COMPOSITIONAL PROGRAMMING A - 2019/0
Module code: CMT3008
Module Overview
This module is designed to provide you with music programming skills beyond the modular synthesis methods explored in your second year.
Module provider
Music and Media
Module Leader
HALL Thomas (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 128
Lecture Hours: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
CMT2003 (Creating Music with Computers 2B) is a pre-requisite for this module
Module content
The following is indicative of likely topics (these may vary depending upon students’ interests and subject knowledge):
- Overview of compositional programming (origins, variants, text vs graphic coding methodologies, current state of affairs)
- Investigation of the genre of algorithmic composition (historical and contemporary)
- Programming: visual programming principles, design, coding skills, externals, data flow, control data handling, debugging
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | WRITE AND CODE A MUSICAL CANON | 30 |
| Coursework | DESIGN AND BUILD A FULLY FUNCTIONAL ALGORITHMIC MUSIC SYSTEM THAT PERFORMS A PIECE OF MUSIC | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate artistic and technical knowledge.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- A 2 or 3 part musical canon performed by a patch, all written by the student (LO 1T5)
- A fully functional algorithmic music patch that performs a piece of music (LO 1T5)
Formative assessment and feedback
Students work on weekly technical tasks, elements of which may be used as part of their summative assessment. These are shared in class and will receive verbal feedback as well as written feedback through individual tutorials, email, and online discussion forums. Tutorials (individual and group) will be offered both for general guidance and for assessments.
Module aims
- To introduce techniques and processes in designing and programming for composition
- To understand how to create and customise bespoke user interfaces
- To develop compositional skills in algorithmic and generative music
- To explore the aesthetics of computer-generated music
- To provide tools to help develop authorial voice as a creative musician using technology.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Demonstrate good practice in visual programming design | KPT |
| 002 | Develop effective graphic user interfaces (GUI) | KCT |
| 003 | Understand the basic principles of working with visual programming software | KP |
| 004 | Plan for, document and design an algorithmic music program | CPT |
| 005 | Be familiar with the aesthetics and practice of algorithmic computer composition | KC |
| 006 | Systems planning and documentation | T |
| 007 | Programming skills | T |
| 008 | Problem solving | T |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to create a series of lectures and workshops covering technical, aesthetic and creative skills to advance students compositional programming knowledge and abilities
The learning and teaching methods include:
- One two-hour lecture/workshop per week
- Guided reading
- Video tutorials
- Online/in class tests (not credit-bearing)
- Coursework and feedback
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CMT3008
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music (Conducting) MMus | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music (Performance) MMus | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music (Composition) MMus | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.