Module manager: Dr Mic Spencer
Email: M.Spencer@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| MUSS1220 | Composition |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module builds on level 1 Composition by introducing new techniques and aesthetic concerns, widening students’ understanding of material, form, instruments, etc, and deepening critical focus on students’ development of a personal compositional voice. Acoustic composition Acoustic composition focuses on four seminal and contrasting living composers of the avant garde, each of whom offers a different approach to contemporary composition. Electroacoustic / sound composition investigates experimental techniques for making music exploring microphone technique, granular sound processing, and free improvisation. Module structure and assessment are as the Level 1 Composition module. The class is split at the start of the semester into acoustic and electroacoustic composition groups. The two groups are taught separately, and in the second semester the groups are swapped. Assessment in both semesters is less restrictive than the Level 1 module, but with the focus remaining on progressive art musics.
On completion of his module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- a knowledge of contemporary music, or music of a specified genre and type, gained through practical application of compositional technique;
- clear and carefully organised notation of musical ideas, or an effective means of documenting non-notated compositional material;
- technical ability with identified forms, compositional models or musical practices;
- some ability to assimilate given compositional styles using these as a 'springboard' for developing fluency in free composition.
On completion of his module, students will be able to demonstrate:
-New techniques for music composition.
-New formal designs for music composition.
-Presentation skills.
-Critical self-evaluation of creative composition work.
-Ability to contextualise own work in relation to other historical developments and aesthetic positions.
- New techniques for music composition.
- New formal designs for music composition.
- Presentation skills.
- Critical self-evaluation of creative composition work.
- Ability to contextualise own work in relation to other historical developments and aesthetic positions.
The class will be divided in half at the start of the module with the first cohort studying approaches to acoustic music composition, while the second cohort will study approaches to electro-acoustic music composition. In the second semester the two cohorts will swap and study the other compositional approach. Lectures will focus on analysing a particular composer (e.g. Ferneyhough, Saunders or Barrett) or a 'school of thought' (eg the New York School, spectral-school).
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 22 | 1 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 174 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are expected to analyse scores and/or recordings of composers who form the focus of the lectures and to do further reading as recommended by the lecturer and to write their music compositions and commentaries. Please note that all concerts of contemporary music put on by the School are compulsory to attend. These are vital support for your learning and understanding, and will often be used as examples or points of discussion in lectures.
Students are monitored through attendance at lectures where there is the potential for them to ask questions for clarification of issues, and at the end of each semester when they submit 50% of their coursework and are given formative feedback.
Students can also benefit from peer-learning through a discussion forum in the VLE.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 electro-acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words OR 1 acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words | 50 |
| Portfolio | 1 electro-acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words OR 1 acoustic composition accompanied by a commentary of between 500-1000 words. | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 9/9/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team