Individual Music Project 1

Learning Outcomes

In-depth study of a specific area in music analysis, history, theory, music technology or creative practice. Subject areas are chosen in collaboration with the relevant Pathway Lead, and content is negotiated individually between you and the tutor whose expertise most closely matches your interests. Module content and assessment modes are agreed by the end of the second week of the semester in which the course is taken and recorded on the student’s course selection form (returned to the MMus Coordinator). This module provides students with a short, highly supervised ‘bite’ of research, creative practice or music technology focussed project on a topic of their choosing (within the range of topics for which the Department can provide expert supervision). It can be used to replace a subject-specific module in each of the three MMus pathways (Musicology, Composition, Performance) if such a replacement is advisable in order to prepare your for your final work (dissertation, composition portfolio, professional recital). Examples of projects undertaken in this module include: • Essay on Walton’s Violin Concerto in reflection of the crisis of modernity • Essay on perceptual segmentation in Iannis Xenakis’ Keren • Essay on music therapy methods for communicating for people with autism • Short essay and 10-minute track integrating real-world sound to engage with the issues of black rights and police brutality • Construction of 1-bit music box with accompanying instruction manual and two new compositions written for the music box • A report comparing the capabilities of video game audio middleware solutions with accompanying set of sound/music examples developed to illustrate their application. • A detailed comparison of classical recording approaches in a concert hall setting, using a number of microphone techniques and combinations.

Teaching methods include • individual as in individual and / or small group tutorials Learning activities include • individual study/research • managing and writing up a project Tutorials with your IMP supervisor will help you to choose your project and manage your research over the semester. Discussion of your reading and/or listening will sharpen your evaluative skills. Your knowledge and understanding of your topic will develop through independent study and feedback from tutorials, and will be assessed in your project work for the module.