Music Composition Bachelor's Degree Program

Private Composition Lesson Level 5

June semester enrollment extended until Mon., Jul 7. Limited seats still available.

Private Composition Lesson Level 5 focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in writing for the human voice, exploring a variety of vocal forms, including art songs, choral works, and operatic arias. You will study techniques in text setting, melody, harmony, and vocal arrangement, with special attention given to the relationship between text and music. You will analyze and draw inspiration from both historical and contemporary vocal repertoire and engage in exercises that develop your ability to write expressive and technically sound vocal music. In addition, you will compose a work primarily focused on voice and text setting that is scored for at least one voice, and possibly instruments, in various formats (solo voice, voice(s) and instruments, or choir).

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By the end of Private Composition Lesson Level 5, you will be able to:

  • Analyze principles of effective text setting, ensuring clarity and natural prosody in vocal compositions
  • Set texts that enhance the musical and emotional impact of the composition
  • Write appropriate, memorable, and singable melodies by applying your knowledge of vocal ranges, singing mechanisms, and text declamation
  • Employ advanced harmonic techniques to support and enhance vocal lines, creating rich and expressive harmonies
  • Apply various formal structures in vocal music, such as strophic, through-composed, and ternary forms
  • Compose cohesive vocal pieces with clear structural and thematic development
  • Utilize dynamics, articulation, phrasing, and other expressive techniques to convey the text's meaning and emotion
  • Create balanced and effective vocal arrangements that consider the unique qualities of each voice part
  • Experiment with different textures, such as homophony, polyphony, and antiphonal techniques
  • Notate the score according to professional notation standards
  • Reflect on your compositional process and articulate artistic choices and intentions
  • Compose music for voice and piano or multiple voices
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Requirements

Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements 

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
Completion of Private Composition Lesson Level 4 is required.

Software

  • Students are required to create notation and submit it in PDF format. Options include:
    • Notation software (recommended option), such as Sibelius, Dorico, MuseScore (free), etc.
    • Handwritten notation captured by a digital camera or a scanner can be used in lieu of notation software.

Instrument

  • Piano or keyboard instrument with at least 61 keys and a sustain pedal
    • If using a MIDI keyboard controller, a high-quality piano software instrument is also required.
    • If using a digital piano or keyboard workstation without built-in speakers, an audio interface or amplifier is also required.

Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.


General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course. 

Mac Users

PC Users

All Users

  • Latest version of Google Chrome
  • Zoom meeting software
  • Webcam
  • Speakers or headphones
  • External or internal microphone
  • Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

You'll learn from the best, in an exclusive one-on-one session each week. Meet your Music Composition private lesson instructors.

Questions?

Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.

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