Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen
Koninklijk Conservatorium van Antwerpen
Master exam Composition - (including forums and literature study41296/3503/2526/1/50
Study guide

Master exam Composition - (including forums and literature study

41296/3503/2526/1/50
Academic year 2025-26
Is found in:
  • Educational Master of Arts in Music & Performing Arts
    Choice option within specialisation:
    • Composition within Music
  • Master of Arts in Music, programme stage 5
    Specialisation:
    • Composition
  • Master of Arts in Music
    Specialisation:
    • Composition
This is a single course unit.
Study load: 18 credits
Co-ordinator: Van Camp Bram (dut,eng)
Other teaching staff: Coppens Mathias, Prengels Steven
Languages: Dutch, English
Scheduled for: Academic year
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Possible deadlines for learning account: 01.12.2025 (Academic year)
Re-sit exam: is possible.
Possibility of deliberation: You have to pass this course unit (will never be deliberated).
Total study time: 540,00 hours

Prerequisites

previously registered for Composition - including forums and literature study 4.

Prerequisite competencies (text)

Basic knowledge of English, so the student can communicate with international fellow students.

Learning outcomes (list)

1.1 The student independently broadens and explores repertoire related to his or her discipline.
The student creates music in a mature manner and develops his or her own engaging and original compositional language, conforming to international stylistic standards.
1.4 The student makes music in an artistic project in a creative manner.
The student completely masters the instrumentation, orchestration, and compositional techniques and can apply them independently.
The student demonstrates expressivity through the adequate use of imagination, intuition and emotional understanding.
2.1 The student has thoroughly mastered musical parameters and structures.
The student masters the musical parameters (such as form, rhythm, melodic line, dynamics, articulation) and knows how they interact.
2.2 The student builds up expertise through organisation and independent study.
The student can independently realise musical ideas, taking into account the context, public and the musical material.
2.3 The student can process musical structures through analysis and interpretation.
The student demonstrates an understanding of harmony and analytical thinking skills.
3.1 The student can employ his or her social and communication skills in order to take on a leadership role.
The student demonstrates the expertise to independently devise his or her own artistic concept in an international context and can take a leading role and work with others.
The student works in a team (with other artistic disciplines) on the creation of his or her own artistic concept.
The student works together with other artistic disciplines on the realisation of his or her own artistic concept.
4.1 The student has extensive knowledge of the broader cultural and (musical) historical context and can use this in his or her artistic practice.
The student consciously moves the public with his or her personal vision and artistic drive and can put together programmes that are coherent and appropriate for the circumstances on the basis of research into musical styles and performance practice.
The student can accurately demonstrate his or her own critical reflection in relation to his or her artistic work.
4.3 The student can present orally and in writing the results of critical (self-)reflection.
The student demonstrates an inquisitive attitude.
The student can maintain his or her own expertise in a process of life-long learning.

Course content

Composition
Read the study guide. The course of composition focuses on personal expression and brings together all the other main courses (harmony and counterpoint, analysis, orchestration, etc.) in the creation of new compositions.
Composition classes consist of both individual coaching and reflection in small groups where sketches and compositions by the student are analysed and discussed on a weekly basis. Students are encouraged to adopt an inquisitive attitude to further develop their personal language. In composition classes, the focus is on what the young composer wishes to express and resources are provided to realise these personal goals professionally.
Students are expected to actively participate in various projects (inside and/or outside the school) where their music can be rehearsed and performed.

Forums and literature study
Read the study guide. Group classes are organised regularly (literature study) where students are introduced to the main music literature from the twentieth century onwards, the main composers and their compositional techniques within historical context.
At forums, students are introduced to guest speakers: composers, performers, musicologists, researchers, etc. Students are stimulated to (self)reflection in these activities.

Study material (text): Mandatory

Students will provide their own materials necessary to realise their compositional ambitions.
A laptop and software for music notation in addition to (music) paper and pencils are recommended.

Study material (text): Recommended

- Specialized journals & literature
- Websites related to professional literature and research in the field
- Books, newspaper articles, videos, DVDs, CDs related to the field of study
- Access to final projects and master's theses from previous years

Educational organisation (list)

Learning Activities
Artistic praxis30,00 hours
Collaborative learning30,00 hours
Work time outside of contact hours480,00 hours

Evaluation (list)

Evaluation(s) for first exam chance
MomentForm%Remark
1st examination periodPortfolio70,00Part Composition
The student must achieve a minimum of 50% in all tests in order to pass the entire course unit.
1st examination periodReflection assignment during the examination series15,00Part Forums
1st examination periodReflection assignment during the examination series15,00Part Literature Study
Evaluation(s) for re-sit exam
MomentForm%Remark
2nd examination periodArtistic educative project assignment15,00Part Literatuurstudie
2nd examination periodArtistic skills assessment during the examination series70,00Part Composition
Part Portfolio The student must achieve a minimum of 50% in all tests in order to pass the entire course unit.
2nd examination periodReflection assignment during the examination series15,00Part Forums