MUS 211 : Composition 4
Creative Arts and Industries
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Overview
MUS211 is designed to develop creativity and craft in original composition with increased focus and intensity, deepening the level of enquiry from MUS210. Students will investigate phenomena around notational and sound-based approaches to composing, through relevant repertoire, technical exercises, and a portfolio of works for a variety of resources that may include solo instruments, voices, small ensembles, found objects/sounds, loudspeakers and visual media. Assessments will include technical exercises, original works, and research presentations on existing repertoire. Students are increasingly expected to work with a degree of self-motivation and independent study as preparation for the third stage of the degree.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop and demonstrate the beginnings of an imaginative and idiomatic creative and technical skills, at a more developed standard than at the preliminary stages of study. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 6.1)
- Develop higher standards in notation (including computer technology), necessary for the delivery of set composition projects. (Capability 5.1 and 8.1)
- Organise as required performances of their compositions in an informal class situation and take part in small performance/improvisation-based tasks in-class time. (Capability 2.1, 7.1 and 8.2)
- Build on preliminary degree earned skills in studio-based composition with sonic arts tools. (Capability 3.2 and 5.1)
- Contribute proactively through verbal and written critical engagement with varied repertoire examples in and beyond Composition Workshops, Lectures and Tutorials. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Develop and demonstrate familiarity with repertoire aligned to and in contrast with their own creative work, and the preliminary ability to discuss and critique technical and aesthetic correspondences across varied repertoire. (Capability 1.2, 3.2 and 6.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Formative Assessment | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments - Module 1 | 35% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation - Module 1 | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments - Module 2 | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Accompanying written work | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Formative Assessment | ||||||||||
| Assignments - Module 1 | ||||||||||
| Presentation - Module 1 | ||||||||||
| Assignments - Module 2 | ||||||||||
| Accompanying 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 penalised 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.
Teaching & Learning Methods
- Instrumental/vocal methodology and notation
- Repertoire study and listening exercises
- Student- and teacher-led discussion
- Sound-based music composition practices and exercises in computer-aided composition
- Performance and discussion of student compositions
- Demonstration of instruments and extended performance techniques
- Presentations from visiting composers and performers
- Regular small Group tutorials provide assistance with assignment tasks and to support comprehension of lecture content.
- In office time for individual or small group of students to seek counsel on projects
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, 9 hours of group tutorials, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 63 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 only where university camera-equipped rooms are used. 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
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.
All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas, added week to week. Other Materials including scores and recordings also on Canvas and in class. A repertoire list for the entire composition area will be made available on Canvas.
Computer access for use of ProTools/Logic/Max: Students enrolled in MUS 211 will receive access to 250-215/216 (Composition Studios 1&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!
Use of Canvas is primarily for resources and submitting assignments. More complex materials can be submitted by Music Office with cover sheet in Building 250.
A Talis Reading List will be developed prior to commencement of Semester 2 and revised across the course as required. It will be linked through Canvas.
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.
This year's course will require more regular updates on student projects between assignment availability and due date.
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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
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.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.