Module MUSI2311: STUDIES IN COMPOSITION

Department: Music

MUSI2311: STUDIES IN COMPOSITION

Prerequisites

• MUSI1201 Contemporary Music OR MUSIxxxx Approaches to Contemporary Composition

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module is intended to further stimulate and develop individual compositional creativity through the study and use of contemporary compositional techniques from the early 20th-century to the present day, thus directly building on the first year’s course. The aim is to build on students’ knowledge of the aesthetic preoccupations of contemporary composers and the specific techniques they employ for the devising of musical material, directly progressing from the broad skills and knowledge acquired at level 1. Students will continue their acquisition of a range of compositional techniques, consolidating and building on compositional works written in the first year, through a more detailed examination of relevant set works from the 20th and 21st centuries and an emphasis on more individually focussed and self-directed compositional projects. The study of set works will provide technical and aesthetic models for the further development of more individual compositional interests, and a technical foundation for those students intending to submit a composition portfolio in their final year. The module will encourage students to absorb, emulate and apply these compositional techniques critically, and creatively, in the creation of new work (as opposed to pastiche composition).

Content

• A combination of seminars and lectures will critically examine various technical models and compositional approaches from the Western avant-garde, experimentalist, modernist and post-modern traditions of new music, looking at pieces with particular relevance to the instrumental forces available for workshops. Compositions will be undertaken for a variety of instrumental means, according to the specified scoring of the above projects, as specified by the course tutor(s). Students’ compositional work will be rehearsed, work-shopped, recorded and discussed during practical composition workshops. Adequate time will be provided after the workshops (and before summative deadlines) to improve the compositions, consolidating and building on what was learned during the workshops, as preparation for the summative submission of compositions. The first two terms are based around lectures, seminar-based teaching methods and practical workshops, with several individual tutorials. The third term will be focussed on individual tutorials as preparation for the final portfolio of compositions. Wider aesthetic, cultural and other contextual issues surrounding contemporary composition will frame further debates and discussions.

Learning Outcomes

• A familiarity with theoretical concerns directly relevant to contemporary composition.
• Experience in devising musical material through the creation of new work, building on the skills acquired in year one and leading on to the critical understanding of compositional techniques to be learnt in year three.
• An understanding of the practical demands placed on the composer, to be derived through feedback from the tutor and workshop performance of student works, which is to be understood as a stepping stone towards the professional standards of score and part preparation expected in year three.
• Students will gain a further understanding of contemporary western compositional techniques and aesthetics, embracing a range of approaches, concepts and forms.

• Students will have further experience of composing music for student and professional musicians, using compositional techniques drawn from, and adapted from the 20th / 21st century western traditions.
• Lectures will present musical aesthetic ideas and the compositional techniques they have given rise to, through examples of 20th and 21st century contemporary music.
• Through feedback from tutorials, students will learn how to apply these skills critically in the individual creation of new work.
• The students' compositions will also receive detailed feedback through composition workshops.

• Students will achieve a greater competence and experience in writing contemporary music for small and large ensembles. They will also further develop and utilise key skills in computer notation software with the aspiration of producing professionally presented scores and instrumental parts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be by a combination of lectures, seminars and practical composition workshops.
• The practical study of contemporary music demands the acquisition of subject-specific technical knowledge and aesthetic understanding (compositional models), core skills (computer notation: part and score preparation, orchestration and instrumental knowledge) and practical skills (attendance and discursive participation in workshops, critical reflection through listening, writing of score notes, programme notes, commentaries and so on).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

• THREE Compositions to be submitted for x3 Composition Workshops • TWO formative assignments relating to the written and aural analysis/recognition of contemporary music.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University