Professor: Dr.
Scott L. Miller (PAC 222; 308-3291; slmiller@stcloudstate.edu)
Credit
Hours: 1 cr.
Attendance:
Mandatory
Office hours
TEXT AND MATERIALS
Recommended texts: Music Notation in the 20th Century, by
Kurt Stone. Students must provide appropriate manuscript paper, writing tools,
straight edges, etc. Finale notation software is available in all open campus
labs (Mac and Windows).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student will learn
about the compositional process as it pertains to the music of others, and
discover within themselves their own compositional abilities. This is achieved
through the examination of extant works, by discussing student progress and
work, by discussing other students' work in a seminar atmosphere, and by
writing as much music as often as possible.
ASSESSMENT
There will be periodic
composition assignments, to be handed in at the beginning of the studio class
period it is due. NO late assignments
will be accepted.
There will be assigned listenings assessed by 2 listening exams. The student will
be responsible for knowing the correct name/spelling of the composition,
movement, composer, date of composition, ensemble/instrumentation, and will
also be responsible for gathering and knowing information about the
historical/stylistic significance of the composer and the composition.
Recordings are available in the MUSM 301 Composition folder as part of the
Classical Music Library here: http://research.stcloudstate.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=70
- m8. There will be one exam mid-semester and one exam at the end of the
semester.
Each student's primary
assignment for the semester will be to compose an entire work or performable
portion of a work (such as a movement). This work must be in professional
manuscript form and must be prepared using notation software. Each student is
responsible for securing performers and establishing a rehearsal schedule for
the primary assignment. Each work will be performed at an end of semester
concert, dates and times TBA, Gant
Recital Hall.
Student compositions will
be written for instrumentation approved on an individual basis by the instructor.
Studio classes will be
devoted to examining and discussing composition assignments, individual student
works-in-progress, recordings of music and relevant
topics of interest. There will occasionally be guest composers in town, and
attendance at events they are involved in is mandatory and factored into the
general class participation grade.
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Students pursuing the
Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Theory/Composition or in New
Media will take a minimum of 2 semesters of MUSM 301 Composition. During this period of study, the student
will:
· Complete a minimum of two (2)
original compositions of 3+ minutes duration for any acoustic instrument(s);
· Demonstrate an understanding of how
to compose idiomatically for various instruments;
· Demonstrate an intermediate ability
to develop motivic material in a formal structure;
· Demonstrate an intermediate ability
to create tension and repose within a formal structure;
· Demonstrate the ability to create
scores and parts that meet professional standards;
· Demonstrate the ability to work in a
professional manner with performers who perform his/her compositions, and
· Coordinate rehearsed performances of
his/her compositions.
During the advising and
registration period of the second semester of MUSM 301 study, the student will complete a formal interview with
the composition faculty before receiving permission to register for MUSM 401. The student will be advised to take another semester of MUSM 301 if the above proficiencies
have not been satisfactorily met.
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IMPORTANT DATES
09 September Identify performers of
your primary composition assignment
05 October Listening
Exam 1
18 November Primary composition
Score due
07 December Listening Exam 2
09 December Revised Primary
composition Score due
11 December Concert of student
works at Convocation (Gant RH, 12 noon)
COURSE GRADE
Your grade will be calculated
based on the timely and competent completion of the periodic assignments (25%),
general class participation including rehearsing and successfully presenting
your primary composition (25%), listening exams (25%), and completion of the
primary composition assignment [including preparation of the score and parts in
acceptable manuscript format] (25%).
ABSENCE
Information is addressed in
the studio classes not available outside of class. Class absences will be taken
into consideration when assessing the general class contribution component of
the course grade. Each absence is worth 5% of the final grade.
INCOMPLETES
Incompletes are awarded
only when a calamity or major illness prevents you from completing the term's
work on time, and will be awarded only if you have a reasonable prospect for
passing the course (based on your record at the time you request an Inc.). If
you receive an Incomplete, you must prepare on your own any missed assignments
or quizzes, and MUST FULFILL THE INCOMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER. If you do
not fulfill the Incomplete within one quarter, you will automatically receive
an F grade for the course. None of the scores you earned prior to the
Incomplete will be erased, and will count towards your fulfillment of the
Incomplete.
© 2009 Scott L. Miller