Music Composition Workshop

In this course, students will meet weekly to discuss composition techniques, analyze pieces, and share original composition projects. Prerequisite for this course is an intermediate knowledge of music theory. Students will not receive any grades, but they will receive direct feedback on their compositions throughout the semester from the teacher and their peers.

The reason for this course is to provide students enough time to dedicate themselves to the art of music composition. Additional weekly assignments and lectures would detract from the time needed for music composition, and therefore this course will not have graded assignments and lectures. However, the teacher will assign the students with various composition objectives and mini-composition projects throughout the semester. At the end of the course, students will receive a written assessment of their composition projects and participation in the workshop.

Course Objectives:

1. To compose well crafted musical compositions. Students will be expected to compose new music every week and be ready to share their progress. By the end of the course, they should have completed at least two major compositions, along with other smaller compositions.
2. To learn special composition devices that will be shared ad-hoc as we discover new composers and music, i.e, devices in the areas of harmony, rhythm, melody, orchestration, etc.
3. To learn best practices through analysis, discussion, and assigned objectives and mini-composition projects.
4. For the student to explore their own musical interests while expanding their interests with the musical offerings of the teacher and their peers.
5. To discover and reproduce the unique style and devices of particular composers, genres, and styles.

Texts:

• No purchase necessary. All materials will be available online without charge.