MUS31470 Techniques of Composition

Academic Year 2024/2025

The practice of music composition can be a deeply enriching pursuit for any serious student of music. The process of composing can yield valuable insights into the nature of musical materials and structures – insights that can inform broader musicological engagement in a variety of ways. Of course, creativity is also its own reward, and compositional work within undergraduate studies can offer a strong foundation for further development for those so inclined. The purpose of this module is, therefore, to introduce learners to a set of key compositional techniques, focusing primarily on the fundamental parameters of pitch and rhythm. The aim is to first support the learner in understanding each procedure on its own terms. From there, the learner is empowered to combine and adapt, freely and imaginatively, these techniques – in the service of their own creative impulses.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students should be able to:
• demonstrate, through short studies, an understanding of a defined set of compositional techniques
• assess, through critical discussion, the attributes and qualities of a given compositional effort
• synthesise, through the process of study and reflection, a diverse set of technical and critical tools
• demonstrate, in a self-directed free composition with accompanying report, the ability to make a personal creative statement

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1: Introduction to notation software, creating parts, and file management
Week 2: Introduction to DAWs
Week 3: Writing for solo instruments (part i)
Week 4: Writing for solo instruments (part ii)
Week 5: Writing for 2, 3, or 4 players (part i)
Week 6: Writing for 2, 3, or 4 players (part ii)
Week 7: Group discussion, presenting work-in-progress
Week 8: Writing for 5-12 players (part i)
Week 9: Writing for 5-12 players (part ii)
Week 10: Writing for Large Ensemble or Orchestra (part i)
Week 11: Writing for Large Ensemble or Orchestra (part ii)
Week 12: Group discussion, presenting work-in-progress

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

164
Lectures

24
Project Supervision

12
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- In-person lecture 2 hours per week
- Regular 2-on-one office hours with module coordinator or associated tutor.
- Self-directed research, study, and composition
- In-class discussions and peer feedback
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Write a short preparatory study of about 1-2 minutes that utilises some of the approaches discussed in class. Week 7 Graded No

30

 No
Individual Project: Write a completed composition of about 3-5 minutes that utilises some of the approaches discussed in class. This can be a continuation of your preparatory piece or a new work. Week 12 Graded No

70

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given individually to students, post-assessment by written and annotated remarks through the VLE. Feedback will be offered by peers in week 7 & week 12 in a supportive and structured way.

Name Role
David Coonan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer