This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module MUSI43730: Advanced Projects in Stylistic Composition and Arranging
Department: Music
MUSI43730: Advanced Projects in Stylistic Composition and Arranging
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 30 | Available in 2025/2026 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- Students will be required to demonstrate historical composition and/or arranging skills equivalent to a strong 2:1 final-year undergraduate portfolio. They should provide details of their prior experience, including any relevant undergraduate modules taken. At least two complete scores (total duration at least five minutes) must be submitted as evidence of the appropriate level.
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To develop skills in historical pastiche composition and/or arranging.
- To encourage the fruitful association of compositional and analytical skills.
Content
- Under the guidance of an appropriate member of staff, each student will devise and carry out a project of one of the following types: (1) composition of one or more works in a given historical style (or styles), accompanied by a full analytical commentary (including a fully annotated score, produced concurrently with the composition and showing relevant details such as harmonic progressions, figuration, and main motives); (2) an advanced instrumental and/or vocal orchestration/arranging project, also accompanied by a commentary and condensed score illustrating the rationale of the scoring.
- The project may be related to a specific analytical interest, e.g., dissonance treatment in a particular style or genre.
- The project may relate to music of any genre, ensemble type or historical period, subject to availability of appropriate supervisory expertise.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- advanced knowledge of particular musical repertoires
- advanced knowledge of relevant principles and concepts of musical grammar and form
- advanced knowledge of particular compositional techniques relevant to a given genre and period
- advanced knowledge of principles and techniques of arranging
Subject-specific Skills
- the ability to work creatively within a given historical idiom
- rigorous, critical reflection on one’s own creative work (rather than reliance on intuition)
- application of analytical skills to creative work
- advanced competence in musical literacy
Key Skills
- ability to analyse critically
- an advanced degree of competence in the planning and execution of complete works
- effective time management and the ability to work to deadlines
- professional presentation skills
- problem-solving skills
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The project will be discussed during meetings, like a dissertation. In the case of a pastiche composition, sketches will be analysed in terms of thematic syntax, counterpoint etc. and compared with relevant models. In the case of an arrangement, feedback will be given on sketches and preparatory condensed scores, again in comparison with relevant models.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedback Sessions | 5 | Through the 3 terms | 1 hour | 5 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 295 | ||||
| Total | 300 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scores | 60% | Composition | 8-10 minutes, not counting exactly repeated sections such as expositions, non-varied rondo themes etc. | 100% | |
| Essay | 40% | Commentary | 2,000 words, plus music examples including fully annotated score(s) of all compositions/arrangements | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Passages from the planned pieces should be submitted regularly and discussed in meetings.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.