Private Composition Studies

Southern Methodist University
Meadows School of the Arts
Division of Music

Private Composition

As scheduled individually - 1 credit = 30 minutes; 2/3 credits = 1 hour lesson
Dr. Robert Frank - OFAC 2018 - Office Phone: (214) 768-2142
http://faculty.smu.edu/robfrank
Office Hours: as posted or by appointment: email Dr. Frank

Course Content and Philosophy:

I take a flexible approach to this course, tailoring the format to meet the individual students needs. Whereas some students respond best to a free, encouraging atmosphere, others require a more structured program of assigned projects to guide them into maturity. In either case, I strive to keep a positive, enthusiastic and encouraging atmosphere where the student can develop his or her own unique musical voice and style. Students are expected to schedule regular composing time and make satisfactory progress on their projects. Lessons will be scheduled for 1 hour per week. If additional lesson time is needed, I will make that time available on an as-needed basis. Students will be expected to have meaningful progress on projects by their lesson time. A lesson with no new work completed is the same as a missed lesson. Unexcused absences will lower your grade. I believe strongly in the philosophy of composing by intent, not out of ignorance. For this reason, all students are required to be familiar with the basic orchestration and notation texts (Adler, Blatter, Cope, Stone, etc.) and frequent reference will be made to specialized texts dealing with each individual instrument/medium (as outlined in : Tools for Composers and Arrangers; A Selective, Annotated Bibliography of Resources) Students are also expected to study related works from the repertoire as assigned and have a thorough understanding of the genre and medium for which they are composing. Projects will be expected to be original, creative, idiomatic, and professionally presented. All new works will be expected to receive a reading or performance.

Seminar topics may be presented on various topics and will be considered required attendance. Also, written critiques/reviews of at least two new music events/concerts is required and are due before finals week.

My "goal" for the course is to guide and encourage the student to grow and mature as a composer, to build their portfolio of professional, creative and original works, and to be a mentor and advocate for their future success as a composer. Student's are expected to bring with them an enthusiastic, positive attitude, a willingness to reach beyond their present state, and to dedicate the necessary time to their art.

This syllabus is subject to oral or written revision by the instructor. Revisions will be posted to this site.

Goals and Expectations

General Goals:
It is hoped that during private composition studies and departmental seminars students will:

Gain familiarity with major trends and styles of music, medieval to present
Learn various approaches to the creative and compositional process
Acquire a familiarity with traditional writing styles as well as the development of an unique, individual style
Develop a portfolio of creative, original, works with professional looking scores and recorded readings and/or performances. Works should include solo, solo and piano, small ensemble, and large ensemble works for vocal, instrumental and electro-acoustic media.
Participate in at least one interdisciplinary, collaborative project with students from dance, theatre, film, or art departments.
Develop professional skills via submission of scores to juried competitions, in response to calls for scores, and through commissions and public performances.
Gain confidence in their abilities through the successful completions rehearsal, and performance of works
Develop the patience, self-discipline, perseverance, and leadership skills to enable the successful development of oneís chosen career intent.

First Year Studies:

Overview of career options in composition
Overview of principle compositional trends and the creative process
Study various approaches to melody, rhythm, form, means of development, modeling, sketching, and other pre-compositional techniques,
Complete short (1-5 minutes) idiomatic original works for solo instruments and small ensembles
reading and recording of compositions

Second Year Studies:

Continued study of compositional trends and styles
Continued development of compositional techniques
Development and extension of harmonic, rhythmic, and formal processes
Complete works for small ensembles (3-5 performers)
Compose for more extended forms, with durations longer than 5-6 minutes
Public performance of works
Juried review of all composition students will take place in the third semester of study.

Third Year Students:

Continued study of compositional trends and styles
Continued development of compositional techniques
Study and composing of larger forms and open form
Public performance of works
Entry in national competitions and/or calls for scores

Fourth Year Studies:

Refinement of compositional skills
Development of professional skills
Completion of a work for large ensemble, film, theater, etc.
Senior Recital of works completed during studies, 40-50 minutes duration, including acoustic and electro-acoustic media. Student is responsible for all scheduling, publicity, rehearsal, and production of this event. All works and programs must receive prior approval by instructor.

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin at 768-4557 then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work. Students are encouraged to refer to the Student Handbook for violations of the Honor Code regarding academic honesty.

Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts Division of Music