MUSM4032 Instrumental and Vocal Composition 4 Honours Degree
A one hour class each week in Instrumental and Vocal Composition, Analysis and Instrumentation and Orchestration in Semester I and regular supervision in Semester 2.
Prerequisite
A grade of High Distinction or Distinction in the unit Instrumental and Vocal Composition 3, and Electroacoustic Composition 3 and Composition Seminar 3.
Aim
To gain experience in composing for music theatre, including opera, and in the use of multi-media.
Content
Semester 1:
- Composition of a short tragic scene, a short lyric scene, and a short comic scene.
- Composition of a work for a student chamber ensemble and participation in the process of its satisfactory performance. Instrumentation to be nominated by the Head of the Composition Department.
Semester 2:
- Composition of a work for a student chamber ensemble and participation in the process of its satisfactory performance. Instrumentation to be nominated by the Head of the Composition Department.
- Composition Final Work-MUSM4008.
Analysis
Serial and other techniques-a study of post-dodecaphonic organisations of sound materials which still maintain segmental control (e.g. Olivier Messiaen and modes of limited transposition', non-retrogradable rhythms', 'added time values', etc.) together with an examination of permutation techniques for a limited group of intervals. (e.g. Stravinsky, Cantata; Seiber, Permutanzioni a Cinque for Wind Quintet; Don Banks, Three Episodes for Flute and Piano; etc.).
Instrumentation and Orchestration
Orchestration for the Theatre-a consideration of the problems of balance between vocal and instnunental forces in the theatre. Orchestration of sections of piano reductions of selected scores (e.g. Berg, Wazzeck; Larry Sitsky, The Fall of the House of Usher; and Weill, The Seven Deadly Sins).
Note.
All compositions are graded. To gain a pass in this unit it is necessary to gain a minimum mark of 60% of the available marks in each semester.
Assessment
- Instrumental and Vocal Composition assignments–50%.
- Composition Final Work–50%.
References
In addition to works mentioned in the 'Suggested reading for Composition students' [...], other materials will be chosen in consultation with the lecturers.
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