Undergraduate

SCHOOL OF ARTS, HISTORIES AND CULTURES

GRADE DESCRIPTORS FOR COMPOSITION
The grade descriptors for undergraduate work will normally incorporate the following headings:
1. CONTENT, STRUCTURE AND TREATMENT OF MATERIALS
2. USE OF INSTRUMENTAL/ELECTROACOUSTIC RESOURCES
3. PRESENTATION/NOTATION AND COPYING (as appropriate)
These criteria will not necessarily have equal weight, and the weighting will depend on the nature of the task.
All work will be assessed according to the criteria below:
In addition to the criteria for first class, an excellent first will meet the following criteria:
90-100%
The composition displays exceptional flair and creative innovation. The student demonstrates outstanding expressive fluency and sophistication in the handling of
musical parameters in the delineation of materials and the articulation of musical structures. Work of this quality would be deemed of the highest professional
standard.
80-89%
The composition is exemplary in its imagination and technical execution. The student handles musical parameters in a controlled and directed manner such that
materials are highly profiled and structures clearly articulated with powerful expressive intent. Work in this class would be deemed to be of a good professional
standard.

In addition to the criteria for first class, a good first will meet the following criteria:
75-79%
The composition is excellent in most respects. The handling of musical parameters is mature, materials strong and structure clear. Work in this class would be
deemed to be approaching a good professional standard.

SAHC grade descriptors for Composition

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st

1 Class (70-100%)

2.1 (60-69%)

2.2 (50-59%)

3 (40-49%)

Fail (30-39%)

Content, structure and

treatment of materials

Impressive technical
command in the handling of
musical parameters and a
highly developed aural
awareness. Materials/
gestures are well profiled
and are located within a
compatible musical
structure that is clearly
articulated.

Strong control of musical

parameters and good aural
awareness.
Materials/gestures are well
defined and developed in a
coherent manner. The
work has a clear structure
and good sense of
proportion.

Modest control of several

musical parameters in
the construction of
musical materials/
gestures and these are
developed with some
effectiveness in a wellheard manner. There is
a discernible musical
structure.

A basic technical control

of a limited number of
musical parameters and
some aural awareness.
There is evidence of
some attempt to
articulate structure.

The control of musical

parameters and aural
awareness is insufficient
to delineate musical
materials. There is little or
no evidence of structure.

Use of
instrumental/electroacoustic
resources

A consummate knowledge
of the instrumental/vocal/
electroacoustic resources
employed, an acute
sensitivity to the invention,
shaping and combination of
sounds and strong practical
awareness.

The use of instrumental/

vocal/electroacoustic
resources employed is
good, demonstrating a
strong command of the
relevant medium in the
shaping of sounds and is
sympathetic to practical
issues.

The use of the

instrumental/vocal/
electroacoustic
resources employed is
competent, exploring
timbral combinations with
some effectiveness and
acknowledgement of
practical issues.

The use of the

instrumental/vocal/
electroacoustic
resources employed is
limited but demonstrates
a basic control and
understanding of the
relevant medium.

Inadequate understanding
of the relevant medium
such that the use of
instrumental/vocal/
electroacoustic resources
is misjudged, unidiomatic
and/or impractically
conceived.

Presentation, notation and

copying (as appropriate)

Professional (or very near

professional) standard in
the production of scores,
parts and/or audio outputs.
Notation (where
appropriate) demonstrates
an accomplished level of
professional literacy and
thorough attention to detail.
Superb practical
consideration in the
preparation of any
performance materials.

Good standard in the

production of scores, parts
and/or audio outputs.
Notation (where
appropriate) is clear,
literate, and communicates
all the necessary
information. Any
performance material is
appropriate and practical.

The production of
scores, parts and or
audio outputs is
adequate. Notation
(where appropriate) is
adequate in providing
most of the essential
information, but further
attention to detail and
quality is required.
Performance material is
adequate.

The standard of scores,

parts and/or audio
outputs is low, providing
only the basic means
necessary for a
realization in
performance. Notation
(where appropriate)
communicates some
relevant information and
a basic level of literacy,
but requires much
greater attention to
detail. Performance
material requires
significant revision.

The production of scores,

parts and/or audio outputs
is of an unacceptable
standard. Notation
(where appropriate)
displays significant
shortcomings in terms of
literacy and inadequate
attention to detail.
Performance material
may be unfit for purpose.

SAHC grade descriptors for Composition

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20-29% Fail
A composition that seriously fails to fulfil the criteria for a third-class mark at the appropriate level (e.g. serious shortfall in quality, absence of material or
information, significant errors or misjudgements, or standards of presentation/notation that are so low that the musical intention is severely impinged).
The composition fails to address the set task and shows no sign of relevant technical skills or understanding of the issues involved.
10-19%
A composition that suffers from the above shortcomings to a more extreme degree.
5-9%
A composition that falls very seriously short of the requirements of the set task and very little effort
0-4%
A composition that entirely fails to address the set task.

SAHC grade descriptors for Composition

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