Principal Study Composition 1

The Principal Study is the primary focus of your learning experience, supported by regular individualised that will refine the skills needed to meet the artistic and technical expectations of the programme. Through a process of reflection, criticism and exploration, you will work with your tutor/s to develop as a thoughtful and well rounded composer with your own individual style and personality.

Module aims

This module is designed to:

• Foster technical and expressive mastery in composition
• Develop a mature musical personality and provide opportunities for its projection in-and-through practice
• Nurture, develop and promote compositional ability to a high level, with a view to the pursuit of a professional career as a composer
• Develop powers of perception, listening skills, self-criticism and the expression of one’s own musical language
• Prepare students for the pressures and demands of a professional career in composition by promoting the appropriate skills, attitudes and disciplines, by developing their critical faculties and by nurturing their commitment to the art of music
• Encourage students to research, reflect and analyse in relation to their own work and that of others
• Generate the potential for the continuing development of compositional skills and knowledge

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• LO1 Demonstrate technical and expressive mastery in composition
• LO2 Project a mature musical personality in-and-through composition
• LO3 Employ a range of knowledge and understanding in-and-through the process of making music

Assessment

Assessment 1: Portfolio (100%)

Work in this module is assessed by means of a submission of a substantial portfolio of compositions, negotiated with the specialist teacher and agreed through the online student record. Further information on submission requirements is detailed in the Assessment Specifications.

Assessed LOs: 1, 2, 3.

Assessment criteria

Assessors will look for:

LO1 – Demonstrate technical and expressive mastery in composition

• confident handling of structure
• clear understanding of texture, colour and balance
• effective and imaginative use of musical materials
• a high level of technical control of musical materials
• understanding the physicality of instruments
• signs of creative originality
• willingness to experiment
• clarity of intention in the score

LO2 – Project a mature musical personality in-and-through composition

• originality and creative imagination
• consistency and individuality of style
• experimentation in different musical genres
• awareness of panoply, context and trend
• a knowledge of the repertoire

LO3 – Employ a range of knowledge and understanding in-and-through the process of making music

• idiomatic and imaginative use of resources
• professional level of score presentation
• technological expertise in software
• willingness to absorb contemporary influences to enhance personal musical language
• consultation and collaboration with practitioners
• a pragmatic approach regarding performance opportunities

Feedback

You will recieve regular formative feedback from your tutor in your lessons, and a written report twice a year. In some departments the tutor report will take the form of a mutually constructed feedback session.

You will receive a written feedback report on each A and B assessment.

Resources

Essential

Key resources will be recommended by principal study tutors.

Summary details

Module title	Principal Study Composition 1
SCQF level	11
Credit rating	80 SCQF (40 ECTS)
Total notional student effort hours	800
Status	Core
Module coordinator	Head of Department
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	Supporting Studies Composition 1
Anti-requisites	None
Next steps	Principal Study Composition 2 or MA Negotiated Study
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Scheduled study	30 (minimum)
Independent study	770 (maximum)
Total notional student effort	800