MUSI42560: Portfolio of Compositions in Music

• We require evidence of standard at least equivalent to a strong 2:1 degree final year composition portfolio. A portfolio of at least two contrasting works of at least ten minutes total duration must be submitted to prove that the applicant is of the required level.

• None.

• None.

• To provide an opportunity for independent compositional research, both as a major component of the chosen field at MA level and both as possible preparation for further research at doctoral level
• To facilitate the acquisition of advanced skills and technique in composition
• To enable students to develop a critical understanding of, and reflective approach to new directions in art music, above all as the basis for the critical evaluation of their own compositional research

• Under the guidance of the module leader the student will submit a portfolio of new art music consisting of several musical compositions of contrasting nature, lasting a total duration of 30 minutes, and including at least one substantial work.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students will apply independently a range of advanced compositional techniques, as well as the perspective and critical understanding required to demonstrate them, where appropriate, in their own compositional research.
• Advanced knowledge of chosen areas of compositional specialism.
• Advanced understanding of theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to musical composition.
• Knowledge appropriate to work at Masters level of the research context and of scholarly and creative work previously undertaken in the chosen areas of specialism.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant musical repertories.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant creative and performative praxes.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students will learn how to apply the skills necessary to compose complete works with fluency, authority, and originality.
• Where performance opportunities allow, students will engage directly with the practicalities of creative communication and expression via the medium of music composition.
• Advanced critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts.
• Critically- and historically-informed awareness of technical and aesthetic dimensions of musical works.
• An in-depth understanding of the ways in which music relates to its socio-cultural context.
• Skill in articulating and substantiating at a high level a refined and imaginative response to music.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories relating to the study of music.
• Sophisticated skills of effective communication and argument.
• Expertise in conventions of scholarly presentation, and bibliographic skills including accurate citation of sources and consistent use of scholarly conventions of presentation.
• The ability to communicate ideas in sophisticated prose of an appropriately high linguistic register befitting a formal academic presentation.
• An appropriate command of specialised vocabulary and critical terminology.
• An advanced ability to engage critically with theories and methodologies pertinent to the academic study of music.

Key Skills:

• The module will facilitate the further development of those compositional techniques most appropriate for the articulation of each student's musical ideas.
• Engage in close readings of a wide range of challenging texts (musical, verbal, audio-visual, as appropriate).
• Deploy independent research skills using appropriate specialist tools and resources;
• Synthesise complex materials from a wide range of sources and to present them cogently in the form of written documents, oral reports, presentations, and musical performances, as appropriate;
• Demonstrate competence in information technology skills to support MA learning and research (e.g. by means of: word-processing and music-processing software; databases; presentation software; audiovisual editing and analysis software; graph- and image-processing; web-based resources; relevant technologies);
• Deploy advanced knowledge of professional conduct in meeting academic standards, including appropriate use of relevant ethical codes of practice and correct referencing of sources;
• Deploy problem-solving skills;
• Deploy organisational skills, including time management;
• Demonstrate the ability to design and execute a major project appropriate to the chosen area of specialism which is conceptually and methodologically sound, meets appropriate professional standards, and is potentially worthy of dissemination to a critical and discerning audience.

• Opportunities will arise for works or excerpts thereof to be performed in the context of workshops and/or performances. The course will facilitate suitably critical, student-led evaluative and reflective appraisals with respect to the development, articulation and dissemination of research ideas.
• Individual consultations will provide students with guidance on all aspects of the project and feedback on work-in-progress, but without jeopardising the independence of their research.

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