Music Composition and Interpretation I, 30 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• describe important form types from different musical eras
• analyze and discuss qualities in different musics from different musical aesthetic points of view.

Skills and ability
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• apply knowledge of compositional craft to translate own musical ideas into notated scores with adequate notation depending on situation
• create compositions that take into account the possibilities and limitations of different instrumentalists and ensemble types
• accomplish artistic assignments written for different types of large orchestras
• apply harmonic and textural principles from different fields of repertoire in composition
• analyze and describe harmony and musical texture from different fields of repertoire
• reduce simpler structures of musical form.

Appreciation and approach
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• reflect on his or her own artistic approach and own development against a personal expression
• describe and reflect on the interaction between craftmanship and the compositional process.

Content

Composition and Interpretation, 22,5 Credits

• Composition projects with focus on the students own artistic approach and development towards a personal expression.
• Seminars with focus on perception of form through listening and score analysis.
• Seminars with focus on sounding combinations of voices and instruments.
• Seminars with focus on different musical aesthetic points of view and how these are translated into sounding music.

Individual Second Subject, 7,5 Credits

The content of the course is based on the students choice of subject.

Examinations and grades

Composition and Interpretation

Composition and Reflection, 9 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Arranging and Orchestration, 5 credits (Code: A007)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Composition Seminar, 3 credits (Code: A008)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Music Analysis, 5.5 credits (Code: A009)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Individual Second Subject

Individual Second Subject, 7.5 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination.

The letter Grades A-E will be converted to numbers 5-1 and combined to an average grade, where the number of credits for each examination also are taken in to account. A weighted average grade of the course modules will thus be reported for the whole course.

Grade A is given when the average mark is at least 4.5.
Grade B is given when the average mark is at least 3.5 but lower than 4.5.
Grade C is given when the average mark is at least 2.5 but lower than 3.5.
Grade D is given when the average mark is at least 1.5 but lower than 2.5.
Grade E is given when the average mark is lower than 1.5.

Modes of assessment

Composition and Reflection, 9 credits (Code: A001)
Written assignment and practical examination.

Arranging and Orchestration, 5 credits (Code: A007)
Written assignment.

Composition Seminar, 3 credits (Code: A008)
Written assignment.

Music Analysis, 5,5 credits (Code: A009)
Written assignment.

Individual Second Subject, 7,5 credits (Code: A004)
Written assignment or practical examination.

Comments to examination methods
For Individual Second Subject, 7,5 credits examination is depending on the student's choice of subject.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

60 Credits at a Bachelor Program of Fine Arts in Music and passed entrance test in Music Programme in Composition and a additional passed proficiency test assessing musical knowledge and skills.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Transitional provisions

Students who started but did not finish the course in accordance with the version of the course syllabus that was valid at the time of course registration, have the right to be examined according to that version on a total of at least five occasions. This includes regular examinations and re-examinations and this right is valid for a total of three terms from the date that the version of the syllabus came into force.

Reading list and other learning resources

Composition and Interpretation, 22,5 Credits

Required Reading

Teacher assembled material

Adler, Samuel (2016)
The Study of Orchestration
New York : W.W. Norton

Caplin, William E (1998)
Classical Form
Oxford, New York, Oxford University Press
ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-19-514399-7, 307 pages

Additional Reading

Belkin, Alan (2016)
A Practical Guide to Musical Composition
http://alanbelkinmusic.com/site/en/

Belkin, Alan (2018)
Musical Composition - Craft and Art
New Haven & London: Yale University Press

Benjamin, Thomas (2003)
The Craft of Tonal Counterpoint
New York: Routledge, ISBN/ISSN: 0-415-94391-4, 432 pages

Gould, Elaine (2011)
Behind bars
London: Faber Music Ltd. ISBN: 9780571514564

J.S. Bach - Inventionen - Sinfonien (2014)
G. Henle Verlag
München. ed. Ulrich Scheideler

J.S. Bach - Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, book I (2007)
G. Henle Verlag
München. ed. Yo Tomita

Schubert, Peter (2008)
Modal Counterpoint: Renaissance Style
New York: Oxford University Press