MUS2050 : Songwriting
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Ms Nancy Kerr Elliott
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
- To further develop the student’s understanding, confidence and practical ability in composing and arranging new instrumental and/or vocal music.
- To critically engage with relevant methodologies (eg. modes, actuality, field recording, aural harmony and counterpoint, collation, adaptation and arrangement) sourced from global folk and vernacular musical traditions and practices.
- explore the crafts of musical composition via case studies of current cross-genre practices in the professional sphere.
Outline Of Syllabus
An optional module which will apply and develop skills in composition and/or songwriting and the arrangement of newly-composed pieces.
This module continues the line of development started in stage one theory and composition modules and will provide the bridge between theoretical understanding and creative application of the skills developed through composition and arrangement and songwriting. The teaching will respond to specific areas of practice and interest, enabling a fluid interaction between written, aural and practical student-centred creative approaches.
A range of case studies and relevant methodologies (eg. modes, actuality, field recording, aural harmony and counterpoint, collation, adaptation and arrangement) sourced from global folk and vernacular musical traditions and practices will be analysed and eventually applied to students’ own creative work.
The module will be delivered in a combination of synchronous lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops and supported by non-synchronous lecture materials. The assignments will be prepared in independent study time, and students must be prepared to share and discuss their own work in group sessions. Independent study time may also involve gaining additional practice in Sibelius (or equivalent) and/or home recording software.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Lecture material with associated tasks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Practical workshops |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | Tutorials with module leader. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 161:00 | 161:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials outline and illustrate techniques and approaches to composition/songwriting and arrangement, guiding students in the acquisition of core knowledge and skills, which inform their practice.
Seminars and practical workshops from guest composer-arrangers provide a forum in which students will acquire further information and exchange ideas, providing the opportunity to work collectively, share creative work and exchange ideas. Students thus gain peer-to-peer feedback, and lecturers can monitor students’ progress and understanding.
Regular independent study and creative practice is integral to the development of composition portfolios.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 30 | Portfolio of 2 set assignments. 1 assignment will showcase arrangement skills and 1 assignment will showcase composition skills |
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 70 | Portfolio consisting of 1 major composition assignment (60%) with supporting (1000 word) written commentary (10%) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Assessment methods allow tutors to track skills development and monitor learning, making possible responsive teaching. This module also extends learning into areas of creativity. Formative composition, arrangement and analysis tasks will be set and formative feedback offered by lecturers and peers in group seminars and 1:1 tutorials.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS2050's Timetable