THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Music

Undergraduate Course: Composition 1 (MUSI08067)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course will offer experience in both pastiche and free composing through the exploration of compositional techniques used throughout the history of western music and in the present.
Course description Students will be guided, through a series of graded exercises and projects, to create music in a contemporary context, and to recreate music of past styles.
Weekly lectures will present and analyse models of composition, while weekly small-group tutorials will discuss student assignments in detail. These weekly stimuli and assignments will form the basis of portfolios which will be submitted for assessment at the end of each of the two semesters.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students must have a Scottish Higher or GCSE A Level in Music at Grade A or equivalent.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesEquivalent of a Scottish Higher or GCSE A Level in Music at Grade A is a pre-requisite. Prospective students should discuss their qualifications with the Course Organiser to assess their suitability for this course.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  55
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 24, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Summative Assessment Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 126 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Semester 1 portfolio (50%): two free compositions for the instrumentation of your choice (each lasting approximately 3-5 minutes)

Semester 2 portfolio (50%): four stylistic compositions, chosen from a number of assignments set during the course.

Relationship between Assessment and Learning Outcomes:
The Semester 1 portfolio (50%) will assess Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. The Semester 2 portfolio (50%) will assess Learning Outcomes 3 and 4.
Feedback Students will receive feedback on weekly formative assignments. Oral feedback will be provided in lectures and tutorials.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Study and discuss compositional techniques across styles and genres, and explore these techniques through the creation of their own work.
  2. Write music creatively, and to express and present their ideas clearly.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of compositional techniques from within the Common Practice Era e.g. J.S. Bach and J. Hadyn.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of harmony counterpoint, and the basic skills of composition.
Reading List
Anna Butterworth, Harmony in Practice (London, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, 1999 plus reprints)

Owen Swindale, Polyphonic Composition (Oxford, 1962 plus reprints)

Elaine Gould, Behind Bars: The Definitive Guide to Music Notation (Faber Music 2011)

Alfred Blatter, Instrumentation and Orchestration- Second Edition (Schirmer Books 1997)
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills A deeper understanding of the history of western music as experienced through both pastiche and free composition

The ability to express themselves through the creation of musical compositions
Keywordscomposition,stylistic pastiche,harmony,counterpoint,orchestration
Contacts
Course organiserDr Gareth Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 2429
Email: gareth.williams@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Carrie Lyall
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: Carrie.Lyall@ed.ac.uk
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