Music in Extremes: Practical Composition in Ultra-Specific and Unusual Places

Overview

Music in Extremes: Practical Composition in Ultra-Specific and Unusual Places, and for Hyper-Unique Ensembles and Performers Composition is complicated – many modern projects are developed on the basis that they are unique, ground-breaking, unusual, or never-before-seen. How do composers approach writing for musicians and ensembles that have no (or limited) historical precedent? What processes and checks can we put in place to make sure that new pieces in these unusual contexts succeed? On this course, learners will be practically guided through a range of pieces of music that engage with these challenging topics.

Programme

Through a series of online lectures, seminars and support sessions, learners will cover the following topics:

1. Expectations, Plans, Music Theory, and Software Packages.
2. Outrageous Pieces of Music and How They Are Notated.
3. A Practical Guide to Researching and Writing for Unusual Settings.
4. Music for Very Small Instruments and Groups.
5. Music for Very Big Instruments and Groups.
6. Music for Arcane or Unknown Technologies.
7. Music for Ultra-Specific Ability Levels.
8. Music for Massed Musical Ensembles.
9. Music for Educational Settings.
10. How to Make it Work: Practical Score Preparation.

Learning Outcomes 

1. Demonstrate the ability to arrange and compose new pieces of music for unusual settings, including the preparation of well-edited, communicative, and professionally usable scores and performance parts (as required).
2. Research and demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of practical arranging and compositional techniques - both historical and modern - and evidence their usage in the context of practical, modern musical environments.
3. Clearly and confidently communicate their musical intentions through traditionally-notated sheet music environments (and less-traditional notational context in some cases).
4. Evaluate, analyse, discuss, and justify the technical components of orchestra music (both their music and the music of others), specifically as it relates to the methods and processes behind arranging and composition.
5. Analyse new physical locations and ensembles in a practically-minded, constructive manner, conducting on-site research as required

Assessments 

1. Composition 1 - 350 words including a 5 minute composition. (25%)
2. Composition 2 - 750 words including a 10 minute composition. (75%)

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What do I Need

You would need the following: 

• Internet access.
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.