Module: Advanced Harmony & Counterpoint

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Advanced Harmony & Counterpoint
Module Code	MC309 (ITS) / MPA1050 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	Seán Doherty
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

Students will learn advanced concepts in harmony and counterpoint through composition exercises, listening tasks, and performance. This is achieved through the completion of weekly exercises in contemporary a cappella arrangement. The student will consider the importance of extended chords and their voicings in 5 parts, advanced modulation, non-functional harmony and vocal emulation of instrumental timbres. Additionally, the module develops students’ aural perception skills and facilitates further experience of appropriate technology resources, as well as providing demonstration and discussion of appropriate use of content and techniques in teaching and research.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding and appreciation of harmony and counterpoint in the contemporary a cappella style.
2. Acquire literacy, performance and compositional skills using the harmonic and contrapuntal resources of contemporary a cappella repertoire.
3. Apply the accepted conventions in the notation of choral music to a professional standard.
4. Present compositional exercises using appropriate notational software
5. Adapt the acquired compositional, technological and literacy skills to the contexts of teaching and research.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures on course content, including practical demonstration and participation through vocal performance.
Assignment Completion	48	Weekly exercises in prescribed areas of course work.
Independent Study	53	Music listening and score reading related to course content
Total Workload: 125

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

Arranging contemporary a cappella
Lead sheets, Rhythmic Counterpoint between melody and bass functions, Notation and Editing, Emulation, Backing Vocals, Vocal Percussion, Choral Reduction, Front Matter

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Music Composition	n/a	20%	n/a
Music Composition	n/a	20%	n/a
Music Composition	n/a	60%	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

Sharon, Deke; Bell, Dylan,: 2012, A cappella arranging, Hal Leonard, Milwaukee, WI,

Other Resources

50295, 0, Spotify, www.spotify.com, 50296, 0, MuseScore Resources, www.musescore.org, 50298, Course Lecturer, 0, Specially designed resources,