MA IN COMPOSITION

THESE DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THEM AT ANY TIME.

MA in Composition

MA IN COMPOSITION

THESE DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THEM AT ANY TIME.

MA in Composition

• The newly restructured MA in Composition degree programme offers those with strengths in creative music composition to develop their skills further and broaden their knowledge. It addresses contemporary techniques including writing for acoustic and electro-acoustic forces as well as the study of and implementation of contemporary aesthetics.

• The programme structure is carefully honed to foster and develop postgraduate level

within the rich environment of a creative, research-driven setting. • The preparation of a composition portfolio allows you to develop original, individual,

creative compositions employing a broad range of forces and techniques.

• The degree is convened by Dr Ryan Molloy and Dr Martin O'Leary. Dr Gordon Delap, and Dr Victor Lazzarini also contribute to the programme. All four are highly-experienced composers with national and international exposure. See www.maynoothuniversity.ie/music/our-people for more information.

• It is available as either a full- or part-time degree programme.

Entry Requirements

• An honours degree normally with a minimum of Grade 2.1 in music.

• A successful interview demonstrating attainment equivalent to (minimum) high 2.1 Bachelor Degree. International applicants should contact ryan.molloy@nuim.ie for full details of the overseas interview processes.

• Submission of a body of compositional works (2-3), with recordings if available, which best demonstrate the interests and accomplishments of your creative output to date. This submission should be uploaded to PAC five days prior to the interview date.

What You Can Expect

• Regular private tutorials with Composition Staff.

• Priority allocation of tutorial time with visiting composers, as available. • Arranged readings with visiting performers.

• Opportunities for performance through collaboration with students and staff in our new

music ensemble fuaim.

• Involvement in an annual MA Study Day at which all MA students have the opportunity to present a composition.

MA IN COMPOSITION

THESE DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THEM AT ANY TIME.

MA in Composition Programme Structure

Modules CORE MODULES: MU645A Composition Portfolio (Semesters I & II; 30 ECTs) The composition portfolio is the centrepiece of the MA in Composition. Students present five or six original compositions totalling 30-40 minutes of Music. The scores should be professionally presented and accompanied by recordings if available. The Portfolio should be for a variety of forces and match the following minimum requirements:

1. One piece employing voice 2. One piece employing electronics 3. One piece for six or more musicians 4. One piece for solo other than keyboard. This score must either be handwritten or use a non-

notation-based graphics programme. The Portfolio must be accompanied by a detailed write-up about the compositions, your aesthetic views and aims, and how the compositions address the idea of composition as research. This document should be approximately 5000 words. Two pieces are required to be completed by Week 1 of Semester II. MA students are also required to arrange for a performance of one of their compositions as part of the annual MA Study Day. A series of student-led seminars is associated with the portfolio in conjunction with the MA in Creative Music Technologies. These sessions offer students a chance to present their work (including works in progress), and to receive feedback from their peers. Additionally, these seminars provide exposure to the wide range of creative practices in contemporary composition today, from purely acoustic music to cutting-edge technological research, encouraging open debate on these practices. These seminars are assessed and contribute to the overall mark for the module.

MA in Composition

PORTFOLIO(OF(COMPOSITIONS((

(30$ECTs)$

Contemporary$Compositional$Techniques$1$$

(10$ECTs)$

Styles$and$Ideas$$(10$ECTs)$

Contemporary$Compositional$Techniques$2$$

(10$ECTs)$

Aesthetics$of$20th/21stAcentury$$$$$

Music$$(10$ECTs)$

Acoustics$and$Psychoacoustics$(10$ECTs)$

Sound$Recording$Techniques$(10$ECTs)$

Software$Sound$Synthesis$(10$ECTs)$

Interactive$Systems$(10$ECTs)$

Electroacoustic$Composition$(10$ECTs)$

Semester'I'Semester'II'All+year'

MA IN COMPOSITION

THESE DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THEM AT ANY TIME.

MU633 Contemporary Compositional Techniques I (Semester I; 10 ECTs) This module provides a detailed survey of many 20th-century compositional ideas and techniques. Students submit a written assignment for assessment. MU634 Contemporary Compositional Techniques II (Semester II; 10 ECTs) This module explores many of the innovative techniques used in late-20th- and early-21st-century Art music. Topics include, for example, microtonality, spectralism, extended techniques and modern scoring techniques. Students submit a small number of guided compositions or analyses for assessment. MU635 Aesthetics of 20th/21st Century Music (Semester II; 10 ECTs) The 20th and 21st centuries have been witness to an incredible growth and acceptance of differing, contradictory and overlapping aesthetic viewpoints in all art, especially music. This module engages with and explores numerous aesthetic outlooks from a wide range of artistic and regional backgrounds and genres. MU637 Styles and Ideas (Semester I; 10 ECTs) This module challenges students to approach the music they find interesting or problematic in an academic and critical manner through discussion of scores and recordings of compositions, as well as the writings of composers themselves. Assessment includes presentations and a journal documenting discussions and reactions to the presentations and topics raised in the module. OPTIONAL MODULES: MU610A Acoustics and Psychoacoustics (Semester I; 10 ECTs) This module focuses on the nature of sound and sound perception, and presents basic concepts involved in the phenomena of sound. MU611A Software Sound Synthesis (Semester I; 10 ECTs) This module focuses on the study of the basic techniques of synthesis including detailed study of computer music languages (sound compilers). Topics include the basic elements of synthesis: additive, subtractive, distortion, granular techniques and physical models. MU612A Sound Recording Techniques (Semester I; 10 ECTs) This module introduces the studio to students and provides basic information needed to safely handle studio equipment. MU617A Interactive Systems (Semester II; 10 ECTs) This module is concerned with exploiting computer resources for the potential use in live contexts. It has a particular focus on Supercollider and Max/MSP software, which are taught from the perspective of providing transferable skills, i.e. a background in object-oriented programming. MU619A Electroacoustic Composition (Semester II; 10 ECTs) This module studies the ideas, concepts and techniques involved in electronic music composition.

Contact Programme Convenors: Dr Ryan Molloy: ryan.molloy@nuim.ie and Dr Martin O’Leary: martin.oleary@nuim.ie. Tel.: (+353 1) 708 3730. Department Website: www.maynoothuniversity.ie/music All applications are made through the centralised PAC system. More information can be found at: www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/how-apply