MUS3310

Twentieth-century compositional techniques

P McIlwain

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: MUS2110 and MUS2120

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should have an understanding of a variety of techniques employed in twentieth-century composition and the practical ability to apply such techniques in their own work.

Synopsis A practical overview of the techniques underpinning the prominent styles and genres in late twentieth-century composition. Emphasis is placed on acquiring a working knowledge of the most common applications of contemporary technology to musical composition such as digital recording, sampling, sequencing and notation by means of group and individual laboratory sessions. This subject is also available for BMus performance majors as a four-point subject.

Assessment Composition exercises (equivalent to 3000 words): 50% - Exam (1 hour): 15% Composition project (2000 words): 35%

Prescribed texts

Cope D New directions in music 6th edn, Browne and Benchmark, 1993
Kostka S Materials and techniques of twentieth-century music Prentice-Hall, 1990

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