Master of Music in Music Composition

Purpose

The primary purpose of this Master of Music in Music Composition by coursework and mini-dissertation is to educate and train composers and researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Music Composition and research at an advanced level.

Learners will be trained to reflect critically on the praxis of Music Composition and to be able to deal with complex issues within the field both systematically and creatively, design and critically appraise research, make a sound judgement using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Rationale

This qualification will create opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, valuable economic activity and contributions to the community in the fast-developing music industry in South Africa through advanced education and study.

The qualification will supply South Africa with developing music composers who have the necessary theoretical background and are capable of practical skills, with specialisation and craftsmanship in a recognised sub-discipline within the music industry. This will further contribute to the expansion of the leadership base for innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholastic activity in the country.

This qualification is further intended to educate and train researchers to actively and appropriately contribute in the development of new knowledge in the field of music as it provides an opportunity for the articulation to doctoral studies in the field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualifications. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution RPL policy. The process will be managed by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place. Learners will be assessed against NQF Level 8 competencies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Music, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Music performance, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 9, 180 Credits

• Composition Portfolio 1, 40 Credits.
• Composition Portfolio 2, 40 Credits.
• Composition Portfolio 3, 40 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation, 60 Credits.

1. Design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes steered insight, to solve complex practical and theoretical problems when composing;
2. Use a variety of specialised skills and methods of enquiry through a synthesis of material and procedures of analyses of own works to address complex and challenging problems when composing;
3. Apply specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique current processes in the field of music composition and to evaluate own composition and works by other composers to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of music composition to build the insight necessary for the improvement of own compositions;
4. Make autonomous ethical decisions which affect the creation of a composition;
5. Develop his or her composing strategies, which sustain independent learning and professional development as a composer.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques and processes to solve complex practical and theoretical problems when composing are used;
• Use a variety of specialised skills and methods of enquiry through a synthesis of material and procedures of analyses of own works to address complex and challenging problems when composing;
• Engage with and critique current processes in the field of music composition, and evaluate own composition and works by other composers to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of music composition to build the insight necessary to improve own compositions;
• Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within a music research field, discipline or practise;
• Generate an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights within a specialised music research context.
• Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production;
• Demonstrate the development of ethical standards in a specific music research context;
• Use the resources of academic and professional discourse to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of music research;
• Demonstrate advanced and specialised research skills and discourses appropriate to a music field, discipline or practise to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or/and expertise.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment will be undertaken through projects, assignments and portfolios during the year in the Composition Portfolio modules. Learners will submit all three portfolios and a mini-dissertation or peer-reviewed article on discrete research that was conducted under supervision by the end of the study period.