Elements and Performance Criteria

Strategies for developing composition skills may include:
working with an appropriate tutor/mentor
listening critically to a wide range of live and recorded music
using opportunities to compose music
using opportunities to develop sound design skills
participating in relevant groups or associations
participating in professional development and other learning opportunities to develop compositional skills
contributing to/participating in, festivals and conferences
being involved in a range of music making activities
reading a wide range of poetry and other literary texts

Listening may include:
instrument tuning
aural imagination
pattern and sequence recognition and memory
recognising music systems and practices
chords, keys in tonal or other musical systems
reproduction of sequences from memory

Music knowledge may include:
repertoire and history of music relevant to area of specialisation
instrument knowledge relevant to area of specialisation

orchestration/instrumentation/voicing relevant to area of specialisation
music analyses and research relevant to area of specialisation
musical forms, systems, practices and customs relevant to area of specialisation
reading and writing music using written music notation such as acoustic and electronic scores, sheet music and chord charts
interpretation and/or writing of directions for, instrumentation, voicing, expression, timbre, attack, pitch, tempi, dynamics and expression relevant to area of specialisation
music writing, copying, arranging or editing relevant to area of specialisation
improvisation where relevant to area of specialisation
setting down music to be reproduced for performance where relevant to area of specialisation

Technical skills may include:
understanding of instruments and musical elements relevant to area of specialisation
composing skills relevant to area of specialisation
musical elements and compositional techniques appropriate to style of music making
technical requirements of relevant instruments for accurate and appropriate music writing relevant to area of specialisation
scoring parts appropriate to musical style where relevant to area of specialisation

Technology may include:
use and maintenance of equipment
use of electronic hardware and software for composing and orchestrating
music recording
special effects

Relevant parties to be consulted may include:
producers
directors
artists
technicians
team leaders
agents
administrators
artistic and business managers
legal representatives

Workplace considerations may include:
goals, values, objectives, processes and appropriate practices
ethical standards of industry / employer / agent / commissioner / client / audience
Copyright Act
music licensing laws
OHS
contracts
contingency planning
problem solving

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:
Professional development
locating and using resources to broaden understanding of musical contexts and their requirements
practising composition and/or sound design relevant to area of specialisation
seeking advice to enhance composing options and quality relevant to area of specialisation
using opportunities to continuously develop composition techniques relevant to area of specialisation
acquiring and using information to fulfil a music brief
evaluating, adjusting and developing own work in line with a brief
listening to and discerning the advice of appropriate clients, colleagues, experts and audience groups to adjust work realistically in line with career direction
communicating musical ideas effectively
Music craft
demonstrating understanding of a range of musical ideas and materials relevant to area of specialisation
applying appropriate styles, sounds or interpretation relevant to a brief
using appropriate chords and scales, forms, textures or other elements of musical organisation in music work relevant to the brief
understanding appropriate composition and performance protocols relevant to the brief
using solo or group performance/composition protocols and customs that where relevant to the brief
demonstrating appropriate literacy in setting down work as required in area of specialisation
Technical
presenting creative ideas effectively for performers or other purposes required to fulfil the brief
using a range of composing techniques and materials as required to fulfil the intention of the brief
using a variety of scales, chord sequences and music systems appropriate to intended outcomes
using a variety of rhythms, time signatures, beats and rhythmic styles appropriate to intended outcomes
using a variety of instruments and instrumental combinations appropriate to intended outcomes
creating for a variety of styles appropriate to intended outcomes
Creative
demonstrating originality and innovative approaches in the creation of music within the scope of the brief
extending musical boundaries for self and audience within the scope of the brief
listening critically to continuously evaluate and adjust the musical work to produce the best outcome
Expressive
phrasing and shaping music appropriately
understanding and expressing appropriate musical nuance in line with the requirements of the brief
composing appropriately for the context of venues, sound forces available and perceived audience taste
Technology
using appropriate equipment and/or instruments effectively
using appropriate technology to improve creative outcomes
using technology to set down creative work
investigating technology to enhance artistic and commercial outcomes
Presentation and communication
matching repertoire with audience and/or other requirements of the brief
observing cultural protocols appropriate to the brief
using effective interpersonal skills
maintaining an appropriate standard of presentation in all public and professional undertakings and dealings
maintaining an appropriate standard of presentation in all work
using opportunities to effectively develop career goals
working creatively with individual differences
working constructively with group dynamics to achieve best work outcomes
identifying and dealing constructively with conflict
Planning and organisation
clarifying roles
working within established budgets and timeframes to achieve planned outcomes
keeping an accurate and up to date diary of work commitments
demonstrating reliability in all agreed work commitments
using time management strategies to set priorities
developing systems for required documentation such as financial, taxation, insurance, copyright and other legal requirements and business plans where required

Linkages to other units
This unit has strong linkages to, and may be assessed with, the following units:
CUSMGE02A Develop self as artist
CUSMGE01A Maintain self or group in music
CUSBGE16A Maintain self or group in business
CUSMGE03A Use instruments equipment and/or technology for making music
CUSMCP06A Compose music for screen using electronic media
CUSMGE06A Read music
CUSMGE04A Analyse music
CUSMGE07A Analyse harmony

Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
skill in manipulating musical elements in composition
music writing and repertoire knowledge relevant to selected music specialisation

Method and context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including :
assessment of written scores or recorded of the assessee's work developed for a brief
relevant samples of artistic work with candidate's evaluation in terms of fulfilling a brief
process diary
oral questioning on planning the musical materials for a brief
discussion of goals, time management and strategies in working to a brief
samples of assessee's work plans detailing the components of a brief
authenticated details of relevant courses or training sessions
authenticated details of relevant artistic and/or commercial achievements
relevant portfolio kit, tapes, scores, CDs, videos, of practitioner's work
simulation of a brief and discussion of the compositional assignment
case studies and scenarios to discuss issues, methods and strategies in working to a brief
portfolios or other documentation which demonstrate the processes used in realising creative concept
Competency in this unit may need to be assessed over a period of time, in a range of contexts and on multiple occasions involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence.
Assessment may occur off the job, on the job or in a combination of on and off the job. Assessment of this unit requires evidence of the assessee's ability to interpret a brief and to observe and reflect the objectives of the brief in executing the creative work. This may be done through an assignment and viva voce. Additionally it is suggested that at least three of the assessment methods mentioned above be used to assess this unit.

Resource requirements
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all of the relevant resources commonly used in the development of artistic skills relevant to the candidate's genre and mode of expression. Specific assessment tools may include:
scores, tapes or work portfolios
audio equipment
appropriate venue with adequate equipment, space and acoustic qualities to assess practical observation

Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(3)