School of Music

Programme Manager: Dr Mic Spencer
Email:m.spencer@leeds.ac.uk

This 180-credit programme aims to provide training and a broad foundation in independent academic study at postgraduate level as well as requiring specialisation in composition. Submission of a portfolio of compositions which may include acoustic and electro-acoustic compositions is a compulsory element within the course. The programme also includes study of some of the following: advanced arrangement and orchestration, vocational music, multimedia/collaborative works and a two week take-away paper. Students take 120 credits of core modules, then choose their remaining 60 credits from a range of options.

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

Compose to an advanced standard for a variety of musical media and show an awareness of stylistic trends as appropriate to specific genres;
Adapt a range of presentational skills appropriate to their own compositional practice;
Demonstrate an understanding of the composer-performer relationship in terms of practicality;
Manage long-term musical thought in original patterns and form-building;
Engage with wider analytical and aesthetical positions regarding composition;
Interact creatively with original musical material in terms of its detail and development.

MUSI 5360M Portfolio of Original Compositions (60cr)

Normally 5-6 individual items, as negotiated with the Programme Manager.

MUSI 5231M Composition Studies (30cr)

Normally a portfolio of 3 more commercially orientated works

MUSI 5030M Introduction to Musical Scholarship (30cr)

Bibliography assignment (50%)
Presentation Skills (50%)

Students choose an additional 60 credits from the following options (subject to availability), to make up a total of 180 credits – either one 60cr module, or two 30cr modules:

60-credit modules:

Dissertation
Music Technology Project
Editorial Project
Final Recital

30-credit modules:

Issues in Contemporary Musicology
Short Dissertation
Computer Music Studies
Applied Performance
Short Recital
Studies in Historical performance
Individual Project