Composition: Methods and Craft offers students an in-depth study of a specialised area of music composition. Through this topics course, students explore a particular composer, style/genre, texture/instrumentation, technique, or set of compositional practices. Students will engage with compositional material through both guided and independent artistic research activities, applying new critical, analytical, and technical skills to assigned composition tasks.

Students may complete this course twice for a maximum credit value of 12 units, provided they enrol in a different topic in each instance/semester. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• From Solos to Small Groups
• Improvisation as Composition
• Quartets, Larger Groups, and Collaborations

Learning Outcomes

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

1. recognise and apply terminology, concepts, tools and skills in the context of the course topic;
2. work independently and collaboratively in to create new work in the context of the course topic (e.g. composing, staging performances, and recording);
3. demonstrate the experimentation of expansion of conceptual and aesthetic principles in the context of the course topic; and
4. critically analyse and discuss the musical works of one’s self and others.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, 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	Introduction to the various approaches to Improvisation and compositional approaches to creating improvisatory material. Tonal-Free.
2	Composing Solos – Introduction to Composing Improvisations.
3	Performance/discussion of student’s compositional approaches.
4	Composing Solos utilizing tonal approaches – Swing – Melodic Approach
5	Performance and discussion of student’s compositional approaches
6	Composing solos utilizing tonal approaches – Bebop/Hard Bop
7	Performance/discussion of student’s compositional approaches
8	Composing Solos utilizing tonal approaches – Modal
9	Performance/discussion of student’s compositional approaches.
10	Composing Solo ideas utilizing Free approaches to Improvisation.
11	Performance/ discussion of student’s compositional approaches.
12	Melodic and Rhythmic Development techniques – performance and discussion of approaches to building and developing solo material from a compositional standpoint.
13	Exam Period

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	Learning Outcomes
Relection - 25%	25 %	27/03/2025	1,2,3,4
Annotated Portfolio of Composed solos - 25%	25 %	16/05/2025	1,2,3,4
Transcription and Analysis - 30%	30 %	04/06/2025	1,2,3,4
Final Performance or Essay - 20%	20 %	04/06/2025	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 ‘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.

Assessment Task 1

Relection - 25%

The reflection on your creative approaches to the three composed solos should include discussion on elements pertaining to melodic structure/development, harmonic tools used and rhythmic development. Your reflection should include 5-10 references (interviews with composers/instrumentalists, journal articles, pedagogical books, etc.).

Assessment Submission:

• Upload through Turnitin.

Assessment Criteria:

• 40% - Clearly articulate how you perceive your current approaches and techniques and the influence they may have on your composed improvisations. Include notated examples of some of your work where applicable.
• 40% - Describe how you intend to develop your compositional skills and include relevant references from composition pedagogy books to compliment your statements.
• 20% - Demonstrate that you have listened to a broad range of famous jazz composers and provide a 250-word summary of your findings in terms of hallmark elements that relate to those particular composers – what are the key concepts used? (Include 10 item discography list)

Due – Week 6, Thursday May 27th @ 2330hrs

(Word count should be 1000 words for the reflection, plus 250 words summary of discography list)

Assessment Task 2

Annotated Portfolio of Composed solos - 25%

10 weeks x 1chorus (So What (modal)), 10 weeks x 1 chorus (Autumn Leaves (standard)), and 10 weeks 1 chorus (Moment’s Notice (change running))

Your notated composed solos (Sibelius, Finale, Musescore) should include clearly marked chords above each bar, and each note of your composed improvisations will have a number depicting the function of the note against the chord for each bar.

Assessment Submission:

• Folder of PDFs of annotated scores uploaded to Wattle

Assessment Criteria:

• 25% - Accurate Note analysis against the chord for each bar.
• 25% - Melodic creativity, flow of line construction and contour variation.
• 25% - Rhythmic diversity/development.
• 25% - Harmonic Creativity – utilizing alternate scale choices to create melodic tension/interest.

Due – Week 11, Friday May 16th @ 2330hrs

Assessment Task 3

Transcription and Analysis - 30%

Usually, you would be asked to transcribe the original solos from a recording. I have decided to flip this notion and provide a copy of a published transcription of the three pieces for this semester. You will analyse the 3 solos in terms of note choices against each chord, identify musical patterns and discuss how you can incorporate the facets into your own creative

output.

Assessment Submission:

• 1500 word analysis with score annotations submitted via Wattle

Assessment Criteria:

• 25% - Discuss and analyse the solo content, with emphasis on how the improvised solos are formed in terms of melodic construction and development, harmonic interest and rhythmic diversity.
• 25% - Identify and analyse the architecture of 10-15 favourite phrases across the 3 transcriptions, providing a brief annotated description explaining why they appeal to you?
• 50% - Articulate with clarity and cohesion, the ways in which you have applied the concepts discussed throughout the semester. You should focus on describing your approaches to constructing melodies, developing them, and how you apply harmony and rhythm in order to create an improvisatory outcome. Compare your understanding of composing improvisatory ideas from the beginning of the course up to the present day.

Due – Wednesday June 4th @ 2330hrs during the exam period

Assessment Task 4

Final Performance or Essay - 20%

For this assessment students may choose one of two options and need only complete one of the below.

Option A (recommended for Performance majors)

This assessment involves you transcribing yourself improvising over So What, Autumn Leaves and Moment’s Notice. You will perform and record yourself performing 2 choruses for each of the 3 pieces. You will record your solo against a backing track, then transcribe your own solo and analyse the content of the improvisation you have created. You will then analyze your solo against the published transcriptions provided to you. Contrast and compare the seasoned artist against your creations and comment on the process of transcribing your own material. Typically, this process is reversed, and you would be transcribing the artist. A different approach to learning about improvisation! You will use the published transcriptions as editing exercises – you must check them against the original recording to ensure that they are actually correct.

Assessment Submission:

• Submit your memorized performances of your three transcribed solos to Wattle. (5% So What, 5% Autumn Leaves and 10% Moment’s Notice)

Assessment Criteria:

• 80% - Fluency, accuracy and demonstrated memorization of the 3 self-transcribed solos.
• 20% - Demonstration of strong time feel and attention to nuanced phrasing, as well as solid intonation and tone/timbre

 

Option B

Historical Essay on 3 artists – Miles Davis, Chet Baker and John Coltrane.

Word count: 1000 words

For this assessment students should discuss key historical elements pertaining to the 3 artists.

For instance, you may focus on the 3 albums from which these recordings emerged, and describe any points of interest which could include;

• Surrounding social context – eg. Civil Rights Movement and how their music could have been impacted by social issues.
• A chronological look at each artist, describing their early years and discuss their rise to prominence.
• Write about their compositional/improvisatory style in more general terms with reference to other key albums.

These are just some prompts for ideas for your essay. Typically commence your work with a brief and focussed introduction, followed by a few major headings, under which you can expand key talking points – this will help keep your work on point and will help with flow and cohesion. Be sure to include a broad pallet of references to back up your claims. Include in-text

referencing as well as a comprehensive bibliography.

Referencing requirements:

Referencing and bibliographic entries should be formatted in Chicago Style. References should be provided in footnotes, not in-text references. References should be provided wherever material from another source has been used. This includes:

• Direct quotations of the words of another writer
• The paraphrasing of the ideas of another writer
• Summaries of arguments presented by another writer

For details on the formatting of footnotes and bibliographic entries, consult the following:

• The Chicago Manual of Style Online, “Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide,” University of Chicago, 2007. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre website: https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/

Assessment Submission:

• Upload through Turnitin.

Assessment Criteria:

• 25% - Essay structure and cohesion.
• 25% - Referencing. In-text and Bibliography.
• 25% - Grammar and Spelling.
• 25% - Flow of Content and Context

Due - Wednesday June 4th @ 2330hrs during the

exam period

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. 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.

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).

• 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