Composition recital

 We will have a composition recital on the last day of classes. Since you've done similar projects for the last two semesters, we won't have a multi-phase process of composition; you'll just write your composition on your own and arrange for its performance with one or more class members (other guests are allowed too).

A note about personnel: if you would like a live accompanist, it's up to you to arrange that. Make sure that the person (people) can commit to the performance time (our class time on Tuesday) as well as as much rehearsal time as will be necessary for a decent performance. It would be acceptable to use an electronic accompaniment. I would be willing to accompany some of you if the piano part is reasonably easy, and if you get it to me 2 days in advance.

I'd like you to be creative and enjoy the project, so I am leaving the specifications open to a large degree. However, your composition should meet the following criteria:

Form:
You may write your piece in any form we have studied (Binary, ternary, rondo, sonata, sectional variations). If you choose variation form, you may write an original theme and two variations, or you may write three variations on a pre-existing theme).

Length
At least 32 measures. This may contain some degree of repetition (for example, if you write a parallel period, the first 2 measures of each phrase might be the same). However, an 8-measure phrase that is repeated exactly will count as 8, not 16 measures.
There should be at least 4 different phrases.

Harmonic content--include at least three different ones of the following:
Applied dominant
Applied leading-tone chord
Modal mixture chord
Augmented sixth chord (specify Italian, French, German)
Neapolitan chord
Change of mode
Modulation

You will also write program notes for your piece. These should be about 100 words long (minimum), and can explain your inspiration for the piece. There should also be some discussion of the musical elements you have included. The musical discussion can have some technical elements, but should be written for a lay audience (that is, assume that the readers are smart and educated, but don't necessarily know all the specific musical vocabulary that you have learned over the last five semesters).

Finally, in addition to your program notes, write a brief analysis that addresses any specific musical content that you included, but is not appropriate to include in your program notes. This should also be about 100 words (minimum), and should be specific. For example, if you include a Neapolitan chord, identify the chord, the measure in which it appears, how it acts within the phrase, etc. This analysis should be supplemented with an annotated score.

Program notes and brief analysis should be submitted electronically (on SAKAI). These are due on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 AM, along with information for the program (title and personnel). This will give me enough time to compile a program. The hard copy of the score is to be handed in at the beginning of the class period (you will want your own copy to read off for your performance too).