Music 1: Composing Music

Elective Option for BA Hons Creative Arts

Throughout this course in musical composition, challenges to ingenuity and inventiveness will lead to an approach to music composition which has breadth. The constant questioning of contrasting means to achieve an end is an important ingredient of compositional skill. Trying a quick passage slowly, a loud passage softly, or changing the instrument playing it all – these aspects of ‘lateral thinking’ are all part of the composer’s skill. Becoming aware of this process and being able to apply it to all creative situations will, it is hoped, be the most lasting outcome. In addition, there is a wealth of practical information and demonstration designed to broaden a composer’s horizons.

The OCA expects students on its Composing Music courses to have a basic grounding in Music Theory. You will also be required to have access to a computer and have a music software package with which to compose music and listen to the playback and that is capable of accessing the Sibelius files which come with the course materials.