To empower all musicians with a broader range and greater depth of understanding and practice in their music creation. To develop self-critiquing skills. To develop theoretical understanding and facility with forms of notation, therefore enhancing communication of ideas and professionalism(employability). To provide some basic skills in orchestration and arranging.

(LO1) To produce compositions/songs that demonstrate development in the student's practice,

(LO2) To demonstrate a greater understanding of theoretical underpinnings of their compositions.

(LO3) To be able to effectively communicate ideas to other musicians in a professional setting, including, where necessary, some form of notation. (Use of notation software such as Sibelius)

(LO4) To demonstrate the ability to write and arrange for a range of instruments, beyond their own performance instrument.

(LO5) To promote familiarity and understanding of broader music repertoires.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual).Presentation Skills

(S2) Critical Thinking and problem solving - creative thinking

(S3) Time and project management- Personal organisation

(S4) IT skills: notation software, recording and editing software.

Weekly topics covering analysis of popular music examples with practical exercises to implement skills. Topics below to be introduced and revisited: Introduction - student selected works, background skills. Melody/harmony: interaction and generation of material. Melody setting exercises. Recap on diatonic chords; introduction to roman numerals, and rationale. Forms of Notation. Harmony. Rhythm meter and form. Orchestration and arranging. Beyond functional harmony. Style aesthetics and idioms.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:: Concepts and compositional strategies will be introduced. More theory intensive segments will be offset by modelling the more intuitive aspects of composition. This will include singing in class and short creative tasks.

Teaching Method 2 – Seminar
Description: 1) Sometimes follow on from the lecture. 2) There is a discussion page where students post musicals examples of interest – these are considered and discussed. 3) Students who are willing present on a piece of music.

Teaching Method 3 - Tutorial
Description: On demand. Typically students want more individualised feedback on their compositions or catch up sessions on some aspect of theory. Also notational skills are often asked for.