MUS3012 : Major Specialist Study: Composition
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Rob Mackay
- Lecturer: Mr Phil Begg, Dr Bennett Hogg, Dr William Edmondes, Ms Nancy Kerr Elliott, Dr Mariam Rezaei
- Technician: Mr Fred Hollingsworth
- 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 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1. To engage in a substantial programme of original composition that sums up the student's undergraduate learning in composition, exploring a range of creative problems.
2. To cultivate a professional attitude to creative practice and its presentation.
3. To embark on relevant activities associated with the chosen type of composition, in order to maximise preparedness for further work in the discipline.
Outline Of Syllabus
You will be expected to apply the expertise you have acquired through your previous compositional studies, to develop critical and technical skills relating to your chosen area of composition and awareness of its wider relationship to contemporary music and culture. Under the guidance of your supervisor and in response to your artistic development you may be required to work in particular ways (e.g. to compose for designated forces to suit workshop opportunities, to work collaboratively, to use creative writing or other divergent strategies). Alongside developing your creative imagination you will be expected to cultivate a professional attitude to your practice and its presentation.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Optional project but open to all students |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | PiP. But can be synchronous online if needed |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | PiP. But can be synchronous online if needed |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 6 | 0:30 | 3:00 | PiP tutorials. But can be synchronous online if needed. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 363:00 | 363:00 | N/A |
| Total | 400:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| MUS3016 | Minor Specialist Study: Composition |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures outline creative briefs, introduce and discuss repertoire, encourage critical discussion and promotes sharing of repertoire.
Small-group teaching brings together students supervised by the same supervisor for peer discussion and more detailed scrutiny of relevant repertoire, as well as sharing works-in-progress with their immediate peers, and receiving feedback from peers and supervisor in a group context.
Tutorials provide student-specific, in-depth scrutiny of work-in-progress and technical and aesthetic advice and instruction as required by the individual student.
Private study constitutes the bulk of the work where students experiment, collaborate where appropriate, and execute works to be included in their final portfolio.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | A | 70 | Portfolio of compositions. |
| Essay | 2 | A | 10 | Critical and contextual commentary on compositions submitted. |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | A | 20 | Oral presentation of work in progress. Length of 10 mins. Presentations given and filmed at UG conference |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | The composition(s) discussed in the Oral Presentation submitted for supervisor formative feedback |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Portfolio demonstrates skills outcomes 1-6
Supporting documentation demonstrates knowledge outcomes 1-6 and skills outcomes 7 & 8
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS3012's Timetable