Run by School of Music, Drama and Performance

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Guto Puw

1. To study the compositional techniques of a variety of musical periods, and to apply the lessons learned to the composition of original musical works.

2. To consider aesthetic, philosophical and musicological issues of relevance to composition, and to explore the implications of these through the act of composing.

3. To develop facility in a variety of compositional techniques through the study of those techniques in detail.

4. To encourage bold experimentation and creative innovation in composition work.

5. To offer experience composing in non-tonal styles (pre-tonal, post-tonal, atonal), and using new approaches to form.

6. To contribute to the personal development of student composers through the development of their creativity as individuals.

This module seeks to build on Level 4 (year 1) Composition (WXK/WXC1011), while at the same time introducing new ideas and techniques. Throughout, the emphasis will be on introducing students to the multiplicity of styles and techniques that have emerged during the second half of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. This may include bold experimentation and creative innovation, including working with non-tonal styles (pre-tonal, post-tonal, atonal, noise, sound, silence), or the study of avant-garde, post-tonal and post-minimal, and or post-dogma styles of more recent decades.

The module will also lay the foundation for undertaking Composition Projects during Level 6 (year 3).

threshold

The composition displays some limited creative imagination, with restricted control of musical materials, and minimal understanding of the capabilities of resources (instrumental and vocal). There is scant evidence of a generally intellectual approach.

good

The composition displays a good level of creative imagination, with good control and elaboration of musical materials, based on technical competence in use of resources (instrumental and vocal). There is also evidence of intellectual acumen.

excellent

The composition displays a high level of creative imagination, with emergent individuality of compositional voice, skilful control and elaboration of musical materials, and technical mastery of resources (instrumental and vocal). There is also evidence of high level of ability at conceptual thought, penetration of issues, originality of approach and/or insight.

1. Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to evaluate the compositional merits of a specific piece of work composed in a contemporary style, and apply these judgments to their own work;

2. Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate some originality of thought and will have begun moving towards creative independence;

3. Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to employ a range of relevant compositional techniques;

4. Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to confidently work with the tools and materials of composition;

5. Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to write music which: a) achieves a measure of balance of unity and diversity;
   b) displays an economy of means;
   c) makes use of techniques studied on the course;

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Coursework 1		15.00
	Coursework 2		15.00
	Main assignment 1		35.00
	Main Assignment 2		35.00

		Hours
Private study		167
Lecture	11 weekly lectures of up to 2 hours. Other classes coinciding with the Bangor New Music Festival or the visit of a composer or ensemble may also be arranged as appropriate.	22
Seminar	11 weekly seminars of 1 hour's duration.	11

• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Musicianship skills – recognition, classification, contextualisation, reconstruction, exploration
• Creative skills – conception, elaboration, adaptation, presentation, collaboration, preservation
• Intellectual skills specific to Music – contextual knowledge, cultural awareness, critical understanding, repertoire knowledge, curiosity, analytical demonstration
• Skills of communication and interaction – oral and written communication, public presentation, team-working and collaboration, awareness of professional protocols, sensitivity, ICT skills, etc.
• Skills of personal management – self-motivation, self-critical awareness, independence, entrepreneurship and employment skills, time management and reliability, organisation, etc.
• Enhanced powers of imagination and creativity (4.17)

Resource implications for students

None.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/wxk-2233.html

Reading list

No reading list required for this course. A list of recordings and scores will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Pre-requisites:

• WXC-1011: Cyfansoddi Blwyddyn 1
• WXK-1011: Composition Year 1

Pre-requisite of:

• WXC-3289: Cyfansoddi (project)
• WXK-3289: Composition (project)

Compulsory in courses:

• W3P3: BA Astudiaethau'r Cyfr & Cherdd year 2 (BA/ACC)
• WW93: BA Creative Studies and Music year 2 (BA/CSTMUS)
• 32N6: BA English Literature and Music year 2 (BA/ELM)
• VW23: BA Hanes Cymru a Cherddoriaeth year 2 (BA/HCAC)
• VW13: BA History and Music year 2 (BA/HMU)
• W3H6: BA Music and Electronic Engineering year 2 (BA/MEE)
• WV33: Music & Hist & Welsh Hist (IE) year 2 (BA/MHIE)
• W303: BA Music (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/MIE)
• PW33: BA Media Studies and Music year 2 (BA/MSMUS)
• RW13: BA Music/French year 2 (BA/MUFR)
• WR32: BA Music/German year 2 (BA/MUGE)
• WR33: BA Music/Italian year 2 (BA/MUIT)
• W300: BA Music year 2 (BA/MUS)
• WW38: BA Music and Creative Writing year 2 (BA/MUSCW)
• WW36: BA Music and Film Studies year 2 (BA/MUSFS)
• WR34: BA Music/Spanish year 2 (BA/MUSP)
• VVW3: BA Philosophy and Religion and Music year 2 (BA/PRM)
• QW53: BA Cymraeg/Music year 2 (BA/WMU)
• W304: BMus Music (with International Experience) year 2 (BMUS/MIE)
• W302: BMUS Music year 2 (BMUS/MUS)

Optional in courses:

• T103: BA Chinese and Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CHCS)
• WPQ0: BA Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CST)
• WPQB: BA Creative Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 2 (BA/CST1)
• WQ93: BA Creative Stds & English Lang. year 2 (BA/CSTEL)
• WR91: BA French and Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CSTFR)
• WR92: BA German and Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CSTG)
• WR93: BA Italian and Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CSTITAL)
• WR94: BA Spanish & Creative Studies year 2 (BA/CSTSP)