Unit A: 20th- 21st Century Composition Techniques
20th - 21st Century Composition Techniques is a practice-based introduction to the techniques and the harmonic language of the 20th/21st century period through the study of selected genres. It introduces students to the principle of composition using independent parameters, and to the various compositional techniques and processes used in the modern period, via study of set works, and practical applications of the techniques.
Unit B: Post-Tonal Analysis
This unit introduces students to analytical techniques designed to accommodate modern and contemporary music from the 20th and 21st centuries. The course will equip students with a flexible analytical approach that can be applied to a wide range of styles and accommodate the experimental nature of much of this repertoire. As such, the course will focus on the use of various pitch collections, extended harmony, rhythmic techniques, and compositional methods such as serialism.
Core: Stage 3 (Composition)
Option: Yes – available in Stage 3 or Stage 4
Unit A: 20th- 21st Century Composition Techniques
Stylistic Composition (20th/21st century techniques)
Specific 20th/21st century techniques: structuralism/independent parameters, free atonality, serialism/matrices, indeterminacy/stochastics, Fibonacci sequence/golden mean structures, isorhythm, minimalist techniques, spectralism.
Unit B: Post-Tonal Analysis:
The unit will be based on repertoire from the early 20th century to the present day.
Unit A: 20th - 21st Century Composition Techniques
1 hour lecture per week. Set works are studied, and their techniques used as bases for exercises that the student completes.
Unit B: Post-Tonal Analysis:
The unit will be delivered through a weekly one-hour lecture. The lectures will equip students with an ability to examine 20th and 21st century compositional techniques and approaches to pitch, harmony and rhythm. Peer-to-peer learning through group work (typically 2-3 students), will be an essential component of the course in order to practice applying the techniques learned. Further practice will be obtained through bi-weekly assignments to develop an advanced level of non-tonal analytical competence in preparation for an analytical project.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 25 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 75 |