Elements and Performance Criteria

Relevant parties to be consulted may include:
producers
directors
artists
technicians
team leaders
agents
administrators
artistic and business managers
legal representatives

Strategies for developing arranging skills may include:
working with an appropriate tutor
courses in composition, music analysis and music arranging
critically evaluating own work
being involved in a range of music making activities to practise music arranging
studying and analysing arrangements
studying and analysing musical structure
participating in relevant groups or associations relevant to area of specialisation
participating in professional development and other learning opportunities relevant to area of specialisation
contributing to/participating in festivals, conferences and professional associations relevant to area of specialisation

Listening may include:
aural imagination
pattern and sequence recognition and memory
recognising and using music systems and practices
using chords, keys in tonal or other musical systems

Musical knowledge may include:
repertoire of a range of musical styles relevant to area of specialisation
instrument knowledge relevant to area of specialisation
orchestration relevant to area of specialisation
music analyses and research relevant to area of specialisation
musical forms, systems, practices and customs relevant to area of specialisation
reading and writing music using written music notation such as acoustic and electronic scores, sheet music and chord charts relevant to area of specialisation
interpretation and/or writing of directions for instrumentation, voicing, expression, timbre, attack, pitch, tempi and dynamics relevant to area of specialisation
music writing, copying, arranging or editing relevant to area of specialisation
improvisation relevant to area of specialisation
setting down music to be reproduced for live and/or recorded performance relevant to area of specialisation
setting down music using protocols for specific project purposes relevant to area of specialisation

Technical skills may include:
mastery of instruments and musical elements relevant to area of specialisation
a range of techniques to control and enhance musical arrangement relevant to area of specialisation
arranging techniques appropriate to the brief
technical requirements of instruments relevant to area of specialisation
scoring parts appropriate to musical style and context in area of specialisation

Technology may include:
use and maintenance of equipment
electronic hardware and software for arranging and orchestrating
music recording
special effects

Workplace considerations may include:
goals, values, objectives, processes and appropriate practices
ethical standards of industry / employer / agent / client / audience
project values, protocols and standards
Copyright Act and amendments
music licensing laws
OHS
contracts
contingency planning
problem solving

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:
Professional development
working with an appropriate tutor/mentor
locating and using resources to enhance music arranging skills and outcomes
acquiring and using information appropriate to execute a music arranging brief
listening to and discerning the advice of appropriate clients, colleagues, experts and audience groups to adjust work realistically in line with career direction
Music craft

applying knowledge of musical elements in arranging music such as:

notes and rests
key signatures and scales
accidentals
intervals
harmony
chords
all other ways of organising pitch
tone colour and instrumentation and instrument voicing
symbols and instructions for articulation and attack
expression marks and instructions
rhythm and time signatures
silence
symbols and instructions for repetition of music sections
Technical
texture and integration of musical lines
integrating and expressing literary texts as required
using a range of orchestration techniques where relevant to area of specialisation
interpreting a variety of scales, chord sequences and music systems in arranging music
using a variety of rhythms, time signatures, beats and rhythmic styles to develop the arrangement appropriately
using a variety of instruments and instrumental combinations to suit the arrangement
creating for a variety of styles as required by the brief
Creative
demonstrating originality and innovative approaches to arranging music within the scope of the brief
extending musical boundaries for self and audience within the scope of the brief
listening critically to continuously evaluate and adjust the musical work
Expressive
phrasing and shaping music appropriately
understanding and expressing appropriate musical nuance to suit the purpose of the arrangement
arranging music appropriately for the context of project
Technology
using appropriate equipment and/or instruments effectively to suit the brief
using appropriate technology to improve creative outcomes where possible and required
using technology to set down work
investigating technology to enhance artistic and commercial outcomes
Presentation, communication and promotion
observing cultural protocols appropriate to the genre and the project
matching style with target potential or existing audience and the requirements of the brief
using effective interpersonal skills
maintaining an appropriate standard of presentation in all professional undertakings and dealings
maintaining an appropriate standard of presentation in all work
working creatively with individual differences
working constructively with group dynamics
identifying and dealing constructively with conflict
Planning and organisation
clarifying roles
working within established budgets and timeframes to achieve planned outcomes
matching work commitments to best career outcomes
keeping an accurate and up to date diary of work commitments
demonstrating reliability in all agreed work commitments
using time management strategies to set priorities
developing systems for required documentation such as financial, taxation, insurance, copyright and other legal requirements and business plans where required

Linkages to other units
This unit has strong linkages to, and may be assessed with, the following units:
CUSMGE02A Develop self as artist
CUSMGE01A Maintain self or group in music
CUSBGE16A Maintain self or group in business
CUSMGE03A Use instruments equipment and/or electronic technology for making music
CUSMGE06A Read music
UCSMGE04A Analyse music
CUSMGE07A Analyse harmony
CUSMCP03A Create a simple accompaniment for a song
CUSMCP09A Arrange music for screen

Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
working effectively with relevant musical elements to arrange music
demonstrating relevant analytical and repertoire knowledge in arranging music for a given purpose

Method and context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including:
observation of assignments or recording the work environment
process diary
oral questioning on planning arrangements for a brief
discussion of creative goals, time management and strategies
relevant samples of creative work with candidate's evaluation
samples of detailed work plans that clearly indicate the arranging concepts
authenticated details of relevant courses or training/tuition sessions
authenticated details of relevant creative and/or commercial achievements
relevant portfolio kit, tapes, scores, CDs, videos, biographies of practitioner's work
simulation of a briefing interview
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues, methods and strategies in arranging music for a variety given purposes
Competency in this unit may need to be assessed over a period of time, in a range of contexts and on multiple occasions involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence. It is required that the assessee nominate the area of music specialisation in which the unit will be assessed.
It is strongly recommended that the assessment process incorporates the following evidence gathering methods:
review of comprehensive portfolios of evidence which demonstrate the processes used in developing the creative concept through all stages of the process
targeted questions aimed at evaluating the processes used in developing the creative concept through all stages of the process
These methods should assist the assessor to evaluate the creative process followed by the candidate in generating, evaluating and realising creative ideas.
Assessment may occur off the job, on the job or in a combination of on and off the job. Assessment of this unit requires evidence of the assessee's ability to interpret and execute a music arrangement brief. This may be done through an assignment and viva voce. Additionally at least three of the methods suggested above should be used in assessing this unit.

Resource requirements
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all of the relevant resources commonly used in the development of artistic skills relevant to the candidate's nominated specialisation and mode of expression. Specific assessment tools may include:
authenticated work portfolio
copies of copyright regulations
audio equipment
scores, tapes, CD's or work portfolios
appropriate venue with adequate space and acoustic qualities

Communicating ideas and information
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(2)