Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course is designed to introduce students to a range of compositional skills, through exploration of repertoire and techniques based on contemporary and 20th century approaches to composition.

12x1hr lectures (Fridays 1pm); 7x1hr workshop; 11 x1hr seminars as scheduled in MyCampus.

Grade D3 or above in Listening Through Analysis (MUSIC1021) or Musicianship (MUSIC1003)

Introduction to Composition (MUSIC4011)

Performance workshop with critical reflection (700 words) - 25%

Composition 1 (2 minutes) - 25%

Composition 2 (4-6 minutes) - 50%

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ Explore core techniques used in 20th century and contemporary music composition;

■ Enable students to adapt practices that are typical in the creation of music compositions;

■ Promote aesthetic awareness and critical listening skills through the pursuit of written compositions and devising workshops;

■ Develop students' ability to utilise a wide range of practical tools in composition.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Apply a range of technical means to create compositions;

■ Apply aesthetic judgment to create clear and stylistic identity in compositions, reflecting engagement with the content of the course sessions;

■ Consider issues such as harmony, melodic structure, form, texture, and timbre; as well as the effective and accurate use of notation, in writing compositions;

■ Collaborate with peers in devising original musical performances;

■ Write music with an understanding of the chosen media

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.