This course is internally assessed. Marks are allocated as follows:

Composition Project I — theme and variations or a song cycle or a set of 4 popular songs or a work for piano trio 35%

Composition Project II — ensemble or orchestral piece or a multimedia or an electronic work 35%

Repertoire (2 short listening tests in class) 10%

Attendance, contribution to class discussions and in class exercises 20%

TOTAL: 100%

COMPOSITION PROJECTS

One of the two Composition Projects may be a conjoint project. If you wish to take up this opportunity, please discuss your proposal with the course lecturer and gain approval before starting work. Electroacoustic or multimedia elements may be used in either or both projects. Once again, please discuss this aspect your proposal with the course lecturer and gain approval before starting work.

Assessment of each of the Composition Projects is broken into two parts. The first part is a composition plan worth 10%; the second part is the composition itself worth 25%. Marking sheets for both parts will be provided on Moodle.

First Composition Project

(i) PLAN to be uploaded to Moodle by Friday 10th March (10% of final grade)

(ii) COMPLETED SCORE to be uploaded to Moodle as a Sibelius file by Friday 31st March(25% of final grade).

Note: if a notation program other than Sibelius is used, then a separate audio file and a pdf of the score must uploaded.

This composition is to be one of the following:

EITHER: a theme and variations for piano (or for other instrument or ensemble by agreement with the lecturer)

1. The musical theme will be supplied
2. There should be four variations
3. The composition should show:

• a command of variation techniques
• a clear sense of overall shape and direction
• a sense of variety within unity

The style in which the variations are written is up to each student, but the style must be consistent throughout each complete work.

OR: a song cycle ­­­or choral work

1. The student will select suitable texts and arrange copyright clearance if necessary.
2. There should be at least three concise, contrasting songs (in any style) or a longer single choral work.
3. The composition should show:

• skill in composing for voice

• a balanced relationship between voice and accompaniment

• (a capella choral writing is permitted)

• a creative response to the words set

• a sense of formal control overall

OR: a work for professional piano trio

1. This option should be written for submission in this year's NZTrio student composition competition. Details will be distributed online and discussed in class. This is an opportunity to break into the national professional composition scene.

OR: some other kind of work to be agreed with the lecturer on a case-by-case basis.

In all cases, music notation must be clear, accurate and carefully dieted for layout.

Second Composition Project

(i) PLAN to be uploaded to Moodle by Friday 5th May (10% of final grade)

(ii) COMPLETED SCORE to be uploaded to Moodle as a Sibelius file by Friday 26th May(25% of final grade).

Note: if a notation program other than Sibelius is used, then a separate audio file and a pdf of the score must uploaded.(20% of final grade)

This composition is to be one of the following:

EITHER: An ensemble piece for at least four melodic instruments.

1. More instruments and voices may be used if desired.
2. The choice of instrumentation is up to each student, but care should be taken to choose forces for which players are available to make the required performance of the piece.
3. Computer or other technology may used if desired, including multi-media components.
4. The piece preferably should utilise structural principles from the Classical, Romantic or twentieth century or contemporary periods but may be in any style.
5. It should be in one or more movements or sections lasting up to six minutes total.
6. The composition should show:

• a command of part writing
• a clear sense of overall shape and direction
• a sense of contrast and unity
• control of harmonic and contrapuntal procedures
• an ability to develop motives or themes if appropriate
  1. A full score using appropriate notation is required for this assignment as well as a performance. Music notation must be clear and accurate.

OR: A short work for orchestra

1. The piece may be in any style. It should be of about 5 minutes’ duration.
2. The composition should show:

• a command of orchestral writing
• a clear sense of overall shape and direction
• a sense of contrast and unity
• control of harmonic, contrapuntal and timbral resources
• an ability to develop musical ideas economically

OR: A short work for electronics, multimedia or other forces

1. The piece may be in any style. It should be of about 5 minutes’ duration.
2. The composition should show:

• a command of the instruments being written for
• a clear sense of shape and direction
• a sense of contrast and unity
• control of harmonic, contrapuntal, textural, timbral and other compositional resources as appropriate for the genre and medium
• an ability to develop musical ideas economically

3. A full score using appropriate notation is required for this assignment as well as a performance, if an acoustic option is chosen. Music notation must be clear and accurate, and must be completed using a computer notation programme, preferably Sibelius. The score should be of a professional standard. Its quality will affect the mark given for the work. In the case of an electronic or multimedia work, a fully mastered version of the complete work must be provided. For such a work the quality of finished audio will be reflected in the mark.

Note: A live performance of orchestral compositions is obviously not always feasible in the time available, though it is certainly desirable. It is recommended that students score for standard symphonic forces with a view to submitting the piece for the orchestral reading workshops held each year by the NZSO and Auckland Philharmonia.

Note: You are responsible for keeping appropriate digital copies of all submitted work, in case a replacement copy should be required.