Module MUSI40690: Composition Portfolio

Department: Music

MUSI40690: Composition Portfolio

Tied To

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To provide an opportunity for independent compositional research, both as a major component of the chosen field at MA level and both as possible preparation for further research at doctoral level.
• To facilitate the acquisition of advanced skills and technique in composition.
• To enable students to develop a critical understanding of, and reflective approach to, the field of contemporary music, above all as the basis for the critical evaluation of their own compositional research.

Content

• Under the guidance of the course tutor the student will submit a portfolio consisting of a group of several musical compositions lasting a total duration of at circa 30 minutes, including at least one substantial work. The portfolio may include acoustic, as well as electroacoustic works. Alternatively, students may submit a purely electroacoustic portfolio of 15 minutes. The submitted portfolio should include a commentary of 750-1000 words for each composition.

Learning Outcomes

• 1. Students will apply independently a range of advanced compositional techniques, as well as the perspective and critical understanding required to demonstrate them, where appropriate, in their own compositional research.

• 2. Students will learn how to apply the skills necessary to compose complete works with fluency, authority, innovation and originality.
• 3. Through further performance opportunities, students will engage directly with the practicalities of creative communication and expression via the medium of music composition.

• 4. The module will facilitate the further development of those compositional techniques most appropriate for the articulation of each student's musical ideas.

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

• The seminars and tutorials will enable the students to express their own creativity and develop their own compositional voice in response to a range of ideas associated with the development of contemporary music (LO 2).
• Through tutorials, students will acquire skills additional to those already obtained at lower levels of study (i.e., how to articulate musical ideas clearly and authoritatively, preparing scores, parts and electroacoustic materials (where applicable) to a professional standard) (LO 1, 4).
• Opportunities will arise for works or excerpts thereof to be performed in the context of workshops and/or performances (LO 3).
• The course will facilitate suitably critical, student-led evaluative and reflective appraisals with respect to the development, articulation and dissemination of research ideas (LO 1, 4).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

One-to-one feedback on work submitted by students for tutorial sessions. Feedback given by performers and tutors in response to workshop sessions and public performances.