18 September 2023 - 11 December 2023 ( 24 hours, 12 weeks )
View course timetable
Waterloo Centre
A course which will enable students to build completed pieces of music through a mixture of taught techniques and utilisation of students' own musical ideas. Students will be given frameworks in which to write pieces and there will be continuous tutor feedback and class discussion of the works as they build up. Performances of pieces will happen in class, or with Morley groups that composers write for.
Classes will mix the analysis of set material with the development of student pieces, in a roughly 30/70 ratio. Students will be guided on the rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, aesthetic and formal aspects of their work in order to produce a piece suitable for performance. Repetoire this term includes Coming Together by Rzewski and the work of Louis Andriessen. Opportunites include writing for Morley's Meridian Choir, piano students in London and Japan as well as preparing work to be performed in January in a lunchtime concert.
This is a course for people who have or aim to have an independent composition practice. You will need to produce musical ideas which can be shared with the class and developed. A solid theoretical background (ABRSM 6+ or equivalent) and fluent reading and writing of standard music notation are useful but not essential. Experience with music and sound software (Sibelius, Logic, Max MSP, Audacity) is useful but not essential. The ability to contribute to musical performances (even rudimentary ones) is strongly encouraged.
Time will need to be spent out of class in inventing and developing musical ideas to make pieces. You will need to follow and contribute to discussions in English. Music Study can include the use of digital resources such as listening to recordings, watching videos online, using appropriate mobile applications and following Teams -Morley's virtual learning environment - to enhance your learning inside and outside the classroom. Music study also offers a range of benefits including being an enjoyable way to enhance wellbeing. Music practice at Morley can also serve to enhance skills relevant for employment including developing creativity, developing high-concentration levels, building self-confidence, working to deadlines, being able to control nerves and working as part of a team. Achievement on your course will be measured by whether you meet the stated learning outcomes. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals. Excellent attendance and punctuality is required from all students. This course requires study/completion of activities outside of class time.
Notebook, manuscript paper, data stick.
This course continues next term as 'Composition Workshop B'. You may also be interested in the 'Orchestration and Arranging' course.
