Introduction to Composition

Overview

The goal of this module is to provide training in essential practical musical skills with particular emphasis on musical composition. The compositional process is explored across a wide range of practices including the use of traditional notation, graphic scores, studio assisted composition, improvisation and performance. Various compositional strategies will be explored and developed through weekly assignments. These assignments may contribute practically or conceptually to a final composition project which will be submitted in score, or performed and/or recorded at the end of the module.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module students will be able to:
• Generate, manipulate and organise musical materials
• Manage people, musical resources, formal schemes, and symbolic musical representations
• Utilise strategies for productivity in speculative musical practice, and apply these strategies beyond immediately musical contexts

Skills

The module will stress transferable skills involving processes of discrimination, selection, organisation, recontextualisation, performance and strategic thought. Critical evaluation, resourcefulness, imagination, collaborative making and individual motivation will be enhanced by participatory, hands-on learning.

Assessment

None