Piano Composition Studies (MCO4171.01)

Allen Shawn

This is a two credit composition workshop for students who want to practice their notated composing, and who have previously taken “Composing for Instruments” or another course requiring notational skills. The idea of the class is to gain fluency in the composing/notating process and confront some theory concepts along the way, by notating short pieces for piano following specific prompts. There will be weekly or bi-weekly composing assignments, some decided upon by the instructor, some determined by the group. Assignments could range from “Write a one-page two-part invention”, “Write a one page piece using jazzy rhythms”, “Write a short twelve-tone piece”, “Write a piece in a Rock piano idiom”, to “Write a short piece in which the pianist needs to talk as well as play”, “Write a piece for piano in which the keyboard is not used (and the piano is not harmed!)”.


Learning Outcomes:
Improved fluency of composing and of notating
Developing a variety of ways of composing for piano




Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites:
"Composing for Instruments" or an equivalent class that required notation skills. Permission of instructor. Please contact Allen Shawn (ashawn@bennington.edu).

Corequisites: It is strongly recommended that anyone taking this course is also studying an instrument or voice concurrently.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 2
W 2:10PM - 4:00PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Course Frequency: One time only

Categories: 4000 , All courses , Composition , Fully In-Person , Two Credit
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