Julio’s Creative Music Technology Teaching

Acousmatic Composition Module Guide

Module Title: Acousmatic Composition
Module Code: AF215004S
Location of Delivery: Cambridge
Pathway: Creative Music Technology

Lecture-Workshop: Fridays 9am to 11am Helmore 029.
Module Leader and Tutor: Paul Rhys
Cambridge / Helmore Building / Room 242
Extension: 2622
Email: paul.rhys@anglia.ac.uk

Module Description

This module introduces students to the composition of electroacoustic music, with particular emphasis on acousmatic music. As with the preceding technology modules, the emphasis is on cultivating an aesthetic understanding of the implications of technology on musical composition and applying practical techniques to creative ends. Work is approached through a mixture of practical sessions and guided reading, listening and discussion. The module requires a good degree of self-organisation and application.

On successful completion of this module the student will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the digital audio workstation and apply this understanding to their own work.

2. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the acousmatic music genre and apply this understanding to their own work.

3. Apply a variety of sound-processing techniques to original sounds (synthetic and/or sampled) and use the results creatively.

4. Present their own work in a high quality audio format.

Outline Delivery

All details of the delivery, content and assessment are detailed on the lesson plan to be found by clicking through this link HERE.

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to attend all teaching sessions on the courses for which they have registered. Practical projects, rehearsals and ensemble performances are collaborative in their nature and require full attendance. Students taking practical and performance modules should be aware that at certain times a more intensive commitment is required which must be balanced against other life and work commitments. You will be notified of these extra rehearsals as far in advance as possible.

If you need to be away from classes for an extended period, it is very important that you inform your Student Adviser, and that you complete a ‘mitigating circumstances’ form.

Please see the notes on ‘Attendance’ in the Anglia Ruskin Undergraduate Student Handbook for full University regulations.

To be effectively prepared for a teaching session, you should:

* have completed all the set reading or other prescribed work as described in the course handbook or as set by your lecturer
* have your own copy of the required text or other material
* bring adequate writing materials for taking notes
* be wearing appropriate clothing, especially for rehearsals and performance workshops
* arrive mentally and physically prepared for the session

International students who are non-EEA nationals and in possession of entry clearance/leave to remain as a student (student visa) are required to be in regular attendance at Anglia Ruskin. Failure to do so is considered to be a breach of the immigration regulations. From the academic year 2008/09 onwards, Anglia Ruskin is required to inform the Border and Immigration Agency (Home Office) of significant unauthorised absences by any student visa holders.
Attendance for Group and Collaborative Work

For modules that include collaborative practical work, especially those leading to live performance events, there is an especial necessity for full and punctual attendance. Poor attendance and/or engagement inevitably has a detrimental affect on the work of your fellow students and will hinder their achievement, as well as your own.

If you are unable to attend a particular rehearsal, class or workshop you should inform your Module Leader or the Department Administrator immediately, and in advance of the class wherever possible. All members of staff have voicemail and email. You will then be entered on the register as an ‘explained absence’. Failure to do this will mean that you will be marked ‘unexplained absent’.

Absence for reasons of external work commitments, timetable clashes or time mismanagement will not be accepted.

You should be aware that poor attendance and/or lack of commitment will inevitably affect your ability to meet module learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, and consequently your marks may be affected.

Assessment

Your assessment consists of both formative feedback given on ‘in-class’ tasks during the semester as well as a final portfolio submission. This portfolio consists of 2 separate final composition tasks and one ongoing documentation task.

To pass this module you must submit, as instructed in class: Two final and contrasting compositions accompanied by the documentation task. The latter is a patchwork text, as instructed in class, that will reflect your weekly discoveries and learning, on your online blog. Compositions 1 and 2 are worth 40% each, the Patchwork text is worth 20%. The whole submission will be graded on a scale of 0 – 100%. To pass the module you need 40%. All the items in the portfolio address all the learning outcomes for this module.

Composition 1: Students create an original piece of acousmatic music lasting about 4 minutes, using the techniques they have acquired so far. The piece must be diffused live over 4 channels using a mixing desk, and will be formally assessed on Friday 19th March. Students must think carefully about diffusion issues and document these where necessary. Further guidance will be given in class.

Composition 2: Students create an original piece of acousmatic music lasting about 4 minutes. It must contrast with Composition 1 by using different sound sources and by demonstrating a different approach to structure. This second piece should either be in stereo or 5.1 surround-sound, with fully automated spatialisation. Further guidance will be given in class.

Documentation 3: This is ongoing work. Each week the students document their findings relating to the subject by creating a short blog item published online for the rest of the class and the tutor to see. The item forms part of a ‘patchwork’ of texts and media that the student will collect throughout the semester relating to this module. The media may include podcasts, commented screenshots, slide shows, video or simply a written narrative account. Although informal in the academic sense (i.e. it is not necessary to write in the 3rd person, etc) the use of English must be literate and to a high standard. Errors in spelling will be detrimental to the student’s marks. All items must be polished and well presented. It is expected that the students will blog at least once per week for 12 weeks. The last two weeks will be a ‘threading’ of all patchwork elements together in order to place them in context.

You will be given feedback in class and via comments to your blog. Not every piece that you publish will be commented on by the tutor because your issues may be covered by comments to a previous blog entry or to a student who publishes first or raises the issue in class. However, ALL your items will be examined upon hand in and there is no excuse for not being aware of feedback given to other students in class or via blog comments. You are also expected to comment on other students’ blog items and be aware of their contributions.

The criteria used for assessing your work will be those for artifact creation and written work.

The final portfolio must be submitted by Wednesday 12th of May 2010 before 5pm at the i-Centre of the Cambridge Campus (on the ground floor of Rackham building, opposite the garden square between Helmore and the Library).

Assessment Criteria and Marking Standards

Anglia Ruskin University Generic Assessment Criteria

Please consult your student pathway handbook for details about Anglia Ruskin’s generic assessment criteria and policy. This information can also be found under the Student section of ANET.

Module Specific Assessment Criteria

In addition to Anglia Ruskin’s generic assessment criteria, your work will also be marked against module-specific assessment criteria. Assessment tasks for this module will be marked against the marking criteria for Artefact Creation and Written Work, which are available under the Student Resources section of the departmental web site at: www.anglia.ac.uk/mpa.

Assessment Offences

You are reminded that any work that you submit must be your own. All suspected assessment offences will be investigated and can result in severe penalties. Please note that it is your responsibility to consult the relevant sections of the Academic Regulations (section 10) and the Student Handbook.
Module Definition Form

The Module Definition Form for AF215004S – Acousmatic Composition can be found by clicking here.

Learning Resources

All details of the learning resources for this module are given in the Resources section HERE.

Report of Last Delivery of Module

The report of the last delivery of AF215004S – Acousmatic Composition can be found by clicking HERE.