AUTHORING YOUR STATEMENT OF COMPOSITIONAL

INTENT
What is a Statement of Compositional Intent?
An explanation of how and why you have used music elements and concepts in
your film score composition.
Why do I need to write a Statement of Compositional Intent?
Writing a statement helps the audience understand of context and purpose behind
the musical features of your composition. It is a way of helping to communicate the
meaning behind your music.
Music elements:
Duration Pitch Form Texture Timbre Expressive Devices
Other:
Style and genre Inspiration Meaning Purpose Context
How do I write a Statement of Compositional Intent?
In your statement, you need to:
 write in first person (e.g. “I used…”)
 write in full sentences and paragraphs
 use music terminology where possible
 analyse and explain how you used music elements and concepts in your
composition
 evaluate how your choices have communicated your intended meaning
When you write your statement of compositional intent, you will demonstrate the
following processes:
Explain – when you explain, you present descriptions and reveal relevant facts of
the use of music elements and concepts to communicate meaning in composition
Analyse – when you analyse, you dissect and identify the different parts of the
music (music elements) in order to find meaning, similarities and differences
Evaluate – make a judgement about how your musical choices have communicated
meaning in your composition

Structuring your Statement of Compositional Intent:

Tips
Introduction:
State the title of the film, the purpose of your composition, your intended narrative (i.e. your storyline)
and mood for the film.

Body:
This is the analysis & evaluation section. Discuss your manipulation of key musical elements in relation to
different parts of your score. What choices have you made for each motif? You won’t be able to go into
elaborate detail of everything, so choose the most prominent features. There will be overlaps.

PITCH (toneset, melodic contour, consonance & dissonance)

DURATION (time signature, rhythm)
TIMBRE (sounds, instrumentation)
and
EXPRESSIVE DEVICES (tempo, dynamics, articulation, other special techniques or digital effects)
Conclusion:
Link back to the introduction and reiterate your evaluation. Restate the key point from your body.