| Semester 2, 2021 Springfield On-campus | |
| Short Description: | Digital Composition |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts |
| School or Department : | School of Creative Arts |
| Student contribution band : | 2021 Grandfather Funding Cl 2 |
| ASCED code : | 100101 - Music |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other Requisites
Students will require access to e-mail and have internet access to UConnect for this course.
Rationale
The evolution of music technology has enabled songwriters and composers to develop and render their creative ideas entirely in the digital environment. Computer based notation software, Digital Audio Workstations, sequencing and virtual instruments have become central to creative production in music. It is essential for the modern musician to be able to engage the potential of these technologies in their creative process.
Synopsis
This course explores the intersection of music technology and composition. Building on students existing knowledge and skills of the fundamentals of music theory and practice, through a mix of guided exercises and projects, students will be introduced to theoretical and practical strategies for creating new musical works inside the digital environment. Students will blend composition and digital music production techniques through the use of computers, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sequencing, and virtual instrument technology.
This course is designed to help students transition into the study of music at university level. Learning activities are designed to provide students with formative feedback throughout the semester, with early assessment in place to assist in identifying students in need of extra support.
Weekly learning activities and work created as part of assessment in this course will contribute directly to the development of a professional portfolio of creative work, as well as providing students with key practical and technical skills essential to their future employability in the creative arts.
This course assumes students have the ability to operate a computer and navigate a file-system and be able to contribute to the creation of a new musical work.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course student should be able to:
- Leverage a range of theories and practices related to music composition and digital music technology to produce prescribed musical outcomes
- Analyse, interpret and communicate musical ideas in a range of digital media contexts
- Apply relevant skills and knowledge in the creative manipulation of existing musical material
- Apply relevant skills and knowledge in the creation of new musical artefacts
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction to the history and development of digital music technology | 10.00 |
| 2. | Virtual Instruments – samplers, synthesisers, and drum machines | 10.00 |
| 3. |
Orchestration – considering the limitations of physical instruments |
10.00 |
| 4. | The elements of a musical composition | 10.00 |
| 5. |
MIDI and Sequencing |
10.00 |
| 6. |
Working with loops / Sampling |
10.00 |
| 7. | Remixing | 20.00 |
| 8. | Producing music for media | 20.00 |
Text and Materials
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2021&sem=02&subject1=MUI1011)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Recommended free options: Avid Protools First, Garage Band, FL Studio
Recommended paid options: Avid Protools, Logic Pro X
A computer that meets the recommended requirements for running your choice of DAW software.
Reference Materials
Various other materials provided by the course lecturer throughout the semester.
Student Workload Expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Directed Study | 26.00 |
| Independent Study | 139.00 |
Assessment Details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYSIS | 100 | 20 | 06 Aug 2021 | |
| CREATIVE PORTFOLIO 1 | 100 | 30 | 13 Sep 2021 | |
| CREATIVE PORTFOLIO 2 | 100 | 50 | 22 Oct 2021 |
Important assessment information
-
Attendance requirements:
On-campus Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures and tutorials) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Online Attendance Requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students’ responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course. -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course. -
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Deferred and Supplementary examinations will be held in accordance with the Assessment Procedure . -
University Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment Notes
-
Referencing in assignments must comply with the APA referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The APA style to be used is defined by the USQ library's referencing guide. This guide can be found at .
Evaluation and Benchmarking
In meeting the University’s aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2. forms part of the Bachelor of Music and is benchmarked against the internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.