Module: Composition, Theory & Applied Techniques 1

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Composition, Theory & Applied Techniques 1
Module Code	MC101 (ITS) / MPA1002 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	Barbara Dignam
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module builds on students’ musical knowledge, music writing, composition and aural techniques through engaging with theoretical and practical aspects of melody writing, solfège, music technology, setting texts to appropriate melodies and orchestration. It further develops students’ aural perception of musical techniques, and deepens their awareness of stylistic context. Students are introduced to music writing skills, and to strategies for applying these skills in subsequent professional activities. Students are expected to attend lectures/workshops, engage in workshops and submit regular course work.

Learning Outcomes

1. Display, through solfège, analysis, written examples and music technology an understanding of keys and key changes
2. Display, through solfège, analysis, written examples and music technology an understanding of notation using treble and bass clefs
3. Sight-sing pentatonic and diatonic melodies in unison and in canon
4. Complete a sixteen bar melody from a given four bar opening and include relevant modulations
5. Set given texts to a sixteen bar melody including relevant modulations
6. Display, through analysis and written examples an understanding of chord construction, labelling and progression
7. Arrange and orchestrate for small string orchestra

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Lectures
Tutorial	36	Music technology tutorials and independent studio work
Independent Study	54	Independent Learning
Class Presentation	61.5	Class presentation
Total Workload: 187.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Solfège
• Reading, handsigns, the pentatonic and diatonic scales • Rhythmic and melodic ostinati • Singing canons of two or more parts • Singing and playing in canon • Modulation

Music Technology
Introduction to Sibelius Notation

Melodic composition and word setting
• Principles of melodic composition in ternary form with modulation to the dominant or relative key and including ornamentation and sequences • Word setting to appropriate melodies with modulation to the dominant or relative key and including ornamentation and sequences • Major and minor keys up to four flats or four sharps

Orchestration
• Range of string instruments • Conventional and extended techniques for string performance • Transcribing keyboard arrangements to string orchestrations

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Weekly exercises	25%	n/a
Project	Orchestration Project	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Archibald, Jean and Marmion Bernadette: 2003, Music Workout, Royal Irish Academy Of Music, Dublin,
Butterworth, Anna: 0, Harmony in Practice, ABRSM Publishing, London, 2000
Gordon, Jacob: 1982, Orchestration: A guide for students, Oxford Univeristy Press, Oxford,
Legányné Hegyi, Erzsébet Solfege according to the Kodály-concept, Kecskemét :: 1975, Erzsébet Solfege according to the Kodály-concept, Kecskemét, Pedagogical Institute of Music, Zoltán Kodály,
Lovelock, William: 2003, Two-part writing, Allans Music Australia, Spit Junction NSW,
Lovelock, William: 2003, Melody Writing, Allans Music Australia, Spit Junction NSW,
Lovelock, William: 0, First Year Harmony, Hammond and Co, London,
Wilkinson, Roy: 1991, ABC of Harmony, Music Square, Singapore,

Other Resources

None