Course Catalogue

Introduction to Composition for Honours MUSIC4011

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

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

Timetable

20 x 1hr lectures (Friday 1:00pm)

10 x 1hr fortnightly seminars over 20 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Music, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

Introduction to Composition (MUSIC2005)

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Composition 1 (3 minutes) - 30%

■ Composition 2 (6-8 minutes) - 70%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There are no alternative to the compositions, but flexible deadlines and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor. 

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

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

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

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Apply a range of technical means to create compositions;

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

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

■ Write music that is realisable for the chosen media

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions