DIGITAL MUSIC CREATION
ASSESSMENT TASK:
MINIMALIST COMPOSITION
Last lesson in Week 5
Your task is to create a music composition in a minimalist style, based upon a programmatic
idea. The composition must be at least 30 bars in length. You must prepare all of the
following aspects for submission in order to successfully complete the task:



A Programmatic description of the work (story) approx. 1 paragraph
A report explaining your compositional choices using the Elements of Music
A full score of the notated music produced in MuseScore
Your report should be written in paragraph format, using the elements of music as
subheadings throughout the report. Students should ensure that the work has been edited,
with spelling and grammar checked before submission. Your Programme description and
report should be between 300 and 400 words in total.
Your score should be comprised of at least four individual parts. At least 3 of these parts
should be pitched instruments. Students must ensure that there is the correct number of
beats in every bar and that the composition follows the programme description. Dynamics
must be included as part of the composition.
If you have any questions or concerns about the assessment task, you must see your teacher
well in advance of the due date. Enjoy!
Criteria
S
G
VG
EX
Understanding of
the five elements of
music and how they
are prevalent in
own music work
Identification of how
some of the
elements of music
are apparent within
the selected music
works.
Identification of how
the five elements of
music are apparent
within the selected
music works.
Detailed discussion
about the effect of
each of the five
elements of music,
in the chosen music
works.
Understanding of
the Pentatonic
Scale and
compositional
techniques
Moderately
consistent
implementation of
the chosen
pentatonic scale,
with some attempt at
composition
techniques such as
Inversion,
Retrograde,
Augmentation,
Diminution or
Fragmentation,
repetition etc.
Successful
Implementation of
the chosen
pentatonic scale,
with some evidence
of at least two
composition
techniques such as
Inversion,
Retrograde,
Augmentation,
Diminution or
Fragmentation,
repetition etc.
Identification and
some discussion
about the ways the
five elements of
music are used in
the chosen music
works.
Consistent
manipulation of the
chosen pentatonic
scale, with the
effective use of at
least three
composition
techniques such as
Inversion,
Retrograde,
Augmentation,
Diminution or
Fragmentation,
repetition etc.
Understanding of
Minimalist
structure
Basic layering of
parts in the
composition, with a
variety of
instruments, to
generate a work that
resembles the
programmatic focus.
Multi-layered
composition that
includes a
combination of
instruments and
limited dynamics to
realise the
programmatic focus
of the work. Some
attempt at
coordination of parts
is evident to develop
the texture of the
work.
Multi-layered
composition that
includes a
combination of
instruments and
dynamics to
successfully realise
the programmatic
focus of the work.
Some coordination of
parts is evident in the
development of
texture.
Use of ICT for
creation and
evaluation of music
work
Development of a
music work with the
use of compositional
software.
Evidence of some
manipulation of the
compositional
software to develop
and evaluate the
music work.
Efficient
manipulation of
compositional
software in the
development and
evaluation of music
work.
Use of appropriate
metalanguage
when exploring and
responding to
music works
Use of common
phrases in place of
specific musical
vocabulary, to
describe music
works.
Use of some of the
musical vocabulary
terms relevant to the
selected works.
Good use of the
musical vocabulary
terms relevant to the
selected works and
the elements being
discussed.
Use expressive,
fluent and coherent
writing (following
the conventions of
English)
Demonstrates some
organisation and a
generally coherent
discussion with an
attempt to organise
the mapping of the
music composition.
Demonstrates a
generally organised
and coherent
discussion in the
mapping of the music
composition.
Demonstrates a
highly organised,
fluent and coherent
discussion in the
mapping of the music
composition.
Consistent and
sophisticated
manipulation of the
chosen pentatonic
scale, with the
effective use of
several
compositional
techniques such as
Inversion,
Retrograde,
Augmentation,
Diminution or
Fragmentation,
repetition etc.
Multi-layered
composition that
effectively uses the
combination of
instruments and
dynamics to clearly
and successfully
realise the
programmatic focus
of the work. Careful
coordination of parts
is evident in the
development of
texture and
musicality.
Efficient and
effective
manipulation of
compositional
software in the
development and
evaluation of music
work.
Comprehensive use
of the musical
vocabulary terms
relevant to the
selected works and
elements being
discussed.
Demonstrates a
highly expressive,
organised, fluent and
coherent discussion
in the mapping of the
music composition.