Assignment 1 – A portfolio (weighted 100%), comprising:
a) a minimum of 3 original compositions in a range of styles for different purposes
b) well-documented reflective evaluation of the tools and processes utilised and justification of your creative choices [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4]

This module is designed to develop your skills in composing and will explore the avenues for employment as a composer, as well as the styles and approaches required when creating music for different purposes. These may be, for example writing music for a band or solo artist, working as a radio jingle writer, a composer for Film and TV, computer games, musical theatre shows, and many other specific commissions.

An introduction to music theory will help you to understand composition so that you may read, write, hear and play music with appropriate recognition and understanding to its key ingredients, for example, pitch, scales and arpeggios, melody, harmony, rhythm, intervals, texture and timbre. You will experiment with a range of specialist techniques to translate theory into practice.

Your practical development will be supported by a series of listening sessions, exploring a wide variety of music genres, periods and styles from the 20th Century to the diverse music forms that are popular today. You will develop skills of critical analysis, i.e. the ability to break down and study music so as to make informed judgements about its merits and/or flaws. You will consider the power of music as a tool to inspire and touch an audience, to tell stories, express feelings, trigger a response or simply to entertain. You will discuss the undeniable long term influence of some compositions, from the songs of the Beatles to the prolific work of film composers such as Hans Zimmer, considering what makes these so influential.

Drawing on your understanding of music theory and research into the work of others, you will produce a portfolio of original compositions which will be recorded for assessment. These may be live recordings or completely MIDI based. You will be expected to reflect on your journey through the creative process, considering how effective your approaches are in creating new music for a range of identified purposes and the strategies you may need to adopt to further develop your practice in the future.

Learning strategies in this module will be a mix of theory and practice, through lectures and hand-on activities, and you will work individually and collaboratively with peers.
This will typically include:
• Research into a variety of musical works with critical analysis.
• Composition skills workshops
• Creative development workshops
• Opportunities to interact with visiting practitioners
• Performance screenings and critiques
• Individual tutorials
Throughout this module It is expected that you engage in a significant amount of independent study and creative practice as an extension to the learning that takes place during timetabled sessions.

Macs with compositional software – Logic, Reason, Ableton
MIDI keyboards
Rehearsal rooms with instruments

Snoman, R. (2004) The Dancemusic Manual: Focal Press,
Bogdanov, V. (2001) All Music Guide to Electronica: The Experts Guide to the Best Electronica Recordings: Backbeat UK,
Emmerson, S (2000) Music, Electronic Media and Culture, Simon Emmerson: Ashgate
Taylor, E. (1989) The A.B. Guide to Music Theory (Part 1): Associated Board of the Royal School of Music
Taylor, E. (1991) The A.B. Guide to Music Theory (Part 2): Associated Board of the Royal School of Music
Whittall, A. (2003) Exploring Twentieth Century Music: Cambridge University Press
Oliver, M. (1999) Settling the Score: Faber and Faber
Prendergast, M. (2003) The Ambient Century: Bloomsbury
Potter, K. (2002) Four Musical Minimalists: Cambridge University Press
Reich, S. (2004) Writings on Music: Oxford University Press

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF COMPOSITION PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURES AND A DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS IN CONSTRUCTING MUSIC ACROSS A RANGE OF RECOGNISED GENRES AND PURPOSES
[Learning; Application]

2. EVALUATE AND INTERPRET COMPOSING STYLES AND APPROACHES THROUGH THE EXPLORATION OF THE WORK OF OTHERS.
[Analysis]

3. COMMUNICATE THE RESULTS OF YOUR WORK IN FORMATS SUITED TO PURPOSE
[Communication]

4. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS OF COMPOSING IN ORDER TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF OWN PRACTICE
[Reflection]