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MU2029: COMPOSITION I: FUNDAMENTALS (2023-2024)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:37


Course Overview

This ten-week course will introduce compositional skills that are of importance to contemporary composers. These important skills are grouped into five key areas: Tonality, Melody, Texture, Rhythm and Timbre. Students will learn these skills and techniques and assimilate them very quickly, being assessed on two pieces of compositional work over the half-session.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr John De Simone

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Programme Level 2
  • Music (MU)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Composition I: Fundamentals is a skill-based course encouraging students from a low experience level to compose and to engage with varied contemporary music and techniques. This ten-week course will introduce compositional skills that are of importance to contemporary composers. These important skills are grouped into five key areas: Tonality, Melody, Texture, Rhythm and Timbre. Students will learn these skills and techniques and assimilate them very quickly, being assessed on two pieces of compositional work over the half-session. The teaching format is 5 one-hour group lectures on key topics (tonality, texture, timbre, rhythm and melody) followed by 10 one-hour half-group tutorials unpacking lecture materials – these will alternate between input and student feedback sessions.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

An original composition for 2-4 instruments

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 20 Feedback Weeks 24

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Extensive written feedback

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreatedemonstrate a degree of individuality in composition
FactualRememberdemonstrate knowledge and understanding of various compositional approaches and methods, particularly contemporary practices and idioms
FactualUnderstanddisplay awareness of the musical, structural and technical aspects of the compositional process
ProceduralAnalyseapply methods of aural and written analysis to the process of composition
ProceduralApplybe able to use notation effectively (where appropriate) with performer
ProceduralApplycommunicate an applied knowledge and understanding of the techniques and aesthetic processes involved in creating music
ProceduralApplydemonstrate communication skills by translating the music from composer to performer
ReflectionCreatedemonstrate critical thinking at all times and to be aware of their place in contemporary music making
ReflectionEvaluatedemonstrate ability to take on board advice and suggestions from peer group composers through discussion and sharing of work

An original composition for 2-4 instruments

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 14 Feedback Weeks 16

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Extensive written feedback

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreatedemonstrate a degree of individuality in composition
FactualRememberdemonstrate knowledge and understanding of various compositional approaches and methods, particularly contemporary practices and idioms
FactualUnderstanddisplay awareness of the musical, structural and technical aspects of the compositional process
ProceduralAnalyseapply methods of aural and written analysis to the process of composition
ProceduralApplydemonstrate communication skills by translating the music from composer to performer
ProceduralApplycommunicate an applied knowledge and understanding of the techniques and aesthetic processes involved in creating music
ProceduralApplybe able to use notation effectively (where appropriate) with performer
ReflectionCreatedemonstrate critical thinking at all times and to be aware of their place in contemporary music making
ReflectionEvaluatedemonstrate ability to take on board advice and suggestions from peer group composers through discussion and sharing of work

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Composition Portfolio

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplycommunicate an applied knowledge and understanding of the techniques and aesthetic processes involved in creating music
ConceptualCreatedemonstrate a degree of individuality in composition
ProceduralApplybe able to use notation effectively (where appropriate) with performer
ReflectionCreatedemonstrate critical thinking at all times and to be aware of their place in contemporary music making
FactualRememberdemonstrate knowledge and understanding of various compositional approaches and methods, particularly contemporary practices and idioms
ProceduralApplydemonstrate communication skills by translating the music from composer to performer
ReflectionEvaluatedemonstrate ability to take on board advice and suggestions from peer group composers through discussion and sharing of work
ProceduralAnalyseapply methods of aural and written analysis to the process of composition
FactualUnderstanddisplay awareness of the musical, structural and technical aspects of the compositional process

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