Students enrolled in the Composition Major should own, or have easy access to, a computer running Sibelius (or Finale) music notation software and a sampled instrument library such as Garritan Personal Orchestra.

Students should make use of the resources of the Elder Music Library and the Electronic Music Unit. Students are also encouraged to attend the general musical activities of the Elder Conservatorium such as concerts, rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops and guest lectures.

Students should familiarize themselves with online resources such as the Petrucci Music Library of the International Music Score Library Project (www.imslp.org); Garritan.com; and digital media stores such as iTunes, Amazon etc.

Individual tuition (.75 hr per week) (Major only) For those enrolled in the Composition major only - develops skills in composition for various instrumental and vocal ensembles and expands knowledge of musical styles, structures, notation and score presentation.

Technical Studies (1.5 hr per week) (Major and Elective) This seminar provides the opportunity for the theoretical and historical study of the resources, techniques and styles of contemporary music principally in the classical tradition. Topics are presented in a 3-year cycle. Technical Studies is a seminar format class and students may be expected to give in-class presentations on set topics during the year. In addition to these topics occasional sessions will be set aside for guest speakers (subject to availability) or to enable guided discussion of issues related to contemporary musical aesthetics and practice based on materials handed out in class.

Composers’ Workshop (1.5 hr per week) (Major and Elective) provides for practical engagement with individual instruments and small ensembles (subject to availability) and the performance of student compositions specifically composed for this class. Mr David Harris coordinates this class and will provide details of schedule and assessment.

Students should be aware that the major assignments for Technical Studies are generally given out as close as possible to weeks 4 and 10 of each Semester and the submission dates are approximately 3 weeks after distribution. Composer’s Workshop assignments are scheduled in class and are based around compositional activities relating to available performer resources.

The Technical Studies class is based on a three-year cycle of teaching modules. This year the topics are:

Semester 1: Weeks 1-8 The French Tradition from Impressionism to Spectralism
Semester 1: Weeks 9-12 Variation Forms and Techniques
Semester 2: Weekes 1-8 Music in Latin America: Sources and Influences
Semester 2: Weeks 9-12 Opera, Musicals and Song: Synthesising Music, Text and Voice.

(Subject to variation depending on the availability of guest speakers and forum discussions etc.)

From time to time students may need to make themselves available for attendance at rehearsals, workshops, performances and guest seminars.

Assessment structure depends on whether you are enrolled in Composition as a Major (Composition 1A/1B;2A/2B;3A/3B) or as an Elective (Techniques of Composition 1A/1B;2A/2B;3A/3B).

COMPOSITION (MAJOR) 1A/1B;2A/2B;3A/3B;(1001/1002; 2001/2002; 3001/3002)
3 units per semester

Individual Tuition: 50% of final mark for Composition (Major) 1A/B;2A/B;3A/B:
Semester 1 Assessment: Students are required to submit two of the required 4 works for the folio completed (or at an advanced stage towards completion) to their teacher by noon on Monday, June 30, 2014. These works will be assessed together with a teacher’s report on student progress.
Semester 2 Assessment: Students are required to submit a folio of 4 complete works (equivalent to the specifications listed below and including the two Semester 1 works). Students will attend a 15’ panel interview (Viva Voce) to discuss their folio. Interviews will be scheduled late in Semester 2.
Technical Studies: 25% of final mark for Composition (Major) 1A/B;2A/B;3A/B. 4 assignments listed below due approximately 3 weeks after distribution (around weeks 4 and 9).
Composers’ Workshop: 25% of final mark for Composition (Major) 1A/B;2A/B;3A/B. Attendance and participation form a large part of the final assessment for this component. Composition assignments are set throughout the year.

N.B. Works composed for one component may NOT be submitted for assessment in another component. (i.e. A work written for Composers’ Workshop cannot be included in your Composition folio for the individual tuition component.)

OR

TECHNIQUES IN COMPOSITION (ELECTIVE) 1A/1B;2A/2B;3A/3B (1011A/B; 2011A/B;3011A/B)
3 units for the full year

Semester 1: 50% of the total for the full year comprised of: 25% Technical Studies assignments 25% Composers’ Workshop assignments (See details below)
Semester 2: 50% of the total mark for the full year comprised of: 25% Technical Studies assignments 25% Composers’ Workshop assignments (See details below)

Composers’ Workshop is a performance-based class and full attendance is expected.

Composition Folio guidelines (Composition Major ONLY):

First Year: total duration 20’ – content as agreed in consultation with your teacher - to include a set of short piano pieces; a song for voice and piano; a string quartet; a chamber work for small mixed ensemble.
Second Year: total duration 25’ – content as agreed in consultation with your teacher - to include a small scale mixed chamber work; a choral work; a string quartet; an orchestration of one of your previous piano works (or similar).
Third Year: total duration 30’ – content as agreed in consultation with your teacher - to include a work for chamber ensemble; a string quartet; an orchestral piece; a short collaborative/cross-artform piece (theatre, dance, film, multimedia).

The above guidelines indicate the minimum expectations for a folio. In addition to the minimum specifications outlined above you are expected to work on any composition activities that may present themselves during the year – i.e. opportunities to compose for film, theatre and dance projects. ALL students are expected to submit work for these projects and include their submissions in their final folio.

Technical Studies Assignments:
Assignment 1: A written musical analysis of a short solo or chamber work by a French composer active during the period 1870 – 2010 (selected by the student). Your analysis should include a detailed, systematically annotated score. Do not include any biographical - or excessive background - information on the work, concentrate on the music: thematic material, developmental techniques, harmonic language, rhythmic features, formal structure and stylistic language. (800 words and copy of an annotated score)

Assignment 2: A written musical analysis of a set of variations (or part of a set (approx. 5 variations) to be selected by the student. Your analysis should include a detailed, systematically annotated score. Do not include any biographical - or excessive background - information on the work, concentrate on the music: analyse the original thematic material and variation techniques employed by the composer. (800 words and copy of an annotated score))

Assignment 3: An essay profiling the music of a Latin-American composer of the student’s choice. Students will provide brief biographical details – no more than 200 words – and concentrate the bulk of the assignment on the stylistic and technical features of the composer’s music. The assignment should include discussion and musical examples from at least one representative work by the composer. (1200 words)

Assignment 4: Set a text (one of three to be provided at a later date) to music. Compose the work for either solo voice and accompaniment or unaccompanied choir. Duration approximately 5 minutes. Provide a recording. (live recording, MIDI or sampled playback submitted by email or on CD or USB Stick)

Composer’s Workshop:
Assessment is based on attendance, participation and a series of short composition assignments set throughout the year. Refer to the separate Composer’s Workshop Course Outline provided by Mr David Harris. In mid-Semester 2 students will be expected to submit 3 audio sketches for the annual collaboration with AC Arts Film and Television School.