Outline

Overview

The development of compositional techniques is integral to the ability to best express musical ideas and material. The focus of this unit is the creative work of students which is developed through the study of a range of compositional topics. Aspects of pitch, rhythm, counterpoint, notation, instrumentation and structure are considered both in the abstract and in relation to a variety of music.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Peggy Polias, peggy.polias@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Oliver Cameron, oliver.cameron@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Composition - major work Notated music composition for up to four performers.	40%	Mid-semester exam period Due date: 02 Jun 2024 at 23:59	3-4 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Concert organisation Group work	4%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Application/participation Participation and appropriate draft work in one to one tutorials	8%	Multiple weeks	Continuing
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Composition - small assignments Notated Musical Composition. See canvas site for details.	40%	Multiple weeks	Portfolio of small composition tasks.
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Early Feedback Task A short Quiz on music notation. #earlyfeedbacktask	2%	Week 02 Due date: 02 Mar 2024 at 23:59	30 minute Quiz
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Major work - draft Hand in a draft of the major work composition as a progress check.	6%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2024 at 23:59	3-4 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Composition - major work: A notated music score and live recording of one piece that represents an aspect of material studied during this unit of study. The composition should be for one to four instruments (may include a singer). This composition should, ideally, should be performed by live players. A video of a performance is an acceptable alernative mode of presentation, as is a hybrid of live and midi playback (if this is necessary). A concert space and time will be provided by the unit co-ordinator during semester for students to present their work. The composition is not to be written for instruments requiring amplification unless special permission is given by the unit co-ordinator. Writing for percussion instruments is discouraged at this level unless composer is working with a percussion major. Seek advice about this from UoS co-ordinator. Submit a score (PDF) and audio (mp3 file).
NB Element of performance presentation may be altered if public health orders change in relation to Covid 19.
Composition - small assignments: Small composition assignments, as set out on the Canvas site. Submit scores and audio in PDF and mp3 files. No links or zip files.
Application/participation: Assessment focussed on preparedness for tutorials, one on one lessons, participation in lectures, Wednesday Composition seminars and concert preparation as outlined on the Canvas site.

Due date and other information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Small composition assignments are assessed to the following criteria and weightings:

• Creativity: 30%• Craft: 30%• Presentation 20% • Process: 20%

The following guide provides a reference with regards marking expectations. However, it should be noted that staff might interpret the criteria as deemed appropriate to the assignments.

Creativity (30%)

Exceptional (27-30): An original contribution to musical thinking. Convincing, confident, imaginative, personal, bold, risk-taking, engaging.

Superior (23-26): Convincing musical logic and direction. Engagement with repertory goes beyond imitation.

Competent (19-22): Influences of other composers are evident, and display steps towards taking such influences into a new, personal direction.

Acceptable (15-18): Engaged with contemporary music culture and ideas but may parrot rather than seek to extend the ideas of other composers.

Unacceptable (15 or fewer): May be incomplete with a lack of effort on display; may deliberately copy generic stylistic traits.

Craft (30%) Exceptional (27-30): Obvious and unequivocal command of resources. Technique is matched to creative intentions.

Superior (23-26): Musical structure is fluent and lucid throughout. Displays sophisticated ability to develop and manipulate material. Advanced use of materials.

Competent (19-22): Mostly displays coherent structure, convincing clarity and use of materials.

Acceptable (15-18): Displays some capacity to express musical ideas with appropriate compositional elements but could improve in some areas.

Unacceptable (20 or fewer): Fundamental technical errors evident in notation, understanding of instruments, musical form, etc.

Presentation (20%)

Exceptional (18-20): The standard of a professional commercial publication or situation; excellent audio demo (if required)

Competent (15-17): Attractive scores presented with clarity but could be more professional in a number of areas. Competent audio demo (if required)

Acceptable (10-14): Notation legible but may still include unnecessary ambiguity and poor editing / formatting. Audio demo of lesser quality (if required)

Unacceptable (9 or fewer): Scores full of editorial mistakes, formatting errors and do not meet necessary standards of legibility. Might include a poor quality audio demo (if required).

Process (20%)

Exceptional (18-20): Has brought along relevant draft* work, completed to a high standard and presented in tutorials. Takes on advice to improve quality of work further.

Competent (15-17): Some good quality draft work brought to tutorials but could improve engagement with ideas/advice.

Acceptable (10-14): Incomplete but competent draft work brought to class with occasional vague details and an over-reliance on verbal presentation. May be resistant to taking on board advice.

Unacceptable (9 or fewer): Little or no actual draft work brought to class. Ideas may be expressed verbally but are not documented in terms of scores, sketches or relevant audio.

* Can be defined as relevant excerpts of completed or near complete score, pencil scored work, graphic representation and/or audio rendering.

Major Work: Is assessed with a breakdown of 40% Creativity, 40% Craft, 20% presentation. There is a separate mark for participation/application in the assessments lsited above.

The following guide provides a reference with regards marking expectations. However, it should be noted that staff might interpret the criteria as deemed appropriate to the assignments.

Creativity (40%)

Exceptional (34-40): An original contribution to musical thinking. Convincing, confident, imaginative, personal, bold, risk-taking, engaging.

Superior (30-33): Convincing musical logic and direction. Engagement with repertory goes beyond imitation.

Competent (26-29): Influences of other composers are evident, and display steps towards taking such influences into a new, personal direction.

Acceptable (20-25): Engaged with contemporary music culture and ideas but may parrot rather than seek to extend the ideas of other composers.

Unacceptable (19 or less): Generic, hackneyed, pastiche.

Craft (40%) Exceptional (34-40): Obvious and unequivocal command of resources. Technique is matched to creative intentions.

Superior (30-33): Musical structure is fluent and lucid throughout. Displays sophisticated ability to develop and manipulate material. Advanced use of materials.

Competent (26-29): Displays coherent structure and convincing clarity.

Acceptable (20-25): Capacity to express musical ideas with appropriate instrumental and/or digital media.

Unacceptable (20 or less): Fundamental technical errors evident in notation, understanding of instruments, musical form, etc.

Presentation (20%)

Exceptional (18-20): The standard of a professional commercial publication or situation.

Competent (15-17): Attractive scores presented with clarity but could be more professional in a number of areas.

Acceptable (10-14): Notation legible but may still include unnecessary ambiguity and poor editing / formatting.

Unacceptable (9 or less): Scores full of editorial mistakes, formatting errors and do not meet necessary standards of legibility.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per the University’s Assessment Procedures 2011 policy, Clause 7A, http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0: (1) It is expected that unless an application for Special Consideration has been approved (needs to be made in advance of the deadline) students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified, by 11.59pm. If the assessment is completed or submitted within the period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted before the deadline or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows: A penalty of 5% of the maximum mark will be applied per calendar day the assessment is late. After 10 calendar days, mark of zero is given for that assessment.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Weeks 2 - 9 as specified on Canvas site	Lecture and tutorial (12 hr)
	Weeks 11-13 as specified on Canvas	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
	180 minutes of one to one tutorial time, divided into either 30 or 45 minute blocks. Usually five or six sessions.	One-to-one tuition (3 hr)
Week 01	Introduction, Unit of Study Outlines, introductory lecture.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Possible workshop opportunity TBC	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School, Program Leader, or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator. The Dean, Head of School, Program Leader or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.
In addition to the rule above, full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of special consideration, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.
Students are expected to attend all mandatory Composition and Music Technology Forums at the start and end of semester (Wednesday, 12pm). A QR Code attendance roll will be taken on the day of the common forum..

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

– A professional music notation package (Sibelius, Finale, Dorico – don’t purchase limited versions): NB students using Musescore should consider swapping over to a professional package by the beginning of semester 2.

– Note Performer 4 playback engine recommended.

– Elaine Gould “Behind Bars” Faber Music.

A listening list is on the canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. utilise a broad range of compositional techniques and approaches in the construction of your creative work
LO2. begin to analyse and assess compositional techniques and approaches in existing compositions, and make use of such techniques and approaches in your own work
LO3. present score-based music to a high standard using computer music notation software and/or handwriting
LO4. understand the importance of having compositions performed and publicly presented, and being able to reflect upon such performances with a guide to potential revision of existing pieces.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updates to assessment criteria have been made to concur with new early assessment regime.

Additional information

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Learning Support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time such as an assignment, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension. The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment or during the semester , you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.
Study commitment
Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Additional costs

Purchasing of music notation software is at students' own cost. Alternatively, students may use the computer lab software.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

CMPN1601: Composition 1

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Learning Support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Additional costs

Disclaimer

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Useful links

Media

Student links

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