Course Description

David Music Center offers the following music theory study and courses:

 

Download London College of Music Examinations (LCM)

 

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Courses of LCM Graded Examination in Composition

1. Compositional Theory and Techniques for LCM Grade 8 Composition
2. Workshop for Preparing Portfolio for LCM Grade 8 Composition Examination

 

Courses Aims:

1. Acquire the elementary compositional techniques for instrumental writing
2. Writing Romantic harmony
3. Introducing elementary contrapuntal techniques
4. Knowledge of several important musical styles in Common Practice Period
5. Basic knowledge of instrumentation
6. Preparing the composition portfolio for the LCM Grade 8 Composition Examination

 

Entry requirement:

Students should possess at least general level of knowledge in music literacy. Grade 8 level of music theory (ABRSM or Trinity) is recommendable.

 

A. Compositional Theory and Techniques for LCM Grade 8 Composition

Description:

The Course centers on introducing and exploring fundamental theoretical concepts and compositional skills. Tutor will strengthen students the use of chromatic harmony for expressive purposes, as well as some basic contrapuntal techniques to elaborate textures. Analytical examples of various musical styles will be analyzed and discussed. Some strings writing techniques will also be introduced. Exercises of harmony and counterpoint writings will be given to students for training their compositional competency.

 

Topics:

 

1. Introduction to Instrumentation and Piano Transcription (5 lessons)

• a. Computer-aided Scoring and the Use of Software
• b. Writing Techniques for Strings and Woodwinds
• c. Piano Transcription Problems

 

2. Stylistic Compositions and Romantic Harmony (5 lessons)

• Writing for Structural Balance of Classical Form
• Character Piece in Romantic Chromaticism
• Modes and Scales in Early Modernism

 

3. Free Counterpoint Techniques (3 lessons)

• Writing for 2-part and 3-part
• Canon, imitation and independent line

 

4. Composing for Voice and Piano (2 lessons)

• 4-part and Piano style
• Setting of Lyrics to Melody

 

Number of Lessons and Duration:

1. 2 hours per lesson
2. Approximate 15 lessons

 

B. Workshop for Preparing Portfolio for LCM Grade 8 Composition Examination

 

Description:

The course aims to assist students to prepare their original compositions for the examination. Tutors discuss and comments on the drafts of the composition. In order to strengthen the techniques of the students, more listening examples and score analysis will be offered to students as reference when preparing their own original works. All discussions of the musical examples will center on option A. Students are expected to present their compositional plan during the classes.

 

Topics:

 

1. More Discussions on Instrumentations and Writing for Small Ensemble (2 lessons)
2. More Discussions on Romantic Chromaticism (2 lessons)
3. More Discussions on Writing tonal music (2 lesson)
4. Writing of String Quartet (3 lesson)
5. Setting of a Chosen Tune for Small Ensemble of five instruments (2 lessons)
6. Piano Transcription for Chamber Orchestra (3 lessons)
7. Preparation of Scores, Recording, and the Portfolio (1 lesson)

 

Number of Lessons and Duration:

1. Time: 2 hours
2. Period: approximate 15 lessons

 

 

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Courses of ALCM/LLCM/FLCM Diploma Examination in Composition

 

1. Compositional Theory and Techniques for ALCM/LLCM in Composition
2. Workshop for Preparing Portfolio for ALCM/LLCM in Composition Examination

 

Courses Aims:

1. Acquire Advance Compositional Techniques for Instrumental Music
2. Writing Tonal harmony in Late Romantic Style
3. Advance 20^th Century Contrapuntal Techniques
4. Knowledge of Twentieth Century Musical Styles
5. Knowledge of Orchestration for full Orchestra
6. 20^th Century Compositional Techniques
7. Preparing the Composition Portfolio for the ALCM /LLCM Composition Examination

 

Entry requirement:

Students are expected to have completed the Course of LCM Grade 8 Composition, or possess Grade 8 LCM Composition for ALCM, or Associative level of knowledge in music literacy for LLCM. The acquisition of knowledge in AMusTCL/AMusLCM level of music theory (Trinity or LCM) is highly recommendable.

 

 

A. Compositional Theory and Techniques for ALCM/LLCM/FLCM Diploma in Composition

 

Description:

 

The Course centers on exploring twentieth century theoretical concepts and compositional skills. Tutor will strengthen students for the writing of high chromaticism, atonal, free tonal, as well as impressionistic and textural devices for various types of ensembles. Vocal music, including SATB Chorus compositions will be examined. In addition, analytical examples of modern and postmodern musical styles will be analyzed and discussed. More extended playing techniques of instruments will also be introduced. Exercises of modern harmony and various contemporary styles writings will be given to students for training their contemporary compositional competency.

 

Topics:

 

1. Orchestration and Re-arrangement (6 lessons)

• Extended Playing Techniques of Instruments
• Writing for Modern SATB Chorus
• Writing Percussions for Ensemble or Full Orchestra
• Orchestration for Romantic and Modern Styles
• Writing for Contemporary Ensemble
• More on Re-arrangement and Piano Transcription

 

2. Stylistic Compositions: Learning from the Great Masters (10 lessons)

• 20^th century polyphonic devices
• Atonal, Free Tonal, and Pan-tonal
• Chance Music and Serialism
• Textural Music: Ligeti and Penderecki
• Minimalism, Avant-garde, and Experimentalism
• Interactive Music
• Some Recent Postmodern Styles

 

3. Graphic, Spatial, Unconventional Notation (2 lessons)

• Use of music software
• Notation Symbols
• Preparing Sounds of Midi

 

4. Composing for Chorus and Voice (2 lessons)

• Works of Chorus and Voice
• Some Modern Vocal Techniques
• Setting of Lyrics

 

Number of Lessons and Duration:

Time: 2 hours per lesson

Period: Approximate 20 lessons

 

 

B. Workshop for Preparing Portfolio for ALCM/LLCM/FLCM

Composition Examination

 

Description:

The course aims to assist students to prepare their original compositions according to the requirement of Diplomatic examination. Tutors discuss and comments on the drafts of the students’ compositional drafts. In order to strengthen the techniques of the students, more listening examples and score analysis will be offered to students as references when preparing their own original works. Students are expected to discuss their compositional plan and to roughly draft their compositions in the lessons.

 

Topics:

 

1. More discussions on Orchestration and Extended Playing Techniques (4 lessons)
2. More discussions on Modern and Postmodern Styles (2 lesson)
3. Learning from the Compositions of the Great Master (6 lesson)
4. Writing Contemporary Ensembles of Different Instrumental Combinations (3 lesson)
5. Re-arrangement of a Chosen Tune (2 lessons)
6. More on Vocal and Chorus Writings (2 lessons)
7. Preparation of the Scores, Recordings, and the Portfolio

 

Number of lessons and Duration:

Time: 2 hours

Period: approximate 20 lessons

 

 

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Courses of ALCM/LLCM/FLCM Diploma Examination by Thesis

 

Course Aim:

The course aims to help students to conduct an independent research of a particular topic for their dissertation, and to set up reasonable arguments/issues for their research.

 

Description:

 

Apart from different citation formats will be introduced, in order to improve students to exhibit academic rigor and good literary style in their writings, skills of writing in English on music will also be discussed by using different Journal papers as examples. Furthermore, students attending this course are expected to learn how to set up arguments or issues of the musical works in relation to not only the intra-context of its own musical parameters, but also the relevant extra-context of documentational, historical, social, cultural, as well as philosophical and aesthetical terrains, for their scholarships.

 

 

Topics:

 

1. Brief Survey on Musical History and Styles: From Common Practice Period to Modern (8 lessons)

• Historical Issue in Baroque Style
• Historical Issue in Classicism
• Historical Issue in Romanticism
• Historical Issues in Late Romantic Period and Impressionism
• Historical Issues from Modern to After 1945

2. Analysis and Discussion of Different Journal Papers (5 lessons)

Papers Chosen from Different Subjects:

• Papers on Formal Analysis of Musical Pieces (tonal/atonal piece)
• Papers on Discussing the Style of a Composer in Historical Context.
• Papers on Discussing Music in relation to Socio-Cultural, or Aesthetic Issue.

3. Writing Skills of English on Music Dissertation (2 lesson)

• Citation Formats
• Abstract Writing

 

4. Demonstration of Some Expressions in English Writings about Music (1 lesson)

5. Structure of a Dissertation (1 lesson)

6. Methodology: Collecting Examples, and Relevant Supporting Stuff (2 lesson)

 

Number of Issues and Duration:

Time: 2 hours

Period: 20 lessons

 

 

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Course of AMusLCM Diploma Examination

 

Course Aim:

 

The Course is designed for taking the AMusLCM Music Theory Examination. Students will acquire sufficient harmony writing and score analytical skills to meet the requirement of the examination questions.

 

Entry Requirement:

 

Students should possess at least the general level of knowledge in music literacy. Grade 8 level of music theory (ABRSM or Trinity) is recommendable.

 

Topics:

 

1. Paper 1 Questions Study (10 lessons)

• Rudiments Revision
• Score Extract Analysis
• Analysis of Bach’s Chorale Style
• 4-part Harmonization and Voice Leading revision
• Bach’s Chorale Harmonization
• 2-part Counterpoint in Baroque style
• Modulation and Tonicization
• Chromatic Harmony Revision

 

2. Paper 2 Question Study (10 lessons)

• Harmonic Analysis of Music in Different Styles
• Stylistic Composition
• Writing for Instrument / Piano
• Set Work Discussion

 

Number of Lessons and Duration:

Time: 2 hours

Period: approximate 20 lessons

 

 

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Course of LMusLCM Diploma Examination

 

Course Aim:

 

The Course is designed for taking the LMusLCM Music Theory Examination. Students will acquire sufficient harmony writing and score analytical skills to meet the requirement of the examination questions. In addition, students are trained to compose music of different styles, as well as to use various orchestration techniques to transcribe a piano extract.

 

Entry Requirement:

 

Students should possess at least the general level of knowledge in music literacy. Grade 8 level of music theory (ABRSM or Trinity) is recommendable.

 

Topics:

 

1. Paper 1 Questions Study (15 lessons)

• Analysis of Compositions of Various Styles
• Thematic/Motivic Variation Techniques of Tonal Music
• Revision of Chromatic Harmony in Romantic Styles
• Musical Form and Structure
• Free Counterpoint Study
• Fundamental Instrumentation and Orchestration Techniques
• Piano Transcription Problems
• Composing for Instruments in Various Styles

 

2. Paper 2 Question Study (15 lessons)

• General History Related to Set Piece
• Set Piece Discussion and Analysis

 

 

Number of Lessons and Duration:

Time: 2 hours

Period: approximate 30 lessons

 

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