Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

• Unit Title

  Techniques of Composition

• Unit Code

  MUS2607

• Year

  2020

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  3

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Lindsay Ross VICKERY

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Description

This unit discusses techniques developed by composers to manipulate musical parameters in their work. It includes discussion of post-common practice extensions of tonal harmony, and post-tonal approaches to composition. Aspects of musical perception and their impact on notated composition are also discussed. Relevant examples from a wide range of composers will be referenced. Students explore these concepts and techniques through the creation of original works. Students also attend a composer seminar where they will hear students' composition work, visiting artists and demonstrations.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from MUS1615

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Describe and distinguish between compositional techniques and concepts, applying an understanding of a wide range of composition techniques through the composition of original works.
2. Apply technical knowledge of idiomatic writing for instruments and the impact of musical perception on compositional techniques.
3. Document their work and create neat and notationally correct scores and parts.
4. Critically reflect upon and understand the context, aesthetics, and the application of concepts and compositional processes in their work.
5. Evaluate musical performances.

Unit Content

1. Creation of original works for instruments with or without electronics.
2. An introduction to exemplar works demonstrating compositional techniques from the post-tonal era.
3. Development of skills in idiomatic writing for instruments.
4. An introduction to post-common practice compositional techniques, and discussion of students compositional practice through critical reflection upon and understanding of the context, aesthetics, and the application of concepts and compositional processes in their work.
5. The role of music perception in compositional techniques.
6. Techniques of extended tonal harmony, and post-tonal approaches.
7. An introduction to the compositional manipulation of musical parameters.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, Workshops, Seminars

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

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