Con­tem­po­ra­ry Music and Com­mis­sio­ned work

• Course type: Complementary course
• Year of study: Year 1, the first semester of Year 1, second semester
• Final assessment: Assessment from the course coordinator
• Prerequisites: Admission to Master of Music Performance – ECMAster
• Language of instruction: English
• Study component: MAUT Master of Music Performance Degree Programme

Course description

This course is for ECMAster students, either starting and ending their studies in Oslo or visiting Oslo in their second semester of studies.

The course is based on a collaborative process between a composer (composition student) and the ensemble. Through collaboration, they will develop a new piece of music of about 10 minutes in length.

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, it is expected that the students will

• be able to rehearse and interpret contemporary music independently and creatively
• have the ability to collaborate and communicate with composers
• have knowledge of notation, new instrumental techniques, aesthetics, compositional and dramaturgical perspectives in the music

Overview

The course covers the whole process from planning, composing and rehearsing a piece to the completion of a concert. The course emphasizes the need for musicians and composers to collaborate and jointly arrive at the final result. The piece may include electroacoustic elements.

Structure

Students are expected to initiate rehearsals and performances of the piece. The composer is encouraged to make use of the musicians in composing the piece and make revisions based on their insights. A supervisor with expertise in composition as well as a chamber music coach will follow the process and be present during some of the rehearsals, but the main part of the project will be student-led. The course concludes with a concert/performance/installation.

For an overview of recommended amounts of instruction, please see Organisation under the description of the individual study programme.

Students have registered automatically for instruction/supervision and assessment in the course in accordance with the study progress requirements set out in the individual education plan.

Course requirements

1. The course concludes with a performance that must be recorded in audio or video format.
2. The musicians must have at least 3–4 rehearsals with the composer before the performance.
3. In collaboration with the composer, the group should write one or more program text(s), presenting the composition to the audience.
4. Each student should write a short documentation note of approx. 300 words about the project.

All course requirements must be met by 1 June in the second semester of studies.

Final assessment

All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining the final assessment.

Assessment is based on learning objectives. The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the two-course instructors based on the ensemble’s level of achievement throughout the course period.

New assessment

In the case of reassessment, the whole group must retake the course.