Composing With Years 7-12

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will be delivered using an historical approach to composition in conjunction with contemporary compositional practices appropriate to the needs of secondary school students. The course will be based on detailed analysis of primary sources, examples of music chosen from existing repertoire, which will be issued well before the course begins.

From the exemplars in the reading pack, teachers can expect to examine the following practical aspects of composition:

(i) writing a single line for voice - non metrical and metrical;

(ii) writing a single line for instrument - non-metrical and metrical;

(iii) two-part counterpoint for voices and instrument – non-metrical and metrical;

(iv) three-part style [as for (iii)];

(v) accompaniment style – instrumental and vocal;

(vi) writing for groups of instruments up to and including septets, using combinations of string, wind, brass and percussion instruments.

The pitch and harmonic vocabulary teachers will examine historically, in conjunction with associated rhythmic techniques will include:

(i) church modes; rhythmic modes;

(ii) diatonic major and minor scales, pentatonic scales, gypsy scales, blues scales; dodecaphonic structures;

(iii) functional harmony including all chromatic concords and discords with modulations to related and non-related keys;

(iv) non-functional harmony; modes of limited transposition; valuer ajoutée; octatonic scales; non-octavating scales.

The formal aspects of composition will involve an historical survey of musical forms including but not limited to:

(i) plainchant; organum; secular song (unison and parts); canzonet; motet; madrigal;

(ii) monody; canon; fugue; ground bass; chaconne; recitative (accompagnato and secco); aria (da capo); trio sonata;

(iii) the dance suite; binary; ternary; rondo;

(iv) sonata principle; extended sonata concepts;

(v) instrumental styles in the 19 th century;

(vi) current stylistic practices.

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Music Studies course, which is offered on a fee-paying basis only.

Four short compositional works (15% each), to be performed on the final day of classes; Attendance and participation in practical activities during classes (40%).

A reading pack with relevant musical examples will be made available prior to the first class.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.