department after consultation with the full-time staff.

Paper 11: Conducting (1)

The introduction to orchestral and choral conducting.

Paper 12: Chamber Music Recital (1)

A chamber music performance of not less than 30 minutes with works and ensembles approved by the Head of Department after consultation with the fulltime staff.

Paper 13: Concerto Performance (1)

Public performance of a concerto or movements thereof as approved by the Head of Department after consultation with the full-time staff.

Paper 14: Music Education (1)

Music education research topics as approved by the Head of Department.

Paper 15: Arts Management (1)

This course provides an overview of arts management using dialogue, research and practical illustration through informal and interactive sessions. The objectives are to equip the student with vital skills required in the arts environment, both nationally and internationally.

1. Not all fourth year/honours papers are necessarily available every year.