COMPOSITION 2A - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module introduces you to a range of fundamental compositional techniques and concepts, applicable in many stylistic contexts.You will encounter and expand your knowledge of a diverse range of global and historical musical practice on the acoustic and electronic domains, as well as theoretical concepts that unite and delineate such broad approaches. In so doing, you will not only learn to emulate specific compositional practice, but also to forge an individual, informed and contemporary compositional voice.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

MERMIKIDES Milton (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None 

Module content

The following is an indication of the likely topics to be covered:

• Idiomatic composition for solo instruments, ensemble and/or electronics


• Notation for contemporary music.


• Compositional methodology.


• Content related to student work.


• Presentation and discussion of student work.


• Module content addressing broadly applicable compositional techniques informed by a range of sources.

Theoretical areas may include (indicative content)

• Pulse, tempo and metre


• Meters, patterns and polymetre


• Elements of groove


• Stylistic rhythmic composition and production


• Motif and melody


• Tuning concepts

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop their compositional skills through engagement with contemporary compositional techniques, theories and awareness of relevant creative practice.

The formative assessment for this module consists of:

• Weekly compositional exercises exploring particular techniques


• Feedback during workshops and/or Surreylearn


• An unassessed presentation on the students’ developing portfolios and research.

Summative assessment

Student learning is assessed through the following coursework exercises:

• Coursework 1: (Compositional Research Task) A composition with a duration of up to 5 minutes, together with a commentary of no more than 1000 words and an audio realization and notation of the work, showing theoretical understanding, independent research and idiomatic creative application of module concepts. 


• Coursework 2: (Compostion Portfolio) A composition (which may be multi-movement) demonstrating theoretical understanding and a creative idiomatic application of module concepts, with a duration of up to 6 minutes, together with a commentary of no more than 1000 words and an audio and notational realization of the work. 

Both portfolios will gauge the strength and weaknesses of various areas including

1. theoretical understanding of module concepts


2. Initiative and rigour of research skills


3. Idiomatic and impact of musical application


4. Presentation of commentary and scores


5. Creativity and ambition of projects


6. Critical reflection and evidence of awarness of, and contextualisation with, relevant compositional practice.


7. Quality of audio realisations of works.

Feedback

Feedback is given throughout the module, through compositional exercises, workshops and tutorials. Detailed feedback on the portfolios is given (with a breakdown of strengths and weaknesses) in order to enhance continuing compositional practice.

Module aims

• Introduce you to research methods that support creative practice.
• Forge a connection between your practice and broader musical culture.
• Develop analytic insight into idiomatic compositional practice.
• Develop practical skill in idiomatic compositional practice.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Encourage an active engagement with compositional practice through concept-led research and listening in a wide range of styles, and practical experience in writing for a range of idioms (using instrumental, electronic and mixed media).

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures.


• Seminars.


• Tutorials.


• Guided reading and listening.


• Responding to questions in class.


• Preparing and giving class presentations.


• Producing a portfolio of research material and an accompanying composition.


• Producing a portfolio of individual compositional work.

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: MUS2035

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing resourcefulness and resilience,  employability, digital skills, global and cultural awareness, and sustainability as it relates to music and the wider arts.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module builds resourcefulness by challenging students to create pieces of work on their own, which involves initiative, tenacity and the ability to combine listening, creative and project management skills.

Employability: This module requires the ability to compose original works to a specific brief and deadline, along with useful scores, convincing audio and insightful commentary. These skills are all hugely desirable and employable skills in the music industry.

Global and cultural capabilities: Students in this module are required to engage with a wide range of repertoire from different musical cultures ranging from diverse traditional forms to jazz, popular music and the Western classical tradition. The module encourages students to appreciate the musical invention, expression and cultural context of these diverse musical forms.

Digital capabilities: Students are required to engage with a range of digital skills including audio file management, Internet research, digital music notation, word processing and digital audio production.

 

Programmes this module appears in

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 2024/5 academic year.