MUSIC COMPOSITION. Composition VI Syllabus for Fall 2012

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1 MUSIC COMPOSITION UCF Composition VI Syllabus for Fall 2012 Tutor Christopher Marshall Phone: (home) (Monday, Tuesday) Room: PAC M230 NB: Please see attached document Course Overview for details on the substance and objectives of the Composition V&VI course In this semester the student will create musical compositions in a variety of forms based on the student s interests and the guidance of the tutor. There is no required text the student is strongly advised to have a copy of Sam Adler s The Study Of Orchestration on hand. Score study and additional readings will be assigned as needed. Course requirements: Requirements Description Grade % Composition output By prior arrangement with tutor, completion of an appropriate portion of the overall portfolio output described fully in the Course Overview. Submitted work will conform to the following parameters: Ø Total duration of material (either individual works or portions of larger works) performance-ready this semester: at least 15 minutes. Ø If the above quota is met through the inclusion of multiple works, these must be individual works not different versions of the same material. Ø At least one entire work should be completed this semester. Ø At least one entire work should be performed this semester. Ø If the quotas for the previous semester have not been met the outstanding requirements will be added to this semester s quota. Ø The works to be included will be the products of the student s self expression, not merely technical exercises. 60%

2 Assessable benchmarks in composition output for this semester: Benchmarks Description Grade % Personal progress Quality A mark of the improvement in all aspects of the art and craft of composition during this semester. A mark of the power of the student s music to connect on an intellectual and/or emotional level. There is subjectivity in grading musical quality, so students should be prepared to be able to support and defend any of choices they make. 20% Requirements Description Grade % Attendance Punctual attendance at all weekly tutorials with a laptop and/or hard copy of work undertaken during week. If attendance is impossible, prior notification is required. Personal research Evidence of attempts to broaden musical experience through follow-up on suggested scores and through the student s own research. Performance The quality of performance of the student s work this semester the student s role in securing a successful performance. 10% Communication and promotion The student s effectiveness in advocating for his/her own music in the pre-concert talk setting and in program notes; also maintaining a composer website, a You-Tube or Facebook artist page etc. Jury In finals week of this semester the student will make a presentation of work composed or substantially revised during that semester to a three person faculty panel consisting of the tutor and two others the tutor will make this selection. The presentation will include an audio CD containing live recordings or MIDI realizations where live performances are not available. The panel will consider this material and offer feedback, returning all materials to the student immediately or soon after the jury. Note: Attendance at a jury is a requirement for a pass grade. Formal dress is required. 10% Total Grade 100% Grading Scale: 95% - 99% = A 80% - 84% = B 65% - 69% = C 50% - 54% = D 90% - 94% = A- 75% - 79% = B- 60% - 64% = C- * 45% - 49% = D- 85% - 89% = B+ 70% - 74% = C+ 55% - 59% = D+ 44% or lower = F *please note that a C- is not a passing grade for Composition III&IV courses Please see attached document Course Overview for additional details

3 MUSIC COMPOSITION UCF Composition V&VI Tutor Christopher Marshall Phone: (home) (Monday, Tuesday) Room: PAC M230 Course Description Over the duration of between two and four semesters (at the department s discretion) students will create musical compositions in a variety of forms based on their interests and the guidance of the tutor. Some compositions will be presented for performance during the course. Course Objectives 1. To encourage the development of advanced skills in the composition of chamber, choral, and large ensemble music (and of other genres according to individual student needs) with special emphasis on extended structures. 2. To encourage an ongoing discussion on all aspects of aesthetics, style, relevance, mission, social and economic factors, and integrity as they relate to music, not in isolation but across the arts. 3. To further encourage the student s personal growth as a composer, especially as it relates to developing a recognizable style. 4. In consultation with the tutor, to construct a course of study that offers the best support to the student s career or interest beyond the course of study. Required Text None required. Score study and additional readings will be assigned as needed.

4 Course requirements for all semesters of study: Requirements Description Grade % per Semester: Attendance Personal research Punctual attendance at all weekly tutorials with a laptop and/or hard copy of work undertaken during week. If attendance is impossible, prior notification is required. Evidence of attempts to broaden musical experience through follow-up on suggested scores and through the student s own research. Performance The quality of performance of the student s work including of optional non-recital performances in the final semester. The student s role in ensuring successful performances. Communication and promotion Composition output The student s effectiveness in advocating for his/her own music in the pre-concert talk setting and in program notes; also maintaining a composer website, a You-Tube or Facebook artist page etc. Below are the requirements for the whole course, the per-semester requirement to be decided in consultation with the tutor: Ø At least four new, independent*, original works Ø Total duration of these works: at least 60 minutes. Description of these works: Ø At least one piece for orchestra or wind ensemble Ø At least one piece for a cappella choir Ø At least one piece for chamber ensemble 1 [2] [3] Final 10% 10% 60% 60% Further requirements: Ø At least one of the above should be a multi-movement work Ø At least one work should be completed each semester of study Ø At least one work should have movements long enough (suggested minimum length 10 minutes) to show skill in handling larger forms and an understanding of musical development and organic growth. Style requirements: Ø There should be a contrast in the style and musical language of the works to show the student s versatility in composing for a range of situations.** * Each piece will stand alone, not being different versions of the same material. ** Within the student s own parameters of self-expression. These are compositions, not exercises. Jury In or just prior to finals week of all semesters except the final semester, the student will make a presentation of work composed or substantially revised during that semester to a three person faculty 10% 0% panel consisting of the tutor and two others the tutor will make this selection. The presentation will include an audio CD containing live recordings or MIDI realizations where live performances are not available. The panel will consider this material and offer feedback, returning all materials to the student immediately or soon after the jury. Note: attendance at a jury is a requirement for a pass grade.

5 Assessable benchmarks for all semesters of study: Benchmarks Description Grade % per Semester: 1 [2] [3] Final Personal progress Quality Improvement in all aspects of the art and craft of composition. The creation of music that connects on an intellectual and/or emotional level. There is subjectivity in grading musical quality, so students should be prepared to be able to support and defend any of choices they make. 20% 10% 100% 80% Additional requirements for Final Semester only: Requirement Description Grade % Final Chamber Recital and Hearings 15% The student will plan and execute an individual public recital of works composed or substantially revised during the Comp. V/VI course. This recital will take place prior to spring break, or another date by arrangement. The program will contain between 45 and 60 (incl.) minutes of music. No more than 20 performers will usually be permitted to take part. When an orchestral or wind ensemble piece is performed at a different venue and time in the final semester, this duration may be counted toward this total, and by arrangement, assessment of such a performance may count toward the grade for the recital. No less than fourteen (14) days prior to the recital date, the candidate will attend a hearing before the tutor and two additional faculty. All performers must be present and prepared to perform, all program notes available for perusal. At the conclusion of the hearing students will be informed whether the recital may proceed. By prior arrangement with all parties the final jury may directly follow this hearing. Note: The scheduling of the hearing and recital, the recruitment of the additional faculty members for the hearing, and the recruitment of the performers for both events are the responsibility of the student. All additional guidelines for performance recitals as laid out in the department handbook will apply. For the FCR credit will be given for the over-all presentation, including program notes, program structure and quality of performances. Note: An FCR is a requirement for a pass grade. Final Portfolio 5% No later than 5:00pm on the Friday prior to finals week the student will submit an attractively presented, annotated portfolio of all works they wish to consider for assessment and that were composed or substantially revised within the course of study. The portfolio should include works presented to the jury in preceding semesters whether revised since or not, also an audio CD or DVD containing live recordings or MIDI realizations where live performances are not available. The portfolios will be retained by the tutor for department records. Note: the presentation of a portfolio is a requirement for a pass grade. Total 100%

6 Important notes regarding non-degree individual public recitals Department rules state that any UCF-enrolled student may apply to execute an individual public recital using university facilities. The rules are also clear that such recitals cannot be considered a course requirement and cannot count as a formal degree credit. However, Composition students who choose to undertake such a project may use the performances of their own music on the program toward their Performance Points totals (please see previous page). Students wishing to explore this option must familiarize themselves with the rules regarding the use of university facilities. Since UCF Composition will be the guarantor for such use by Composition students they will be required to sign a document accepting full legal responsibility for any breach of these regulations. Booking of university facilities for individual private recitals may only take place once it has been established there is no demand for the requested time for any official university function. Students must obtain a written commitment from a member of the Music Department faculty to be present at the event. Students will be responsible for recording the event. University equipment and personnel may not be used. Students will be responsible for all promotion and publications (including program notes). Department resources and materials may not be used. Forum credit for student performers does not extend to such events. They are identical in all other respects to any private event taking place outside UCF. Grading Scale: 95% - 99% = A 80% - 84% = B 65% - 69% = C 50% - 54% = D 90% - 94% = A- 75% - 79% = B- 60% - 64% = C- * 45% - 49% = D- 85% - 89% = B+ 70% - 74% = C+ 55% - 59% = D+ 44% or lower = F *please note that a C- is not a passing grade for Composition III&IV courses Additional Policies Attendance and participation Deadlines Academic integrity Accommodations for the differently- abled (alternate testing opportunities, support for signers, etc.) Attendance is expected. Make-up lessons will be done at the instructor's discretion. No late work will be accepted without prior approval. Students are expected to adhere to the UCF Creed and the Academic Dishonesty Policy. The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) , TTY/TDD only phone (407) , before requesting accommodations from the professor.