Outline

Overview

Principal Study Composition supports the sustained development of compositional craft and creative voice through the preparation of composition(s) to be submitted at the end of each semester. Via one to one lessons, attendance at weekly Composition Seminars and Supplementary Classes, students are expected to progressively advance through Composition 5 to 8. Weekly Composition Seminars provide a forum for expert guests to present specialised knowledge. Supplementary Classes are delivered by the various members of our composition staff, and deal with a variety of topics related to craft, creativity, repertoire, workflow, technology and career. By the conclusion of the degree, students will have demonstrated a very high level of compositional ability, research capacity and notation/production skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CMPN4607
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ivan Zavada, ivan.zavada@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Carl Vine, carl.vine@sydney.edu.au
	Daniel Blinkhorn, daniel.blinkhorn@sydney.edu.au
	Daniel Rojas, daniel.rojas@sydney.edu.au
	Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Ella Macens, ella.macens@sydney.edu.au
	Damian Barbeler, damian.barbeler@sydney.edu.au
	Damien Ricketson, damien.ricketson@sydney.edu.au
	Natalie Williams, natalie.williams@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Composition portfolio A substantial portfolio of compositions, inc score, recordings & interview	80%	Formal exam period Due date: 12 Nov 2024 at 23:59	A minimum of 8-16 minutes recommended.
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Application and Engagement Self-evaluation of application and engagement during semester	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59	30
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Application and engagement Active engagement and contribution in lessons and to composition community.	10%	Weekly	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Composition portfolio: Students are required to submit a composition portfolio consistent with the practices and values of their respective composition degree focus, whether this be Composition, Digital Music & Media, or Composition for Creative Industries. Please see Canvas for further information and discuss the outcomes with your individual composition teacher.
Application and engagement: Application and engagement in principal study composition activities include: 1) attendance and participation in Wednesday composition seminar; 2) attendance and participation in indivisual composition classes; and 3) projects demonstrated contribution to the coordination of composition concerts, events or equivalent activities.
Practical test: Self-evaluation online quiz where students can list and describe their involvement at SCM and external activites in composition. This forms part of the Application and Engagement component of this core unit of study and is worth 10% of the total mark. Failure to complete this surveywill result in no marks for this component.

More detailed information for each assessment can be found on our Canvas Hub Site.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

Composition portfolios are assessed according to three criteria with the following weightings which account for 80% of your principal study mark:

Creativity: 40%
Craft: 30%
Presentation: 10%

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. Please remember to confer with the UoS Outline for full details including the duration of portfolio (4th year: 10-12 minutes of music).

Creativity (40%)

Unacceptable (F): Generic, hackneyed, pastiche.
Acceptable (20-26): Engaged with contemporary music culture and ideas but may parrot rather than seek to extend the ideas of other composers.
Competent (26-30): Influences of other composers are evident, and display steps towards taking such influences into a new, personal direction.
Superior (30-34): Convincing musical logic and direction. Engagement with repertory goes beyond imitation.
Exceptional (34-40): An original contribution to musical thinking. Convincing, confident, imaginative, personal, bold, risk-taking, engaging.

Craft (30%)

Unacceptable (F): Fundamental technical errors evident in notation, digital production, understanding of instruments, musical form, etc.
Acceptable (15-20): Capacity to express musical ideas with appropriate instrumental and/or digital media.
Competent (20-23): Displays coherent structure and convincing clarity in orchestration/standard of production.
Superior (23-26): Musical structure is fluent and lucid throughout. Displays sophisticated ability to develop and manipulate material. Advanced use of colour.
Exceptional (26-30): Obvious and unequivocal command of resources. Technique is matched to creative intentions.

Presentation (10%)

Unacceptable (F): Illegible scores. Audio format errors.
Acceptable (5-6): Notation legible but may still include unnecessary ambiguity. Electroacoustic and non score-based work supported with appropriate documentation.
Competent (7): Attractive scores presented with clarity and supported with recordings. Non score-based work informed by concise and compelling supporting documentation.
Superior (8): Presentation of work demonstrates awareness of user-friendliness and attention to consistent and individual visual style.
Exceptional (9-10): The standard of a professional commercial publication or recording with coherent visual identity.

The remainder of your composition mark is based on Application: 20%

This is arrived at via:

1. Your individual tutor: reporting on your engagement throughout the semester (ie. punctual attendance, consistency of progress, willingness to learn, etc) AND

2. Your principal study coordinator (Daniel Rojas) and composition seminar facilitator/s: attendance at composition seminar and engagement in special projects, concerts, etc.

Application (20%)

Unacceptable (F): Unmotivated, fails to work in a consistent fashion.
Acceptable (10-13): Attends lessons, seminars, workshop opportunities and demonstrates openness to learn from tutors although somewhat inconsistently. Only somewhat engaged with the composition community.
Competent (13-15): Demonstrates independent motivation and works consistently throughout the semester. Engaged in generating opportunities for public dissemination of work.
Superior (15-17): Is highly committed to composition as evidenced via engagement with the repertory, attendance at concerts, etc. Generally seizes opportunities to extend learning as they arise.
Exceptional (17-20): Is consumed by his or her artform and actively contributes to the music community at large.

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:

A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions without prior written permission. Please the Sydney Conservatorium Handbook for further information.

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	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Individual composition lesson: 12 x 45 minute weekly sessions with a specialised composition tutor focusing on craft, creativity and presentation. Students can focus on notated or electroacoustic music. Application, contribution and engagement with the activities of this unit of study is an inherent part of this course.	One-to-one tuition (9 hr)
Weekly	Weekly Composition Seminar Wednesdays 12-1. Weeks 2-7, 9, 11, 12. Each strand meets for their own break out seminar group: 1. Composition for Creative Industries Focus: Alison Cole; 2. Digital Music & Media Focus: Ben Carey; 3. Composition (instrumental) Focus: Paul Stanhope. Each seminar group discusses repertoire, practices and concepts relevant to their respective area. Weeks 1, 8 & 13 all composition cohorts meet for a combined seminar with a guest speaker.	Seminar (12 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean (Education) or relevent delegated authority. The Associate Dean (Education) 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 per cent.

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 specal 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.

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

The following are not mandatory but very useful:

Behind Bars by Elaine Gould (Faber Music) is recommended as a reference for notation-based work. The presentation component of these units of study may be marked according to guidelines in this text.

The Study of Orchestration by Samuel Adler (W. W. Norton & Co.) is recommended as a reference for instrumentation and orchestration.

The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross (Fourth Estate) is recommended as a general reference for the development of compositional trends and developments throughout the 20th Century. This is an important guide to the century that preceded ours and hence provides helpful context to the musical milieu in which you are currently working.

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. demonstrate a very high level of compositional craft, research capacity, and notation and production skills
LO2. demonstrate good discernment in compositional decisions
LO3. demonstrate an appreciation of, and engagement with, a broad range of compositional traditions, genres, perspectives and practices
LO4. demonstrate confidence and independence in your creative practice
LO5. demonstrate confidence and independence in your creative practice
LO6. liaise with the performers of your compositions, emphasising clear communication and meet submission deadlines.

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.

Weekly Supplementary classes expanded to implement more guest instrumentalists to workshop and perform student compositions.

Additional information

Extensive information can be found on the Canvas Hubsite for Composition, Digital Music and Creative Industries. This includes further information regarding assessment criteria, unit of study details, and other content, such as composition/career opportunities.

Please note that 4th-year students enrolling in CMPN4608 as part of Composition Creative Industries or Digital Music and Media, will need to refer to the Canvas Hubsite for additional assessment information.

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

CMPN4608: Composition 8

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

Creativity (40%)

Craft (30%)

Presentation (10%)

Application (20%)

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

Disclaimer

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Student links

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