COMPOSING ELECTRONIC MUSIC B - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module is one of a two at Level 4 designed to develop your music technology skills in relation to compositional creative practice. This module continues the technical and aesthetic examinations of both established and emerging histories of this field and develops strategies for implementing contemporary approaches to computer-based compositional practices begun in Composing Electronic Music A

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

THOMPSON Bill (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 28

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

CMT1006 Composing Electronic Music A 

Module content

Indicative content includes:
- The aesthetic, technical, and stylistic basis of a range of contemporary computer- based compositional repertoire (e.g. noise, glitch, ambient, plunderphonics, live electronics, turntablism).
- Detailed study of artist case studies exploring the theory/practice dynamic (e.g. Brian Eno, Matthew Herbert, Holly Herndon).
- How to develop individual compositional practice (e.g. artistic intent, contextual awareness, technical methodology, nature of creative process, research and development of ideas).

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate ability in artistic and musical creativity and contextual knowledge.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Project: Composition Portfolio and Reflective Commentaries (addresses LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

The portfolio format is the most appropriate assessment type for this module, as it is designed to include heterogeneous types of creative electronic music practice that lay the foundation for learning at this level.

Formative assessment

Students work on regular compositional and technical tasks, which inform their summative assessment. Tutorials (individual and group) will be offered both for general guidance and for coursework assessments.

Feedback

Composition and technical task are shared in class and will receive formative feedback in the form of individual tutorials, email, and online discussion forums as appropriate. Students will also receive feedback in class from their peers as part of the learning strategy.

Module aims

• - Examine the aesthetic, technical and stylistic bases of a range of historical and contemporary electronic compositional practice.
• - Develop strategies (across theory and practice) for individual electronic music practice.
• - Strengthen students¿ critical listening skills in relation to electronic music repertoire
• - Develop reflective practice and constructive peer feedback

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to introduce electronic computer-based compositional practice and develop strategies for its implementation.

The learning and teaching methods include interactive seminars, in which students are encourages to respond to questions in class. Guided reading and listening is also an important aspect of the teaching and learning strategy as part of independent learning.

Group discussions and peer feedback help test and develop students understanding of the module content.

Supporting materials on SurreyLearn and elsewhere as appropriate supplement the learning that occurs during the weekly seminars.

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: CMT1007

Other information

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

Global & cultural capabilities

The repertoire examined over the course of this module examines a wide range of music involving varied cultural perspectives. This includes as far as possible the critical discussion and reflection upon the cultural imbalance in early repertoire due to historical prejudice. When possible and appropriate this is rectified with more representative repertoire that is explored within the module.

Digital capabilities

In the Creative Music Technology programme, our focus and ways of working inherently involve digital capabilities, using computers with specialist software for digital audio. During the course of this module (as in CMT1002) you will be encouraged and supported to use a range of specialist hardware and software, including DAWS, audio plug-ins, synthesizers and effects units. Additionally we will continue our discussion initiated in Composing Electronic Music A around the changing nature of technology, both to society as a whole but also with regard to music practice and general creativity.

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 2025/6 academic year.