Explore UCD

UCD Home >

MUS20700

Academic Year 2026/2027

UCD Composition Ensemble Spring 2026-27 (MUS20700)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Peter Moran
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.


In this performance-based module, students will gain practical experience of all aspects of the composition process, from original concept and development, to ensemble arrangement, notation, rehearsal, and finally, concert performance and/or recording.

Students may enroll either as:
a) performers, who will prepare a recital of several compositions completed during the module, or,
b) composers, who will create an original musical work, under the guidance of the module coordinator, to be submitted as a score (or equivalent) at the end of the semester, and contribute to the final performance;

Students joining the ensemble are required to submit a video demonstration of their performance skills on their instrument before the start of term, or perform a live demonstration in our first class.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

All students completing this module will:
1. Learn how to develop and structure their compositional ideas
2. Learn how to write effectively for the different instruments in the ensemble
3. Learn, as performers, how to offer creative input into the composition process by demonstrating different instrumental techniques and interpretive possibilities
4. Learn about a range of contemporary and historical composition and performance practises
5. Develop practical skills pertaining to the rehearsal process, including preparing scores and parts, and working together in a small ensemble
6. Be guided in the correct use of music notation and technical terminology in order to communicate accurately with other musicians.
7. Be introduced to aspects of music technology including notation software (MuseScore, Sibelius) and digital audio workstations (Audacity, Reaper).

Indicative Module Content:

Music composition
Instrumentation
Arranging and Interpreting
Music Notation
Music Theory and Terminology
Contemporary and historical composition and performance practises
Ensemble rehearsals and performance

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Not addressed

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Not addressed

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

64
Lectures

24
Tutorial

12
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered through:
1. Practical in-class workshops exploring the students' compositional ideas
2. Class discussion and analysis of the works-in-progress
3. Regular evaluations of students' progress in their work
4. Written assignments in the form of compositional exercises to be completed at home
5. Recommended reading and listening will be delivered in class in response to the techniques the students are exploring in their own work
6. Introductory workshops to notation software and digital audio workstations
7. Autonomous Student Learning - students will work from home composing, rehearsing and recording individually, or developing their skills using the software.


AI Use Permitted for Limited Support: Students may use AI tools for limited support in
this module (e.g. idea generation, practice questions, or as a study aid). However,
students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their learning. Any use
of AI must be cited appropriately.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students are expected to have some prior musical experience of a level which would enable them to discuss musical ideas and to perform alongside fellow musicians. For example, a pianist who may be classically trained, but has not yet had experience composing or playing in an ensemble, or a guitarist who can read tablature to a concert standard.

Students focussing on composition will be given regular homework assignments, writing chords, melodies, and rhythms. Therefore, a basic understanding music notation and music theory is desirable. Additional support is also available for those who have just a little knowledge of these areas and need assistance advancing.


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: Students will be expected to demonstrate that they are making clear progress with their composing or rehearsing week-on-week. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
70
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Students will submit a written score & commentary and/or perform the repertoire they have learned in a public recital. Week 12 Graded No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The teacher will monitor student progress throughout the term. Regular feedback and guidance will be given to each student in the ensemble, especially in the final weeks before the evaluation. Students are expected to integrate this feedback into their work outside of class time, and to demonstrate their progress week-on-week.

Smith Brindle, Reginald. 'Musical Composition'. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1986).
- This is an easy read for new composition students looking for a few tips on how to start thinking about melody, accompaniment, structure, etc. with handy chapters on each topic. James Joyce Library 781.3BRI

Cope, David. 'Techniques of the Contemporary Composer'. Schirmer, USA (1997)
- For the more experienced composition student, this book covers more advanced harmonies, rhythms, techniques, concepts and theories. James Joyce Library 781.3COP


Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 18:00 - 19:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.