MUS 110 : Composition 1

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Foundational studies in music composition and sonic arts. Modular content includes: rhythm and meter, melody and harmony, structure and gesture, time and meter, synthesis and notation and repertoire study. Students may complete Composition 1 and Composition 2 in any order.

Course Overview

Student composers at this level begin to develop their technical knowledge, and combine the resulting skills with creative thinking. Composition is studied by composing for a number of elementary ensembles using a range of methodologies. Composers also need to engage with a range of notation and sound-based approaches and develop critical skills. This course provides the first of six structured semesters which aim to develop a professional foundation which prepares the student for graduate study or provides enrichment of their musical experience for the many other activities in which composition graduates engage, including teaching, performing, arts administration and management, broadcasting and media work. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop skills in creative composition for several small instrumental and/or vocal configurations. (Capability 1, 3 and 5)
  2. Demonstrate competency in notation (including computer technology), suitable for the project material. (Capability 1 and 3)
  3. Develop the confidence to organise performances of their compositions in an informal class situation and take part in small performance/improvisation-based tasks in class time. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Contribute to critical discussion of varied relevant repertoire examples and comment in written form on Composition Workshops and other contemporary music events. (Capability 2 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments: Module 1 - pre-task 5% Individual Coursework
Assignments: Module 1 40% Individual Coursework
Assignments: Module 2 45% Individual Coursework
Reports: Written work 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments: Module 1 - pre-task
Assignments: Module 1
Assignments: Module 2
Reports: Written work
Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students. 

Teaching & Learning Methods

Lectures:
  • instrumental/vocal methodology and notation
  • sound-based music composition practices and exercises in computer-aided composition
  • listening and discussion
  • group exercises and activities
Workshop:
  • performance and discussion of student compositions 
  • demonstration of instruments and extended performance techniques 
  • presentations from visiting composers and performers 
Tutorials:
  • Group tutorials are held at several points throughout the semester, to provide assistance with assignment tasks.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 12 hours of workshops, 4 x 1-hour group tutorials, 32 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 66 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to support key components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings where university camera-equipped rooms are used, or otherwise to the best of a teachers' ability to provide Other learning activities including tutorials and office hours will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events including tutorials.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas. References will be given in class as the semester progresses, but students will also be expected to be motivated to carry out their own programme of listening and research.
Recommended or Supplementary Reading
The following books may be referred to in lectures and are on short loan in the Music Library. A reading list will be available on Canvas.
Behind Bars, The Definitive Guide to Music Notation
Elaine Gould, 2011, (London: Faber Music Ltd)
The musician's guide to theory and analysis 
Jane Piper Clendinning, Elizabeth West Marvin 1955 (New York: W.W. Norton 2011. 2nd ed.)
Tonal harmony: with an introduction to twentieth-century music 
Stefan M. Kostka, Dorothy Payne, Byron Almén 1968 (New York: McGraw-Hill 2012. 7th ed.)
The Study of Orchestration Samuel Adler 2016 (New York: W.W. Norton 4th edition)  
Instrumentation and Orchestration Alfred Blatter 1997 (New York: Schirmer Books 2nd ed.) 
Other Materials or Software 
Vocal/instrumental scores are to be prepared using Sibelius computer software unless other arrangements are made with the lecturer.
Computer access for use of software 
Students enrolled in MUS 110 will receive access to 250-215 Composition Studio 2 during the hours of 7.30am-11.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-6.00pm weekends. Access cards should be automatically enabled by week 4 of semester. Students who experience difficulty with obtaining access to the composition studio should contact the NICAI Student Centre, Building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 2.

Computer access for use of Sibelius:
Faculty computers are available both at the School of Music Composition Studio 2, 250-215, 6 Symonds St, and at the Kenneth Meyers Centre, 820-118, 74 Shortland St.
Additional computers are located in the Architecture, building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 5, Room 521.
Remember, save your work frequently and always back up!

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Attendance: Due to the creative nature of the course and the importance of listening and discussing in a group setting, it is not possible to understand and engage with the coursework requirements without regular attendance. It is expected that students will attend all lectures, tutorials and workshops. Attendance register will be kept.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/12/2020 11:47 a.m.