Outline

Overview

The development of compositional technique is integral to the ability to best express musical ideas and material. The focus of this unit is the creative work of students which is developed through the study of a range of compositional topics. Building on foundations established in Composition 1, Composition 2 further extends creative strategies via the investigation of more experimental music techniques.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CMPN1601
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should own a professional music notation program (e.g. Sibelius, Finale, Dorico)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	engagement/participation, small group tutorials Participation in small group tutorials	6%	Ongoing	n/a	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Composition - Major work Submit an original composition with score and recording.	50%	STUVAC Due date: 16 Nov 2025 at 23:59	Up to 6 minutes of notated music.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Early Assessment task Submit a semester 'major work' plan including milestones agreed upon by you and your tutor. See Canvas site for more details. #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 18 Aug 2025 at 23:59	c. 500 words (max).	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Small composition assignment 1 Small composition in response to topic 1.	15%	Week 04 Due date: 31 Aug 2025 at 23:59	up to 2 minutes of notated music	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Small composition assignment 2 See detailed description on Canvas site.	15%	Week 07 Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59	up to 2 minutes of notated composition	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Participation: concert organisation Participation in concert organisation.	0%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2025 at 23:59	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Participation/application in one to one tutorials An assessment of engagement, participation and application in one to one tutorials throughout the semester.	4%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Small composition assignment 3 See Canvas site for detailed description	10%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 17:23	1-2 minutes of notated composition	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Peer assessment of concert organisation and presentation of creative works.

Assessment criteria

See assessment criteria on Canvas site.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per university policy.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	7 x 30 minutes one to one tutorials (3.5 hours in total)	One-to-one tuition (3.5 hr)
Week 01	Lecture 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Small Group Tutorial 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Lecture 4	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Lecture 5	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Small Group Tutorial 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture 6	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Lecture 7	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Small group tutorial 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Major work presentations - no lecture	Presentation (4 hr)
Week 13	Reflection on major works/semester	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%. Students are expected to attend 100% of tutorial and workshop classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Elaine Gould “Behind Bars” Faber and Faber. Students should own their own professional notation software package (e.g. Sibelius, Finale or Dorico).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. utilise a broad range of compositional techniques and approaches in the construction of your creative work
LO2. analyse and assess compositional techniques and approaches in existing compositions, and make use of such techniques and approaches in your work
LO3. present score-based music to a high standard using computer music notation software and/or handwriting
LO4. understand the importance of having compositions performed and publicly presented, and reflect upon such performances with a guide to potential revision of existing pieces
LO5. demonstrate further insight into the private-lesson approach to composition teaching from the student's perspective.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Re-organisation of some assessments due to curriculum review.

Additional information

Special Considerations

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CMPN1602: Composition 2

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links