• Class Number 5474
  • Term Code 3360
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Prof Frank Millward
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 24/07/2023
  • Class End Date 27/10/2023
  • Census Date 31/08/2023
  • Last Date to Enrol 31/07/2023
SELT Survey Results

Composition, Arranging and Sound Design 6 concludes the major composition sequence. Students will shape a large-scale individual project, for medium to large-sized ensemble which may include the ensemble(s) in residence. Drawing upon multiple compositional skills acquired from previous classes in the major sequence, students have the opportunity to shape their own projects, under faculty guidance. Classwork will focus on professional skills development, score and parts creation, advanced notation, issues of aesthetic and technique, along with industry skills development.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. produce professional quality creative work which reflects the student's individual musical interests and goals;
  2. analyse a diverse range of music using a number of relevant theories and methods;
  3. create and present compositions and arrangements which demonstrate the mastery of traditional and contemporary compositional techniques in a wide spectrum of styles and genres; and
  4. communicate clearly the creative decisions made in the course of composing, arranging and sound designs and how these relate to relevant historical traditions or precedents.

Research-Led Teaching

Advanced studies in contemporary composition require a professional-level connection to the trends and aesthetics of the field. Students will study contemporary scores and writings by living composers working in a variety of genres. Theoretical studies from recent research articles will complement in-class score studies. Students will develop a working familiarity with current theoretical and compositional research topics and apply these methods to their work as analysts and composers. 

Field Trips

Projects: 1) Recording studio workshops - 2) Small Ensemble Work with Major Matt O’Keeffe – Music Director of Band of the Royal Military College involving professional recordings of student compositions - 3) A Community based concert / showcase of student compositions

Additional Course Costs

Videos of lectures to be posted with notes on Wattle, weekly

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Access to score writing program and Digital Audio Workstation

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Overview of Semester Topics The Woodwind family - Small Ensembles –The Wind & Brass Quintet. The Saxophone Quartet - Beach, Sousa, Hall GUEST- Major Matt O’Keeffe – Music Director of Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon
2 The Brass family – The Saxophone familyBrass Band, Concert Band, Small groupings
3

Electro Acoustic A

Synthesizers, Programming, Spectral musicSnarky Puppy, Oliveros, Scratcha, Dodge, Herndon

4

Electro Acoustic BSound Design, Recording, The Sonic DatabaseSpiegel, Collier, Carlos, Murch, Rydstrom

1) Small Ensemble composition DUE midnight -18 August
5

Orchestra A (Early / Classical)

Strings – Chamber ensembles – World InstrumentsEurope - Americas – Asia - Indigenous / World

Recording Studio Workshop TTBC
6

Orchestras B (Romantic)Orchestration - Brahms, Schuman C., Farrenc L., Verdi, Boulanger N. & L. 

7

Electro Acoustic C

Sample libraries, Under and Over-scoring, Dissemination SystemsStockhausen, Yeo C., Schaeffer, Guonadottir, Pook

8 Orchestras C (20th Century)OrchestrationRavel, Lim, Adams, Weir, Portman, G.L. Frank 1) Electro Acoustic composition Due midnight – 29 September
9

Orchestras D (Contemporary)

Hybrid combinations - Tuned & Non-tuned PercussionBirtwistle, Schneider, Edwards

10

Electronics, Sound Design and …

Loops, Performance, Live ProcessingAvalanches, Aphex Twin, Monk

11 Performance Art - Sonic Art – Live ArtTheatre – Site Specific – Site ResponsiveJoplin, Abramovich, Gaga
12 Writing about your music 3 & 4) Composition Folio DUE midnight 10 November

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Assessment Task 1- Small Ensemble Work 20 % 18/08/2023 01/09/2023 1,2,3,4
Assessment Task 2 Electro Acoustic Work 20 % 29/09/2023 13/10/2023 2,3,4
Assessment Task 3 Portfolio Works - 45% 45 % 10/11/2023 *
Assessment Task 4 – Exegesis - 15% 15 % 10/11/2023 *

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

n/a

Examination(s)

n/a

Assessment Task 1

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 18/08/2023
Return of Assessment: 01/09/2023
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4

Assessment Task 1- Small Ensemble Work

Write a three-minute piece for Wind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, Bassoon) or Brass Quintet (2 Trumpets, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba) or Saxophone Quartet (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone). One of these specific ensemble types will be assigned by the lecturer to each student.

 

Students should develop an original work after studying scores and recordings of the Wind, or Brass or Saxophone quintet / quartet genres. The final outcome must be new and original and not incorporate any musical materials used in previous submissions for any ANU assessment.

 

The final piece must be submitted as a professional finished score with individual parts (appropriately transposed) ready for performance, uploaded to Wattle.

Rubric

Technique and approach: CreativityPresentation Notation Critical ThinkingApplication

Assessment Task 2

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 29/09/2023
Return of Assessment: 13/10/2023
Learning Outcomes: 2,3,4

Assessment Task 2 Electro Acoustic Work

Write a three-minute piece for an Electro Acoustic ensemble. This work should include two distinct components, one electronically devised from the recordings of analogue sounds processed electronically and the other, a score for an instrumental / vocal performance work for at least 10 players plus a laptop performer.

 

The piece should be designed to be conducted in performance and for the two separate components to be played simultaneously. The electronic component should be presented as a series of cues (separate audio tracks), coordinated by the conductor with the electronic part executed by a laptop performer as a member of the ensemble, in live performance.

 

Students should develop an original performance piece after studying scores and recordings of electro acoustic compositions. The performance piece must be new and original and not incorporate any musical materials used in previous submissions for any ANU assessment.

 

The final piece must be submitted as a professional finished score with itemised and appropriately labelled electronic music tracks, identified as cue points on the score.

Rubric

Technique and approachCreativityPresentation & NotationCritical ThinkingApplication

Assessment Task 3

Value: 45 %
Due Date: 10/11/2023
Learning Outcomes: 

Assessment Task 3 Portfolio Works - 45%

Students will compose, notate and professionally present at least two new and original musical works.

1.    For large ensemble, at least thirty (32) independent lines

2.    For medium sized ensemble, consisting of at least eighteen (16) independent lines

 

These works should be between 3 and 5 minutes in duration. The ensembles to consist of any combination of instruments or vocal parts, of your choice. Chord-producing instruments should be counted as one line, i.e. harp, keyboard, tuned percussion. At least one piece should be instrumental only.

 

Works must be new and original compositions and not incorporate musical materials used in previous submissions for any ANU assessment. Style of music is open, and will be discussed in class with the lecturer where sketches are to be presented in discusses with colleagues.

 

Students should arrange to meet with the Course Convenor during weekly consultation time Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00pm, to discuss this work-in-progress. The final portfolio pieces should be submitted on Wattle in PDF format with a MIDI file generated from the score and appropriate audio tracks (MP3s).

Rubric

Technique and approachCreativityPresentation & NotationCritical ThinkingApplication

Assessment Task 4

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 10/11/2023
Learning Outcomes: 

Assessment Task 4 – Exegesis - 15%

Students will write a one thousand-word analysis / summary of the compositional aims of the two Folio works presented. This document must include a discussion of each of the following topics:

a. Compositional techniques and statement of intent

b. Theoretical devices used within the pieces 

c. Style and idea (which genres do your pieces explore) 

d. Context within the repertoire (extant pieces similar to your own) 

e. Scoring and presentation (examples from the score should be included in the text analysis)

f. A bibliography citing research resources used to be included

 

Assessment 

Each category above (a,b,c,d,e,f) will be graded. All categories must be included in the final exegesis submission. The exegetic content will be based on the written submission. 

Rubric

Research undertaken PresentationAnalysis Writing

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.


The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.


The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

Prof Frank Millward
0417115062
U1042821@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Visual Music; Music & Technologies; Voice Science; Music composition; AI

Prof Frank Millward

Wednesday 15:00 17:00

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions