Unit outline_

CMPN2604: Composition 4

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Principal Study Composition supports the sustained development of compositional craft and creative voice through the preparation of composition(s) to be submitted at the end of each semester. Via one to one (individual) lessons, attendance at the weekly Composition Seminar and Supplementary Classes, students are expected to progressively advance through Composition 3 to 8. By the conclusion of this degree, students will have demonstrated a very high level of compositional ability, research capacity and notation/production skills. Weekly Composition Seminars provide a forum for expert guests to present specialised knowledge. In Composition 4, weekly Supplementary Classes cover a range of topics relevant to craft, creativity, repertoire and aesthetic decision making. Small homework tasks are set to consolidate the topics covered. One semester of individual lessons will be focussed on instrumental composition and the other on electroacoustic composition.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CMPN2603
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Natalie Williams, natalie.williams@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Portfolio or journal Composition Portfolio
Portfolio of one or more original compositions. Open forces but recommend no more than ten musical lines.
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2025 at 23:59
Recommended duration, 8-10 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement Attendance - Composition Lessons
Regularly scheduled composition lessons
5% Multiple weeks 420 minutes of lessons (with tutor) Not applicable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Written work Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Task
Semester plan for composition folio including weekly outline, indicative repertoire, forces and compositional techniques #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 02
Due date: 15 Aug 2025 at 23:59
Approx. 500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO3
Creative work Assignment 1: Form
Small Composition: Theme and Variations
10% Week 04
Due date: 27 Aug 2025 at 23:59
maximum two minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Creative work Assignment 2: Extended Techniques
Small Composition: extended instrumental techniques
10% Week 06
Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 23:59
maximum one minute AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Creative work Assignment 3: Multimedia
Small Composition: a short work for two musicians, plus one extra-musical line
20% Week 08
Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59
maximum two minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO2
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement Attendance - Lectures and Seminars
Lesson and Seminar attendance
5% Weekly Weekly as scheduled Not applicable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
early feedback task = 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

Detailed for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

Please see Canvas for further assignment criteria and submission information.

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.

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Individual composition lessons (420 minutes), arranged with composition tutors One-to-one tuition (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Introduction and Semester Planning Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Form I: Theme and Variations Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Form II: Theme and Variations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Extended Instrumental Techniques I Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Extended Instrumental Techniques II Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Extra-Musical Composition I Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Extra-Musical Composition II Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Texture and Timbre I Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Texture and Timbre II Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Post-Minimalism, Contemporary Trends Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Style and Aesthetic Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Reflection and Evaluation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Weekly Composition Seminar - Wednesdays 12pm. Weekly seminar attendance; guest artists, presentations and lecture demonstrations. Seminar (12 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students must attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean (Education) or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean (Education) 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 per cent.

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

Readings and resources will be listed on the Canvas site reading list.

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.

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

  • LO1. Demonstrate a high level of compositional craft, research capacity, musical notation and score production skills
  • LO2. Demonstrate discernment in compositional decisions, informed by the analysis and study of creative techniques
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of, and engagement with, a broad range of compositional traditions, genres, perspectives and practices, especially with music of the past century
  • LO4. Demonstrate confidence and independence in creative practice
  • LO5. Develop working strategies to compose regularly and proactively, evidenced by a completed folio of new composition(s)
  • LO6. Plan, compose, notate and produce one or more new and original compositions to professional level

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

New course convenor from Semester 2, 2025. Student feedback incorporated from CMPN2603, Semester 1, 2025.

Extensive information can be found on the Canvas Hub site for Composition, Digital Music and Creative Industries. This includes information regarding subsequent principal study units and their assessment criteria, broader degree details, and other content such as composition and career opportunities. 

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.