Composition portfolios are assessed according to three criteria with the following weightings, which account for 50% of the principal study mark:

Creativity: 15/50

Craft: 20/50

Presentation: 15/50

The following guide provides a reference with regards marking expectations. However, it should be noted that staff may interpret the criteria as deemed appropriate to the creative form and media of the portfolio.

Creativity (15/50)

•  Unacceptable (7-0 (F)): Generic, unoriginal, pastiche.

•  Acceptable (9-8): Engaged with contemporary music techniques and concepts but copies rather than seeks to extend the ideas of other composers.

•  Competent (11-10): Influenced by compositional techniques and uses them with an individual approach.

•  Superior (13-12): Convincing musical logic and direction. Engagement with repertory goes beyond imitation through application and development of compositional techniques.

•  Exceptional (15-14): An original contribution to musical thinking. Convincing, confident, imaginative, personal, bold, risk-taking, engaging.

Craft (20/50)

•  Unacceptable (10-0 (F)): Fundamental technical errors evident in presentation, understanding of instruments, musical form. Work is complete or unfinished.

•  Acceptable (13-11): Basic capacity to express musical ideas with appropriate instrumental media.

•  Competent (15-14): Displays coherent structure and convincing clarity in orchestration and standard of production.

•  Superior (17-16): Musical structure is fluent and lucid throughout. Displays sophisticated ability to develop and manipulate material. Advanced use of instrumental colour.

•  Exceptional (20-18): Professional-level command of resources. Technique is matched to creative intentions.

Presentation (15/50)

• Unacceptable (7-0 (F)): Illegible scores. Audio format errors.

•  Acceptable (9-8): Notation legible but includes ambiguity. Electroacoustic and non score-based work supported with appropriate documentation. Front matter is incomplete or excluded.

•  Competent (11-10): Work is presented with clarity and supported with adequate front matter. Non score-based work informed by concise and compelling supporting documentation. May include some errors of notation, layout and missing content.

•  Superior (13-12): Presentation of work demonstrates high levels of accuracy and attention to consistent and individual visual style. Front matter is compelling and detailed.

•  Exceptional (15-14): Professional-level score and part prepared with coherent visual identity. Front matter or supporting documentation is of professional quality.

The overall Attendence and Engagement component of 10% is assessed by staff using the following criteria:

Attendance and Engagement

•  Unacceptable (5-0 (F)): Unmotivated, fails to work in a consistent fashion. Frequent absences from class and tutorial sessions.

•  Acceptable (6-5): Inconsistently attends lessons, seminars, and workshop opportunities. Demonstrates inconsistent approach to learning. Only somewhat engaged with the composition community.

•  Competent (7-6): Demonstrates independent motivation and works consistently throughout the semester. Engaged in generating opportunities for public dissemination of work. Collaborative attitude and actions.

•   Superior (9-8): Is highly committed to composition as evidenced by engagement with the repertory, attendance at concerts, seminars and composition department events. Generally seizes opportunities to extend learning. Highly engaged in class, supportive and collaborative with fellow class members in discussions, activities and assessments. 

•  Exceptional (10-9): As for Superior. Also displays active contributions to the class, Conservatorium and broader music community at large.