Music Composition Project

MCO4802.01
Course System Home Terms Spring 2026 Music Composition Project

Course Description

Summary

This is a course for composers who have taken composition courses previously and have good notation skills.  Enrollment is limited to 10 students. Each student will produce a sizable piece for String Quartet. The class time will be used for analysis and study of works composed for string quartet and for examination of the student鈥檚 works-in-progress. There will be a preliminary reading session over zoom of the pieces in progress, and the course will culminate  in a class presentation and a recording of the completed works when the guest ensemble, the Cassatt Quartet, is on campus in early May. In the final weeks, we will do one short additional composition.

Learning Outcomes

  • Completion of an extended composition that is worked on over a two month period
  • Increased fluency with music notation
  • Greater familiarity with string instruments and with the repertoire for String Quartet

Prerequisites

Previous composition study and good notation skills
Permission of the instructor. If you are interested please submit work and contact Allen Shawn.

Please contact the faculty member : ashawn@bennington.edu

Instructor

  • Allen Shawn

Day and Time

WE 10:00am-11:50am

Delivery Method

Fully in-person

Length of Course

Full Term

Academic Term

Spring 2026

Area of Study

Credits

2

Course Level

4000

Maximum Enrollment

10

Course Frequency

Every 2-3 years