2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MUSS2220 Composition

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Mic Spencer
Email: M.Spencer@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisites

MUSS1220

Composition

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module builds on level 1 Composition by introducing new techniques and aesthetic concerns, widening students’ understanding of material, form, instruments, etc, and deepening critical focus on students’ development of a personal compositional voice. Acoustic compositionAcoustic composition focuses on four seminal and contrasting living composers of the avant garde, each of whom offers a different approach to contemporary composition. Electroacoustic / sound composition investigates experimental techniques for making music exploring microphone technique, granular sound processing, and free improvisation.Module structure and assessment are as the Level 1 Composition module. The class is split at the start of the semester into acoustic and electroacoustic composition groups. The two groups are taught separately, and in the second semester the groups are swapped. Assessment in both semesters is less restrictive than the Level 1 module, but with the focus remaining on progressive art musics.

Objectives

On completion of his module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- a knowledge of contemporary music, or music of a specified genre and type, gained through practical application of compositional technique;
- clear and carefully organised notation of musical ideas, or an effective means of documenting non-notated compositional material;
- technical ability with identified forms, compositional models or musical practices;
- some ability to assimilate given compositional styles using these as a 'springboard' for developing fluency in free composition.

Learning outcomes
On completion of his module, students will be able to demonstrate:
-New techniques for music composition.
-New formal designs for music composition.
-Presentation skills.
-Critical self-evaluation of creative composition work.
-Ability to contextualise own work in relation to other historical developments and aesthetic positions.

Skills outcomes
- New techniques for music composition.
- New formal designs for music composition.
- Presentation skills.
- Critical self-evaluation of creative composition work.
- Ability to contextualise own work in relation to other historical developments and aesthetic positions.

Syllabus

The class will be divided in half at the start of the module with the first cohort studying approaches to acoustic music composition, while the second cohort will study approaches to electro-acoustic music composition. In the second semester the two cohorts will swap and study the other compositional approach. Lectures will focus on analysing a particular composer (e.g. Ferneyhough, Saunders or Barrett) or a 'school of thought' (eg the New York School, spectral-school).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	2.00	4.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			174.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to analyse scores and/or recordings of composers who form the focus of the lectures and to do further reading as recommended by the lecturer and to write their music compositions and commentaries. Please note that all concerts of contemporary music put on by the School are compulsory to attend. These are vital support for your learning and understanding, and will often be used as examples or points of discussion in lectures.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students are monitored through attendance at lectures where there is the potential for them to ask questions for clarification of issues, and at the end of each semester when they submit 50% of their coursework and are given formative feedback.

Students can also benefit from peer-learning through a discussion forum in the VLE.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	1 electro-acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words OR 1 acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words	50.00
Portfolio	1 electro-acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words OR 1 acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words.	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/09/2024

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