Music Composition

Course Description:
This class will teach students some of the fundamentals as well as complexities of
the craft of musical composition. Students are expected to create simple to
complex pieces of varying lengths, and must be able to play or sing their own
pieces, or provide samples for instructor and/or students to perform in class (piano
scores are preferred, unless student brings and plays their own instrument). All
musical styles will be encouraged. Students must meet the proper prerequisites, or
receive instructor approval by demonstrating comfortable to thorough knowledge of
basic music fundamentals, harmony and notation skills, and facility on their
instrument or voice.

Assignments will range from writing simple exercises to completing more complex
arrangements of the students original compositions. The instructor will provide
individual feedback and coaching on compositional structure, notation, melodic
and harmonic choices, and, in general, help the student with producing an ideal
representation of his/her work. The goals to accomplishing the various tasks should
be measured by the students improvement commensurate with their musical
background. In the early part of the course, students will survey scores and
recordings of a large variety of musical genres, from classic to contemporary, in
order to discuss aspects of analysis that are applicable to the compositional
process. Students should bring a music notebook or pad of music paper and pencils
to each class. Completed compositions may be turned in either handwritten or
using notation software please do NOT turn in original scores (pencil or ink). A
recorded version (audio or midi performance) may also be turned in, but you must
submit written scores.

*Please note that all students must be willing to perform in class on their primary
instrument
when asked, in order to facilitate weekly readings of composition exercises.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
A. Analyze a simple traditional piece of music, appraise its musical structure or
form, and formulate
this knowledge compositionally.
B. Evaluate the structure, form, harmonic and melodic qualities of a musical
composition.
C. Distinguish and select the fundamental procedures of harmony.
D. Select the principles of music notation practically.
E. Create and properly notate a variety of musical pieces for solo instrumental,
vocal or small
ensemble performance, applying the principles of melody, form, and other
practical musical
techniques.

Prerequisites:
-Music Theory
-or Teacher Approval (Students demonstrate a minimum of fundamental knowledge
of scales,
key signatures, basic notation, chords, etc.in order to enroll.)

Materials:

Harmony, Songwriting, Arranging: 3 Handbooks by Funicelli, Stanley A.

($10.00)
A Practical Guide to Musical Composition by Alan Belkin (free online
textbook)"Off The Hook: How to Build a Song" (free online article series)
Finale, Music Notation Software (free, downloadable editions)