ASU COMPOSITION AREA POLICIES
[est. November 20, 2001]

I. LESSONS, SEMINAR, AND JURY.

Weekly Applied Lesson Evaluations – Musical composition consists of many diverse components such as actual composition, score study, ear training, conducting, etc. Each week, the student is expected to demonstrate research or study in a area related to composition. Consult your teacher as to what is to be expected of you.

Seminar – Composition Seminar is held weekly. Every composition major is required to attend composition seminar. Composition seminar is an opportunity to discuss diverse topics, receive thoughtful criticism from your colleagues, announce upcoming performances, listen to new composers works, as well as just plain hanging out together! Seminar has traditionally met on Thursdays at 11:00am but may be arranged to meet at a time suitable for all. Each student should make sure that this scheduled time slot is free on their schedule when registering for classes. Your applied composition grade will include your attendance and participation in seminar. Seminar assignments will be determined as needed on a semester by semester basis. Only in extenuating circumstances will a student be excused from seminar.

Composition Jury – The Composition Jury is an opportunity for the composition faculty to evaluate each student. It is also an opportunity for the student to receive additional feedback from the composition faculty regarding their advancement in the study of composition. All majors are required to take a jury unless their composition major professor excuses them. Excuses for jury will only be given if the student has successfully completed a recent recital.

Electronic Music Applied Lesson – Students should work regularly in the ASU Electronic Music Studio creating works for performance. Electronic music provides an alternative method of composition that complements conventional methods of composition. It also allows students to research and explore parameters of music, such as texture, timbre, density, and spatialization, as primary building blocks for a musical composition. Each composition major’s senior recital will include an electronic piece composed in the ASU Electronic Music Studio.

II. REQUIRED RECITALS.

Junior Recital – The Junior recital is required, although no credit is received. The junior recital should consist of works written during your first three years of study at ASU. It should be roughly 20-25 minutes in length.

Senior Recital - The Senior recital is required. The senior recital should consist of works written during your study of composition at ASU. It should be approximately 45-50 minutes in length.

Yearly Composition Recital – Composition students should have their work performed regularly. When the composition student is not preparing for a junior or senior recital, it is expected that he/she participate, that is have a work performed, in one of the ASU composition recitals normally given towards the end of each academic year.

III. TOPICS CONCERNING REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE.

Acquiring Performers – Do not approach other ASU instrumental students for the playing of pieces. All performers should be obtained through your composition teacher who will personally contact other instrumental faculty. This way, we can be sure that no one performer is being overburdened by the composition area. Once your composition teacher establishes a list of performers, the composition student may then acquire contact info for the performers through the Music Office and arrange rehearsal times and places.

Rehearsals - All rehearsals must be arranged by the composition student. Be sure to present your players with a rehearsal schedule in writing as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to establish all subsequent rehearsals at the first rehearsal when all your players are present. Make sure to ask everyone in the ensemble to bring their schedules to the first rehearsal. Check with the Music Office for availability of rooms for rehearsals.

Performer Courtesy – Any composition major who treats a performer harshly or improperly will be dealt with by the composition faculty. All performers should be treated with the utmost respect. If problems arise in the rehearsal of a piece, the composition student should report them to their composition teacher. These problems include lateness, lack of practice, personality conflicts, and other unfortunate occurrences that disrupt the rehearsal of a piece. It is important that you do not take matters into your own hands. Allow your composition teacher to deal with any problems concerning your performers with their applied teacher.

The composition student must also make sure that pieces are completed in readable form and delivered to their performers in ample time. In most cases, the performers need to have the music and performance info (date, time, and place) in at least a month in advance of the concert. However, more difficult pieces should be delivered earlier. Finally, make sure rehearsal dates, times, and places along with performance information (date, time, place, and dress) are submitted to each of your players IN WRITTEN FORM at the first or second rehearsal.

Percussion Equipment – Make sure you clear the use of ALL percussion equipment with the percussion teacher before you use it. You may want to disclose your intentions to use certain equipment to the percussion teacher prior to actually composing the music. Therefore, any problems regarding access to percussion equipment may be avoided.

Prepared Piano – Be certain to clear any prepared piano piece with an ASU piano faculty member. When discussing the matter with the piano faculty member, be specific as to what you will be doing to the piano and make sure you do not go beyond those bounds in the writing of your piece. Composers are prohibited of placing marbles or other loose objects inside the piano.

IV. OTHER TOPICS.

Required Attendance at all Student and Faculty Composition Recitals – Composition students should show their support for other composition students and faculty by attending all ASU composition concerts. Students should also be in attendance of faculty/student recitals that involve faculty or students who have recently assisted in performing that student composer’s work.

CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) Lab – The CAI Lab is available for use by ASU student composers. In the lab there are several Finale music notation stations, as well as several stations for studying ear training. There is also a printer for printing even large format scores.

Score Study – The ASU Main Library has a substantial collection of new music scores, recordings, and videos. At the Composition Jury at the end of each semester, the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of literature studied over the course of the semester and also articulate how that music influenced his or her music.

Composition Message Board – The Composition Message Board is located in front of FA206. Composition students should check the Composition Message Board frequently, as notices of recitals, performance possibilities, competitions, etc. will be posted. All composition students are strongly encouraged to get their music played off-campus, and to attend new music performances in the area.
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