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MUSIC COMPOSITION UCF Composition III – Syllabus for Fall 2012

Tutor – Christopher Marshall

Phone: 321 274-4198 (home) | 407 823-6139 (Monday, Tuesday) Email: [email protected] Room: PAC M230

NB: Please see attached document Course Overview for details on substance and objectives of the Composition III&IV 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. Some of these compositions will be performed.

There is no required text – the student is strongly advised to have a copy of Samuel 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.

Ø Achieve at least 8 Composition Points this semester.

Ø Full complete at least one work over the course of this semester.

55%

Attendance Attend all weekly tutorials on time with a laptop and/or hard copy of work undertaken during week. If attendance is impossible, prior notification is required. Attend all evening master-classes, composition forums and additional workshops.

15%

Personal Research Demonstrate evidence of attempts to broaden musical experience through follow-up on suggested scores and through own research.

Benchmarks

Personal Progress Demonstrate effort toward measurable improvement in all aspects of the art and craft of composition.

15%

Quality Create 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.

Communication and Promotion

Demonstrate the ability to speak about your own music in the ‘pre-concert talk’ setting and in program notes. Maintain a composer website, You-Tube or Facebook artist page.

Subtotal 80%


Performances Achieve at least 3 Performance Points per semester.

For details on Performance Points please consult the Course Overview.

This requirement may be partially or entirely met though a Composition Forum performance or any (verifiable) public performance, including UCF performance student recitals.

10%

Website/Networking Set-up or update a composer website, You-Tube or Facebook artist page.

Competition Entry Show evidence of entry in at least one composition competition during this semester.

Jury Attendance In Finals Week, students will make a presentation of all 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

90% - 94% = A-

85% - 89% = B+

80% - 84% = B

75% - 79% = B-

70% - 74% = C+

65% - 69% = C

60% - 64% = C- *

55% - 59% = D+

50% - 54% = D

45% - 49% = 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.

MUSIC COMPOSITION UCF Composition III&IV – 2012-13

Course Overview

Tutor – Christopher Marshall

Phone: 321 274-4198 (home) | 407 823-6139 (Monday, Tuesday) Email: [email protected] Room: PAC M230

Description

Over the duration of four semesters 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.

Objectives

1. To encourage the development of skills in the composition of chamber, choral, and large ensemble music and in other genres according to individual student needs.

2. To extend knowledge of and feeling for all musical instruments including the human voice.

3. To increase understanding of the role of structure and form in music with a view to applying this to the student’s compositions.

4. To acquire a feeling for the discipline and the elements of habit and routine necessary in composing.

5. To extend awareness of the power of music – it’s link to psychological truths and the human condition – its ability to communicate with an audience on an emotional and intellectual level – the responsibilities this may entail.

6. To develop the insight to view one’s own compositional style not in isolation but within the context of society and music of all genres including popular/commercial music.

7. To develop the ability to speak effectively about one’s music to colleagues, audiences and performers.

8. To develop the skill of promoting and arranging for performances of one’s music.

9. To develop an understanding of the potential that new technology offers the composer in terms of notation, promotion and distribution of music.

10. 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 – Samuel Adler’s ‘The Study Of Orchestration’ strongly advised. Score study and additional readings will be assigned as needed.

Course requirements and assessable benchmarks for all four semesters:

Requirements Description Grade % per Semester:

1-3 Final

Composition Output

Achieve at least 8 Composition Points for semester 1&3 and 4 Composition Points for semester 2&4.

Ø For pieces of 1 stave: 1 minute = .5 point

Ø For pieces between 2 and 5 staves incl.: 1 minute = 1 point

Ø For pieces between 6 and 19 staves incl.: 1 minute = 1.5 points

Ø For pieces 20 staves and over 1 minute = 2 points

Ø For purpose-made electronic music including film score with graphic notation: 1 minute = .5 point

55%

50%

Note: points may only be earned for completed new pieces or movements and not for works in progress.

Note: Composition Point shortfalls in one semester will be added to the next semester’s total.

Note: some variation in genre and/or instrumentation between works is essential.

Note: completion of at least one work for orchestra/band and one for choir is a requirement over the Comp. III/IV course.

10 Second/5 Bar rule Compose at least 10 seconds or at least 5 bars of music (whichever is greater) every week. Note: bars/minutes earned in one week are not transferable to another.

Attendance Attend all weekly tutorials on time with a laptop and/or hard copy of work undertaken during week. If attendance is impossible, prior notification is required. Attend all occasional master-classes.

15%

10%

Personal Research Demonstrate evidence of attempts to broaden musical experience through follow-up on suggested scores and through own research.

Composition Forums Attend composition forums and/or NewME recitals and make an active contribution to at least one each semester.

Benchmarks

Personal Progress Demonstrate effort toward measurable improvement in all aspects of the art and craft of composition.

15%

10%

Quality Create 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.

Communication and Promotion

Demonstrate the ability to speak about your own music in the ‘pre-concert talk’ setting and in program notes. Maintain a composer website, You-Tube or Facebook artist page.

Subtotal 80%

70%

Additional requirements for Semester 1 and Semester 3 only:


Performances Achieve at least 3 Performance Points per semester.

Ø For pieces using 1 performer: 1 minute = .5 point

Ø For pieces using 2 to 4 performers: 1 minute = 1 point

Ø For pieces using 5 to 13 performers 1 minute = 1.5 point

Ø For pieces using full choir: 1 minute = 1.5 point

Ø For pieces using full wind ensemble or orchestra: 1 minute = 2 points

Ø For a good quality recording of purpose-made electronic music: 1 minute = .5 point

Ø For a good quality recording of purpose made electronic music with good quality visual [film/video-game] element: 1 minute = 1 point

In either semester these requirements may be partially or entirely met though a Composition Forum performance or any (verifiable) public performance, including UCF performance student recitals.

10%

Website/Networking In Semester 1, set-up a composer website, You-Tube or Facebook artist page.

Competition Entry Show evidence of entry in at least one composition competition in these semesters.

Jury Attendance In Finals Week of these semesters, students will make a presentation of all 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.

10%

Total Grade 100%

Additional requirements for Semester 2 only:

Requirements and Description Grade %

Composition III Group Chamber Recital

20%

Students will jointly plan and execute a public recital of works composed or substantially revised during the Composition III course.

This recital will normally take place prior to spring break.

The program will contain normally no less than 35 minutes of music. Students should aim to be represented by at least 7 minutes of music. If this individual contribution provides fewer than 5 Performance Points (see previous page) this total may be supplemented by other performances during the course of the semester.

Economy of resources is encouraged and rewarded but there is no department-designated restriction on the number of performers involved.

Credit will be given for individual contributions along with efforts to co-operate with others and co-ordinate collective resources.

The effectiveness of every aspect of the audience experience is a major criterion in evaluation. Credit will be given for the overall presentation, including program notes, program structure and quality of performances.

The scheduling of the recital and the recruitment of the performers will be the responsibility of all students collectively.

Note: the Composition III Group Chamber Recital is not an official Music Department Junior Recital. It is a serious, formal public concert with the same focus and the same credit weight as the official Senior Recitals described overleaf.

Total Grade 100%

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.

Additional requirements for Semester 4 only:

Requirement Description Grade %

Final Chamber Recitals and Hearings Two options decided in consultation with thetutor and other students in the closing weeksof Semester 3.

20%

Option 1: Individual Chamber Recital

This is the default option. The

student will plan and execute an

individual public recital of works

composed or substantially revised

during the Comp. IV course. This

recital will normally take place prior

to spring break - or at another time by

arrangement. The program will

contain between 20 and 60 (incl.)

minutes of music. No more than 16

performers will be permitted to take

part.

Option 2: Group Chamber Recital

Students will jointly plan and execute a public recital of works composed or substantially revised during the Comp. IV course. This recital will take place in Finals Week or the preceding week by arrangement. The program will contain between 30 and 90 (incl.) minutes of music. No more than 20 performers will be permitted to take part.

If five students choose this option:

No student will be represented by less than 7 minutes of music or more than about 16 minutes.

If four students choose this option:


If three students choose this option:


If two students choose this option:


Credit will be given for individual contribution along with efforts to co-operate with others and co-ordinate collective resources.

No less than two weeks (14 days) prior to the recital date, the ICR candidate (or all the GCR candidates) 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.

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 the hearing and recital are the responsibility of the student (or for the GCR, all students collectively). All additional guidelines for performance recitals as laid out in the department handbook will apply.

Note: Equal assessment weight will apply for students electing an ICR or GCR. In both GCR and ICR credit will be given for the over-all presentation, including program notes, program structure and quality of performances.

Note: A Final ICR or GCR is a requirement for a pass grade.

Subtotal 90%

Additional requirements for Semester 4 only, continued:

Requirement

Description

Grade %

Portfolio Submission No later than 5:00pm on the Friday prior to Finals Week of Semester 4, students will submit an attractively presented, annotated portfolio of all music composed over the Composition III/IV course. The portfolio should include an audio CD or DVD containing live recordings or MIDI realizations where live performances are not available. The portfolios will be retained by the department for its records.

Note: the presentation of a portfolio of an acceptable standard is a requirement for a pass grade.

10%

Total Grade 100%

Grading Scale:

95% - 99% = A

90% - 94% = A-

85% - 89% = B+

80% - 84% = B

75% - 79% = B-

70% - 74% = C+

65% - 69% = C

60% - 64% = C- *

55% - 59% = D+

50% - 54% = D

45% - 49% = 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 Attendance is expected. Make-up lessons will be done at the instructor's discretion.

Deadlines No late work will be accepted without prior approval.

Academic integrity Students are expected to adhere to the UCF Creed and the Academic Dishonesty Policy.

Accommodations for the differently- abled (alternate testing opportunities, support for signers, etc.)

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) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

music composition ucf · music composition ucf composition iii – syllabus for fall 2012!! tutor...

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