Tuition and the above activities are spread through both semesters.

This is based entirely on your submitted folio, which should comprise three or more contrasted works plus a recording (involving performers in concert or studio) of at least one of them.

Criteria of assessment include the extent to which your compositions demonstrate qualities of musicality, creativity, enterprise, practicality, and versatility, as appropriate to a 30-credit postgraduate module. Account will also be taken of the clarity of your presentation, whether in hand-written or computerised form . (The presence of a recording is proof of the practicality of your work, as well as being a useful document; it will not, however, be taken into account in the assessment process.)

To enable you to develop enhanced skills as a composer and prepare and present a folio of original compositions that demonstrate this, in the context of departmental opportunities for composition.

• develop and enhance your chosen style (the full range of contemporary idioms is recognised);
• develop your skills and technique to this end, whilst also encouraging some versatility;
• gain further experience in interacting with performers of your music;
• compile a collection of recordings of your work;

The composition, in your own style, of a small portfolio of works. Participation, as appropriate, in the department's activities in composition, which include the Gemini workshop (David Lovatt Prize) in the Autumn, the University Carol Service in December, and the composition/choreography weekend workshop in January. If your interests are more inclined towards directions such as studio work, electronic music, film music, or popular music, these too are encouraged. The Joyce Dixey Award, in March, is open to all students of the department, except those registered for PhD by Composition; you will be expected to participate in this, and the resulting work will be part of your PG Diploma folio, unless you intend to proceed to MMus by Composition (in which case this work is the start of your MMus folio).

12 hours of group seminars plus 20 hours of tutorials
270 hours of private study (300 hours in total for the module)
Tutorials with the department's composers (you need not be restricted to just one tutor) will aim to enhance your individual compositional voice as well as sharpen aspects of technique and offer attention to practical matters including writing for various instruments/voices, and manuscript presentation (computerised and hand-written). You will be expected to take close interest in topical events in the field of contemporary music, in concerts, recordings and radio.
Feedback is given to students in the following ways:

1. you are entitled to tutorial feedback on every new work you compose;
2. you are also entitled to tutorial feedback on your submission in May, following its assessment by internal and external examiners.

Due to the diverse nature of the potential content of submissions for this module, a reading list will be suggested by the Module Convenor when students’ areas of focus have been identified.

19.09.08