MUSI43730: Advanced Projects in Stylistic Composition and Arranging

• Students will be required to demonstrate historical composition and/or arranging skills equivalent to a strong 2:1 final-year undergraduate portfolio. They should provide details of their prior experience, including any relevant undergraduate modules taken. At least two complete scores (total duration at least five minutes) must be submitted as evidence of the appropriate level.

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• To develop skills in historical pastiche composition and/or arranging.
• To encourage the fruitful association of compositional and analytical skills.

• Under the guidance of an appropriate member of staff, each student will devise and carry out a project of one of the following types: (1) composition of one or more works in a given historical style (or styles), accompanied by a full analytical commentary (including a fully annotated score, produced concurrently with the composition and showing relevant details such as harmonic progressions, figuration, and main motives); (2) an advanced instrumental and/or vocal orchestration/arranging project, also accompanied by a commentary and condensed score illustrating the rationale of the scoring.
• The project may be related to a specific analytical interest, e.g., dissonance treatment in a particular style or genre.
• The project may relate to music of any genre, ensemble type or historical period, subject to availability of appropriate supervisory expertise.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• advanced knowledge of particular musical repertoires
• advanced knowledge of relevant principles and concepts of musical grammar and form
• advanced knowledge of particular compositional techniques relevant to a given genre and period
• advanced knowledge of principles and techniques of arranging

Subject-specific Skills:

• the ability to work creatively within a given historical idiom
• rigorous, critical reflection on ones own creative work (rather than reliance on intuition)
• application of analytical skills to creative work
• advanced competence in musical literacy

Key Skills:

• ability to analyse critically
• an advanced degree of competence in the planning and execution of complete works
• effective time management and the ability to work to deadlines
• professional presentation skills
• problem-solving skills

• The project will be discussed during meetings, like a dissertation.

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