Composition for Screen

Composition for Screen Course

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Candidates

Candidates should complete their online application first.

In the online application, candidates should include a digital portfolio with the audition programme as prescribed here below.
After the digital portfolios have been assessed, candidates will be informed whether the department has selected them for an online interview (both for On-Campus and for Online courses).

All the portfolios submitted should indicate the applicant’s name and ID number if any, the program applied to and the contents of the file.
For online courses only, portfolio needs to be submitted 2 weeks before the beginning of the term.
For full academic year enrolment starting September 2022, portfolios needs to be submitted by 31st January 2022.

Part One: Digital Portfolio

UNDERGRADUATE: candidates shall submit a digital portfolio containing several examples of their own original work, including one larger scale piece, as follow:
1. digital copies of manuscripts or digital scores (pdf versions)
2. digital recordings or midi versions of the submitted compositions (mp3/Wav/Flac format or link to Soundcloud/Youtube channel)
3. a brief written statement of purpose or goals in the program.

POSTGRADUATE: candidates shall submit a digital portfolio containing at least 3 pieces of their own original work. These should be written for a variety of forces and delivered as follow:
1. digital copies of manuscripts or digital scores (pdf versions)
2. digital recordings or midi versions of the submitted compositions (mp3/Wav/Flac format or link to Soundcloud/Youtube channel).
3. a brief written statement of purpose or goals in the program.

MMDip candidates must also include in their portfolio at least two examples of their academic written work, each piece of written work being 1000-2000 words in length and in English. The candidate’s written work should aim to demonstrate:
• Responsiveness to music and musical issues
• Quality of critical engagement
• Capacity for research enquiry

Part Two: Panel Interview

Following the practical assessment, a panel interview will be conducted with the candidate. This will:
• Allow the panel to further examine the candidate’s knowledge of music and their suitability for the course,
• Provide an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions and discuss their performance during the audition.
• Allow the panel to gain a clear understanding of what the student hopes to achieve from the course if they are accepted.

Part Two-bis: In person Audition

For On-Campus enrolments, candidates short-listed from the digital portfolio examination will be invited for an audition in person.
During the audition, the panel will also test the musicianship and piano skills of the applicant with:
• Setting a series of tests of on musicianship
• Asking the candidate to perform a short piano piece chosen and prepared in advance by the candidate.

Candidates will also take a 50-minute written test that will include:
• harmonisation of a simple melody
• a choice of short essay questions of general musical nature (you will be allowed to use a dictionary).

General Notes

Throughout the audition, candidates should note and strictly adhere to the following:
• Wherever possible, candidates shall ensure that their instruments are fully ready and warmed-up prior to entering the audition room. A warm-up room will be available for this purpose close to the audition room. No warm-up will be allowed during the actual audition.
• Prior to commencing the audition, the candidate must provide the music they will be performing in the practical assessment. This should be given to the steward in a suitable folder which must be clearly marked with the candidate’s name and a list of contents. The folder must contain copies of the score or lead sheet for use by the panel along with the melodic and rhythm section parts.
• Additionally, undergraduate candidates must also complete the LPMAM written paper on the day of the audition in person. This requirement does not apply to postgraduate candidates.

Composition for Screen
Course Syllabus

The course is run over a period of three years, after completing the 1st BMus Year of Composition, each comprising the following core elements: Principal Study lessons, Academic and Supporting Studies with the chance to take part in concerts and Masterclasses.
In order to extend contextual understanding and broaden their ability to write for different instruments and players, students are actively encouraged to listen to a broad range of repertoires including those unrelated to the student’s own work, observe rehearsals, attend concerts and gigs and participate in masterclasses and workshops that are regularly organised with visiting composers.
Throughout the duration of the course, the scale and scope of the student’s portfolio will develop and be subject to negotiation with the Principal Study Tutor.
Assessment will be focused on the student’s attitude and ability in practical studies and attendance – to include punctuality, preparation for lessons, classes & rehearsals and performance skills.

All year students will benefit from:
• 90 minutes individual tuition each week
• Weekly classes in Academic and Supporting Studies
• Opportunity to undertake a second or related study

The following outlines the performance and coursework expectations required from students for each year of this programme:

Year 1

See Composition Syllabus for the requirements. Year 1 must be completed before enrolling for Composition for Screen course.

Year 2

In this year, the weekly individual tutorials will continue to be a mixture of consultation/advice sessions and practical class exercises. These will focus on developing student’s self-discipline and assured technique. Analytical work will be developed, and the findings from that may be used to form the basis of technical exercises in composition. Tutors will continue to work closely with students with the aim of equipping them with the necessary skills to compose with assurance and an individual flair.

Assessment 1:
At the end of the second term, students shall submit a portfolio (accompanied by recordings, software files and a short analytical programme note of each compositions) for assessment. This will include:
• a mock-up of a pop song
• a soundtrack cue

Assessment 2 (live performance):
At the end of the 2nd year, students will be assessed on:
• a 5 minutes original composition based on a given brief and given timings (library soundtrack)
• arrangement in a different style of a given composition

Coursework:
Compulsory coursework components of the second year include:
Principal Study Lessons, Computer music composition, Composition and Arranging for screen, Pop song writing, Composer’s workshops and forums.

Optional coursework components of the second year include:
Sound design, Orchestra and Ensemble collaborations, Second/Related Study Lessons, Symphony/Chamber/Opera Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Music and Early Music.

Year 3

Assessment 2 (live performance):
At the end of the third academic year, students shall submit a portfolio (accompanied by recordings, software files and a short analytical programme note of each compositions) for assessment. This will include:
• Orchestral arrangement of a composition written for solo piano

Coursework:
Compulsory coursework components of the third year include:
Principal Study Lessons, Composition and Arranging for screen, Elements of Orchestration, Composer’s workshops and forums.

Optional coursework components of the third year include:
Pop song writing, Sound design, Orchestra and Ensamble collaborations, Second/Related Study Lessons, Symphony/Chamber/Opera Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Music and Early Music.

Year 4

Assessment:
At the end of the fourth academic year, students shall submit a portfolio (accompanied by recordings, software files and a short analytical programme note of each compositions) for assessment. This will include 15 minutes of music written for different media:
• soundtrack for a short film
• soundtrack for a documentary
• soundtrack for a trailer
• music for adverts

Coursework:
Compulsory coursework components of the fourth year include:
Principal Study Lessons, Composition and Arranging for screen, Elements of Orchestration, Composer’s workshops and forums.

Optional coursework components of the fourth year include:
Pop song writing, Sound design, Orchestra and Ensamble collaborations, Second/Related Study Lessons, Symphony/Chamber/Opera Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Music and Early Music.