MR Aug 2012 Creative Arts & Industries Assignment Title: The Commission

Unit Number/s and Title 306 Compositio n (Solo)

Functional Skills

English

Communication. Reading and writing

ICT

Garageband/Logic

Briefing Date: 10/09/12 Review Dates: Final Assessment Date: Assessor/s: Marc Rapson Learners Name

Submission Date:

IV :

Suggested Reading: Blume, J. 6 Steps to Song writing Success 2004 Billboard Books Taylor, E The AB Guide to Music Theory Part 1 1989 Associated Board Davis, S The Song Writers Idea Book 1992 Writers Digest Books

Learning Outcomes Students will demonstrate their understanding of song form Students will demonstrate their ability to create drum grooves and utilise western harmony in the creation of repertoire for contemporary ensemble. Students will demonstrate their ability to produce written accounts/ scores/diagrams of their compositions Students will demonstrate their ability to evaluate musical choices and overall effectiveness of their work

Scenario You have been commissioned to write an original set of material entitled Popular music through the ages. You must compose 6 unique songs each written in a particular genre which will also be covered during the Contextualising Music module. Song 1 Song 2 Song 3 Song 4 Song 5 Song 6 Blues Surf Rock Woodstock/Psychedelia Funk/Punk New Romantic/Electro House/Big Beat

The material should demonstrate harmonic, melodic and rhythmic skill and also provide variation whilst maintaining consistency and cohesion as a whole. You may wish to base your material on a theme or concept in order to achieve this. As shown in the Learning Outcomes all compositions must be your own, however other musicians may be used as session players on your recordings (provided they are given adequate direction from you). Assignment Students must produce 25 minutes of repertoire written for contemporary ensemble, ideally arranged in contemporary song form, to be presented in recorded format. Compositions should preferably be recorded using sequencing software such as GarageBand or Logic. Compositions should be supported by commentary/ score diagrams, which detail composers intentions. In addition students should identify their future musical aspirations and justify their compositional choices in relation to these aspirations. Compositions should be evaluated for their overall effectiveness in relation to aspirations and intentions, with areas for improvement being identified and suggestions for how improvements could be made.