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 In a range of contexts, 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 Student Outcomes. Further information on submission requirements is detailed in the Assessment Specifications.
Assessed LOs: 1, 2, 3.
Assessment criteria
Assessors will look for:
- control of musical parameters
- use of materials and resources
- individuality, originality
- experimentation, collaboration
- presentation (notation, writings, documentation)
- ideas, concepts, approaches
- context, idiom, style, trend
Feedback
You will receive 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) |
| Status | Core |
| Module coordinator | Head of Department |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | Graduate 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 |