Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0298 - Music Composition

How do we hear when we compose? How can we hear more? Improvisation and musical notation are tools we use in generating and extending our ideas and feelings. We will compose music each week, using a progression of compositional prompts that we workshop in class. This work will lead to a multi-sectional final composition. Our focus will be on both through- composed, fully notated works, and works that involve improvisation in their structure. Each student will present an in-class study of an individual work or creative artist, with a set of compositional questions as a guide. We will write primarily on the instrumentation of the class, as well as for invited artists.

Independent Work Prerequisites: Preference is given to Division II and III students. A basic ability with musical notation and music theory is important for this work. In this course, students can expect to spend 6 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.