Undergraduate Marking Criteria for Composition (Levels 5 & 6)Department of MusicMark Range Key features applicable in the assessment of the individual components of the portfolio of composition, the portfolio

as a whole, and composition take-away papersFirst90-100A++

overall An individual composition exhibiting outstanding technical and artistic achievement: exceptionally well -structured, highly coherent, and engaging with some of the technical challenges and aesthetic issues related to contemporary -or earlier - music, showing a striking personal voice, insight and originality

Outstanding portfolio exhibiting, as a whole, an excellent range of technical challenges and a variety of instrumental and/or vocal resources (in addition to the other qualities outlined under this mark range for individual compositions)

understanding Authoritative; total mastery of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; highly original technical handling of least two of the following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; highly independent approach; high degree of precision in the handling of the technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply unusually extensive awareness of, and/or engagement with contemporary (or earlier) music and compositional techniques contributing to a highly integrated musical experience

structure Excellent handling of all musical and compositional aspects, aural and performing effectiveness, presentation to current professional standards contributing to a highly compelling aesthetic experience

First80-89A+

overall An individual composition exhibiting very high artistic achievement: well-structured, coherent, and engaging with some of the technical challenges and aesthetic issues related to contemporary -or earlier- music and compositional techniques; showing clarity of intention, a personal approach to the handling of musical technique and originality

Distinguished portfolio exhibiting, as a whole, a remarkable range of technical challenges and a variety of instrumental and/or vocal resources (in addition to the other qualities outlined under this mark range for individual compositions).

understanding Thorough understanding of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; a remarkably high degree of competence in the technical handling of at least two of the following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; signs of an emerging independent approach; precision in the handling of technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply extensive awareness of, and/or engagement with the relevant musical literature structure Remarkably good handling of all musical aspects and compositional elements, aural and performing effectiveness, presentation to

current professional standards contributing to a distinctive aesthetic experienceFirst70-79A

overall An individual composition exhibiting remarkably good artistic skills: well structured, coherent, and engaging with some of the technical challenges and aesthetic issues related to contemporary (or earlier) music; showing clarity of intention, a personal approach to the handling of musical technique; informed by some awareness of contemporary and/or music of the past; showing clarity of intention and a personal approach to the handling of musical technique.

A highly accomplished portfolio exhibiting, as a whole, a very good range of technical challenges and the use of a variety of instrumental and/or vocal resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range for individual compositions)

understanding Very good understanding of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; a high degree of competence in the technical handling of at least two of the following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; signs of an emerging independent approach; precision in the handling of the technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply extensive awareness of the relevant musical literaturestructure Remarkably good handling of all musical and compositional elements, aural and performing effectiveness, presentation to current

professional standards contributing to a satisfying aesthetic experienceUpper Second60-69B+(65-69)

overall An individual composition showing good technical skills, coherence and economy in use of resources A well - considered portfolio exhibiting a good range of technical challenges and the use of a variety of instrumental and/or

vocal resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range)

B (60-64)understanding Good understanding of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; competence in the technical handling of at least two of the

following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; signs of an emerging independent approach; precision in the use of the technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply appropriate but limited awareness of relevant musical literaturestructure Good handling of most musical and compositional elements, some degree of aural and performing effectiveness, presentation to

current professional standards contributing to an aesthetic experienceLower Second50-59C+(55-59)C (50-54)

overall An individual composition showing sound technical skills and coherence A well considered portfolio exhibiting, as a whole, a moderate range of technical challenges and some variety of

instrumental and/or vocal resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range)understanding Sound understanding of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; some degree of competence in the technical handling of

at least two of the following: melodic and /or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; precision in the handling of some technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply some degree of awareness of the relevant musical literature; attempts to incorporate relevant models, but the result is awkward or unconvincing

structure Sound handling of some musical aspects and compositional elements but undeveloped; some attempt achieving aural and performing effectiveness but the result may be awkward, unconvincing, or impractical, presentation to current professional standards with minor lapses, resulting in a not entirely satisfactory aesthetic experience

Third40-49D45-49)

overall An individual composition showing basic technical skills and coherence A portfolio of compositions exhibiting, as a whole, a very limited variety of technical challenges and use of instrumental

and/or vocal resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range)understanding Composition exhibiting some general knowledge of instrumental, vocal or resources employed, but little detailed understanding of

the specifics; rudimentary competence in the technical handling of at least one of the following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; precision in the handling of some technical aspects

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply little awareness of the relevant musical literature; no or little evidence of attempts to incorporate relevant models

structure Rudimentary handling of certain musical and compositional elements but undeveloped, attempts to achieve aural and performing effectiveness but the result may be unsuccessful or impractical; presentation to current professional standards but with major lapses, resulting in an awkward aesthetic experience

Fail (condoned)33-39F

overall An individual composition showing poor technical skills, incomplete and/or lacking precision A portfolio of compositions exhibiting, as a whole, no variety of technical challenges and use of instrumental and/or vocal

resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range)understanding Composition showing some basic knowledge of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed, but no understanding of the

specifics; some knowledge of at least one of the technical handling of one of following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority; but no precision in their handling

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply inappropriate or/or very minimal awareness of relevant musical literature; no or little evidence of attempts to incorporate relevant models

structure Disorganized or unclear presentation; consistently poor regard for current professional standards of presentation; unacceptably briefFail 0-32F

overall An individual composition showing poor technical skills, incomplete and/or lacking precisionA portfolio of compositions exhibiting, as a whole, no variety of technical challenges and use of instrumental and/or vocal resources (in addition to the qualities outlined under this mark range)

understanding Composition showing minimal or no knowledge of instrumental, vocal or other resources employed; minimal or none of the technical handling of any of the following: melodic and or motivic material, form, harmony, rhythm, texture and sonority, and no precision in their use

selection & coverage Composition exhibiting features that imply inappropriate and/or inaccurate knowledge of relevant musical literature or little evidence of attempts to incorporate relevant models

Correct for the academic session 2011-2012 / Robert Keeley and Silvina Milstein

structure Disorganized or unclear presentation; consistently poor regard for current professional standards of presentation; incoherent presentation; unacceptably brief

Correct for the academic session 2011-2012 / Robert Keeley and Silvina Milstein