Song Writing & Performance 1A

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
MUSI 1030
Course ID icon
Course ID
204299
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course introduces students to the creative, technical and professional skills used by composers in a contemporary popular music context, with a focus on the creation and presentation of new original music. Seminars introduce composition and song writing techniques, including creative impetus, the musical materials of rhythm, pitch, melody, chords progressions and song structures, and approaches to writing lyrics. Stylistic idioms used in contemporary popular music styles are contextualized in relation to established song-writing forms. Through Workshops, students will work in small groups to prepare their original work for live performance. Rehearsal, improvisation and performance techniques will be introduced, culminating in on and off-campus student performances.

Course learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of basic composition and music production principles used by professional songwriters;
  • Develop an understanding of their own compositional voice at a basic level
  • Develop a cogent and quality portfolio of songs in a recorded and notated format;
  • skills in the interpretation and performance of the compositions of others;
  • an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and activities involved in live Contemporary Music performance; and
  • basic abilities in the evaluation of performances and the communication of instructions and technical requirements to others.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A