Foundations of Composition addresses a range of topics and skills used by composers. In this course students will develop techniques including how to generate musical ideas and how to structure and orchestrate them, regardless of their stylistic interests. Students will work with a variety of industry standard technologies including notation, recording, audio editing, spectral analysis, computer music, and other software packages. These skills and techniques will be critically examined and discussed in large and small group tutorial settings. Students apply these skills to one or more new original compositions utilising these techniques while developing their own unique compositional style.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. recognise and apply terminology, concepts and core skills fundamental to music composition;
2. work independently and collaboratively to acquire skills and knowledge for use in music composition;
3. experiment with musical materials to take aesthetic and conceptual risks in the realisation of a completed work; and
4. critically analyse and discuss the musical works of one’s self and others.

Field Trips

Students will be encouraged to attend concerts, art galleries, and other performances, as well as to move around in their homes and neighbourhoods to experience and think about new sonic events.

Required Resources

Notebook, A3 art diary, Manuscript paper, Laptop with Sibelius or MuseScore software (or access to the computer lab if no laptop available), musical instrument (one can be provided if needed)

Recommended Resources

Students are encouraged to seek out recorded and notated musics in the library and via the internet throughout the course, as well as articles, books, interviews, etc.

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 (via Wattle and Teams)
• 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.

Other Information

All work submitted must be the student's own original creation. Use of AI tools for composition and other activities must be discussed, disclosed, and cited. Sampling or quoting of existing recordings must be acknowledged appropriately. Collaboration is encouraged and is integral to this course, but individual assessment submissions must represent individual work. Please refer to University Academic Integrity policies for full details.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Compositional thinking – which “first” are you?	Guided analytical and reflective learning activities
2	1. The creative process  2. Composing with intention3. Composing with Form	Guided collaborative and reflective learning activities
3	Composing with TextureMinimalism, Loops, repetition Parts preparation (Sibelius/ MuseScore)	Guided collaborative compositional activities and reflection
4	Composing with Melody Using improvisation to create material	Individual and collaborative compositional activities with reflection
5	Creating variations and transitions with rhythm, timbre and expressive techniques	Individual and collaborative compositional activities with reflection
6	Rehearsing and performing group compositions for Assessment 1.	Individual preparation and collaborative rehearsal and performance activities
7	Composing with harmonic structures.·  Modes·  Cells·  Alternative ScalesBrief students on Assessment 3.	Collaborative compositional exploration and reflection
8	Composing with jazz-inspired harmony	Collaborative and individual compositional activities with reflection
9	Approaching melody writing from different perspectives	Collaborative rehearsal and compositional development with reflection
10	Building a career as a composer in Australia	Collaborative rehearsal, compositional refinement, and reflective work
11	1-to-1 conferences: Score polishing, professional practice, and showcase preparation	Collaborative rehearsal and final compositional refinement activities
12	Rehearsal with your project group	Final collaborative rehearsal and performance preparation activities, with submission of program notes.
13	Exam period	Final consultation and performance activities

Tutorial Registration

Tutorials can be selected via My Timetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Me, myself and them (30%)	30 %	02/04/2026	1,2,3,4
Composition Journal (20%)	20 %	15/05/2026	3,4
Composition Project (50%)	50 %	08/06/2026	1,2,3,4

* 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:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Students are expected to be present at all course activities - lectures, tutorials, rehearsals, 1-to-1 meetings - as well as to comment and support their peers in these activities. Students are expected to attend the final composition showcase to present their work and perform in the works of the other members of their group.

Assessment Task 1

Me, myself and them (30%)

Part 1: Composition Exercises 1-3 (10%)

 

During weeks 2-5 we will be covering a range of compositional techniques. Three exercises provide you with an opportunity to try out these methods using the notation software Sibelius or MuseScore. With in the constraints of each exercise (as outlined in class and on Canvas) you will be given the opportunity to experiment and discover potential new approaches to your craft.

 

Each exercise will be explained in class during the lecture that week, and the opportunity to put them into practise in small groups in provided in tutorials. These exercises are just that -short experiments with the tools we study in class. They are intended to be doable in a few hours and should help you get into the habit of submitting composition projects to a deadline and moving on to the next brief. Set a goal, give it a shot, then try them out with your group the following week.

 

Part 1: One movement of a Group Composition – (20%)

Throughout the first six weeks we will explore different components of composition. You will be given the opportunity to explore these in groups of 3-6 students and individually. For this part of the assessment, your individual work is assessed. You are required to create a singular movement of a group composition (no more than 2 minutes). The piece should stem from your composition exercises (Part 1) and must be scored for the instrumentalists in your group.

 

Your submission is to include the following:

• Title page
• Program notes (max. 250 words)
• Score
• Individual parts

 

The score and parts must include:

• Title
• Composer name
• Instrument names
• Some expressive techniques
• Tempo markings
• Bar numbers
• Rehearsal markings

 

Assessment submission:

1. Three Composition exercise files (e.g. PDF and WAV)
2. Your individual original movement for the group composition, score (PDF and WAV) and parts (PDF only)

 

Assessment criteria:

• Creativity: clear exploration of a wide range of composition techniques covered in the lectures
• Notation: ability to present compositional ideas using traditional music notation.
• Technique and approach: Demonstration of an understanding of instrumentalists in your group, their instrument and their capability.
• Presentation: Organisation and presentation of composition exercises (quality and neatness of audio and score files).

 

Due Date:

Thursday April 2, 2026

 

Estimated return date:

Within two weeks of submission

Assessment Task 2

Composition Journal (20%)

Throughout this course, you are invited to consider different aspects of your musical personality and how this impacts your compositional approach. Journal tasks are set every week for the first 10 weeks of the course. Prompts are provided each week and, time permitting, students will commence their journal entries during tutorials.

 

Using the first three assessment criteria as a template each week is advisable. Score/sketch excerpts as well as screenshots of your work can be very useful in supporting your statements regarding what is working and what isn’t working, and what you are going to try next week.

 

If for some reason your ensemble could not meet during a particular week, please document your individual progress.

 

Assessment Criteria (use the first three as a template):

• Clearly articulated successes and areas for improvement in your work
• Clearly articulated goals for the following week
• Description and analysis of the group dynamic (including processes and growing awareness of differing strengths and capabilities)
• Organisation of thoughts and ideas, grammar, spelling, and clarity of writing

  

Submission requirements:

A single text document containing 10 articulated journal entries submitted via Canvas.

 

Due Date:

5pm, 15 May 2026

 

Estimated return date:

within two weeks of submission

Assessment Task 3

Composition Project (50%)

Due during the exam period, this assessment calls for the creation and performance of a new original work by each participating student. The work should demonstrate a culmination of skills and experiences from the course.

 

The scale and duration of this work should be approved by the course convener before submission (projects are usually 3-5min in duration and for 3-4 musicians). It is recommended that you focus on clarity of ideas and techniques, rather than duration. You are completely free to find and use your unique compositional voice; there are absolutely no stylistic guidelines.

 

This work must be presented live at the end of semester composition showcase during the exam period. As such, late work will not be accepted for this assessment.

 

During weeks 7-12 you will be working in a group of 3-4 in your tutorial. Each composer will write a piece for the others to perform (you may perform in your own piece). If you do not play an instrument, the composers in your group may write a simple percussion or other part that is playable by you. All students are expected to participate as performers.

 

You are required to attend a sufficient number of rehearsals to support your colleagues and their assessment. Students having issues with their ensembles should contact the course convener ASAP. You will also be asked to attend a 1-to-1 conference with the course convener during week 11 to review your score to make sure you're feeling good about the final project. 1-to-1 conferences are available on Tuesdays from 11.00am-4.00pm in weeks 7 and 9 should you require earlier guidance.

 

Your accompanying 200-word program note may include any information you think the audience would like to know about your piece, and will be available in the concert program on the day of the premieres. It is due in Week 12.

 

Assessment Criteria:

• Technique and approach: appropriate use of instruments (relative to the performers involved)
• Creativity: the ability of the piece to stand on its own, as a self-contained work of a unique and developing compositional voice
• Clear and well-formatted score and parts (as appropriate), and submission of a program note for the Composition Showcase Program
• Participation as a performer and composer in the Composition Showcase and demonstration of appropriate logistical preparation and execution
• Participation in a weekly rehearsals/tutorials, a one-to-one conference, and a one-to-one score review meeting

 

Submission requirements:

A zipped folder including the following (8 June):

• Score with title page and performance note (PDF or other as appropriate)
• Parts, as appropriate
• Program note of ~200 words
• A live presentation/performance of your work at the Composition Showcase (Exam period, TBC)

 

The score and parts must include:

• Title
• Composer name
• Instrument names
• Expressive techniques
• Tempo markings
• Bar numbers
• Rehearsal markings

 

 

Due Dates:

• One-to-one conference (score review meeting): 20 May, 2026
• Program note submission: 27 May, 2026
• Score and parts submission: 8 June
• Showcase performance, Exam period TBC
• Estimated return date: within two weeks of submission

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

Late submission permitted (with the exception of the premiere at the showcase (Assessment 3)). 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.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Feedback and marks will be provided within two weeks of assessment submission.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

As composition and reflection are ongoing processes, students are always encouraged to consider and discuss the potential for the re-submission of assessments. Please get in touch ASAP to chat about this if you think you would like to resubmit anything.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students