Music Composition

MUS 121-122: COMPOSITION I MUS 221-222: COMPOSITION II MUS 321-322: COMPOSITION III MUS 421-422: COMPOSITION IV Dr. Phillip Magnuson Office: 103 MT Phone: 229.3907 Office hours posted (or by appointment) e-mail: magnuson@udayton.edu

OBJECTIVE

The goal of composition study is to find an original voice in the creation of new music. Works of a derivative nature are discouraged. Students will be encouraged to explore a great variety of formats, styles, genres, mediums, and performing resources. Students are expected to be diligent, creative, and open-minded.

ATTENDANCE

Each composition student will meet with the instructor one-on-one for one session each week, where that week's work will be discussed and evaluated. If a lesson must be canceled by the instructor, a makeup lesson will be arranged. If the student cancels or misses a lesson, every attempt wll be made to make up the lesson, but may not be possible.

OUTSIDE WORK

Although it is impossible to state the precise amount of time each student must spend on composition work outside of lessons, a good rule of thumb is to spend approximately one hour daily for each hour of credit:

MUS 121-122 one hour daily [seven hours per week]
MUS 221-222 one hour daily [seven hours per week]
MUS 321-322 two hours daily [fourteen hours per week]
MUS 421-422 two hours daily [fourteen hours per week]

PERFORMANCE

Every work a student writes must be performed, or at least read. Sometimes this will mean a work may need to be performed before it is completely finished. At least one of these performances will be in a formal recital/concert format, such as Friday-at-One, Junior or Senior Recital, or a Student Composition Recital. A brief oral presentation by the student composer will precede each of these performances.

MUS 202 COMPOSITION SEMINAR

All MUC majors will attend Composition Seminar on Mondays at 1:00 pm. Each student will present composition work to other students, and will also make analytical presentations of compositions from outside sources. The seminar will also include a group composition project each semester.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

All MUC majors will write artistic statements of approximate 150-200 words defining WHY they choose to compose and HOW they go about the process. This statement usually takes several semesters to write, and is likely to be modified several times throughout the students' undergraduate years.

PORTFOLIO

All MUC majors will keep a portfolio of all original composition work. This will consist of all compositions in written and recorded format, with a table of contents.

COMPOSITIONAL PRINCIPLES

All composition students are expected to be acquainted with the Principles of Composition.

LISTENING LOG

All MUC majors will keep a listening log. This log is a record of music listened to by the student, and is intended for music written within the past 100 years. It should include the title, composer, year written, day heard, medium (live, recorded, online, etc) and a short description about each piece of music. There should be a minimum of 5 entries per week (75 per semester).

GRADING

Consistent work/regular attendance	50%
Works in progress	10%
Works finished	10%
Works performed (or read)	10%
Listening log	10%
Portfolio (written and audio)	10%

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The study of musical composition is a unique pursuit. It is regularly presented in a one-on-one situation, and progress is measured not with testing but by a growing repertoire that refects constant improvement. Unlike other studies, composition studies never really end, and the development of good life-long habits are essential to growth. It is important to understand that the instructor cannot teach you to become a better composer. That is your responsibility. The instructor's role is to provide advice, illustration, and criticism that will allow you to find ways to improve. Please reflect on how your personal traits of artistic commitment, work ethic, self-criticism, and cooperation with your instructor will affect your own growth.

HONOR PLEDGE

I understand that as a student of the University of Dayton, I am a member of our academic and social community. I recognize the importance of my education and the value of experiencing life in such an integrated community. I believe that the value of my education and degree is critically dependent upon the academic integrity of the university community, and so in order to maintain our academic integrity, I pledge to:

Complete all assignments and examinations by the guidelines given to me by my instructors;
Avoid plagiarism and any other form of misrepresenting someone else's work as my own;
Adhere to the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the Academic Honor Code.

In doing this, I hold myself and my community to a higher standard of excellence and set an example for my peers to follow.