Music 269 - Composition I

This course will explore compositional techniques continually growing from the numerous traditions that filter through Western art music styles. Innovate works by twentieth and twenty-first century composers that generate new approaches to these traditions (through melody and scale, rhythm and meter, harmony, instrumentation, and musical structure) will be examined and practiced to the best of our collective abilities. The course will employ improvisation as a source of ideas for written compositions and as a primary compositional mode. Instrumental or vocal competence and music reading fluency are encouraged attributes, and will be developed further through course activities. Assignments will include compositions of various lengths and related analytical projects. Everything we write will be performed in the classroom and/or as part of concert and master-class situations during and outside the class meetings. Guest composer presentations. Two class meetings per week.

Requisite: MUSI 111 or 112, and consent of the instructor. Limited to 10 students. Fall semester. Professor Sawyer.