Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Students wishing to take this module must have passed a Stage 1 notation-based or studio-skills-based module.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

- To further develop the student’s understanding, confidence and practical ability in composing and arranging new instrumental and/or vocal music.

- To critically engage with relevant methodologies (eg. modes, actuality, field recording, aural harmony and counterpoint, collation, adaptation and arrangement) sourced from global folk and vernacular musical traditions and practices.

- explore the crafts of musical composition via case studies of current cross-genre practices in the professional sphere.

Outline Of Syllabus

An optional module which will apply and develop skills in composition and/or songwriting and the arrangement of newly-composed pieces.

This module continues the line of development started in stage one theory and composition modules and will provide the bridge between theoretical understanding and creative application of the skills developed through composition and arrangement and songwriting. The teaching will respond to specific areas of practice and interest, enabling a fluid interaction between written, aural and practical student-centred creative approaches.

A range of case studies and relevant methodologies (eg. modes, actuality, field recording, aural harmony and counterpoint, collation, adaptation and arrangement) sourced from global folk and vernacular musical traditions and practices will be analysed and eventually applied to students’ own creative work.

The module will be delivered in a combination of synchronous lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops and supported by non-synchronous lecture materials. The assignments will be prepared in independent study time, and students must be prepared to share and discuss their own work in group sessions. Independent study time may also involve gaining additional practice in Sibelius (or equivalent) and/or home recording software.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students will have developed:

- Knowledge of key compositional and arrangement methodologies, with a view to becoming better equipped for advanced composition study and research in Stage 3 and beyond.

- Enhanced awareness of relevant artists, repertoire and commission practices in the field of contemporary global folk and vernacular music and song.

- Improved competence in musical notation where appropriate to their practice and context, including the production of scores and parts via Sibelius or similar music notation software.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

- Produce compositions informed by their own interests and areas of practice, demonstrating the application of practical compositional techniques developed and refined during the module.

- Compose and arrange to a specific brief, involving effective planning, time management and the ability to work independently on a creative project.

- Demonstrate fluency in the use of appropriate modes of portfolio submission (eg notation using Sibelius or home/studio recording techniques).

- Document and reflect upon their own creative practice in the form of a written commentary that demonstrates embedded research, knowledge and understanding of their musical field and the role of the composer in professional contexts.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials outline and illustrate techniques and approaches to composition/songwriting and arrangement, guiding students in the acquisition of core knowledge and skills, which inform their practice.

Seminars and practical workshops from guest composer-arrangers provide a forum in which students will acquire further information and exchange ideas, providing the opportunity to work collectively, share creative work and exchange ideas. Students thus gain peer-to-peer feedback, and lecturers can monitor students’ progress and understanding.

Regular independent study and creative practice is integral to the development of composition portfolios.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessment methods allow tutors to track skills development and monitor learning, making possible responsive teaching. This module also extends learning into areas of creativity. Formative composition, arrangement and analysis tasks will be set and formative feedback offered by lecturers and peers in group seminars and 1:1 tutorials.

General Notes

This updates the previously titled Composition and Arrangement in Folk and Modal Musics module, to more accurately reflect taught content.
Due to staff changes, guest- and co-tuition will be updated ASAP.