As the first major handbook to music composition in decades, this book is primarily aimed at students and practitioners in the area of composition, but the range of topics and genres covered by this book will appeal to academics and practitioners in complementary fields of contemporary music, sound art and creativity.

Contents; List of music examples; List of figures; List of tables; List of contributors; Introduction; Part I. Creative Processes: 1. Inspiration Howard Skempton; 2. Compositional unfolding Robert Saxton; 3. Out of one, many: aspects, relationships, and attitudes to linearity Kenneth Hesketh: 4. Instruments and invention Tonia Ko; 5. From sketch to score Julian Anderson; Part II. Technique(s): 6. Composing for ensemble Cheryl Frances-Hoad; 7. Composing for orchestra Roberto Sierra; 8. Composing for voice Toby Young; 9. Composing for choir David Bednall; 10. Composing for stage Nico Muhly; 11. Composing for the screen Debbie Wiseman; Part III. Styles, Conventions, and Issues: 12. Dots, squiggles, and words: notation in recent music Christopher Fox; 13. Sonorities and spectra Christian Mason and Jon Hargreaves; 14. Electronic composition: histories and affordances Lauren Redhead; 15. Transcultural composing Raymond Yiu; 16. Nothing new under the sun: composition as adaptation Cecilia Livingstone; 17. Composition and ecological listening Liza Lim; Part IV. Building a Career: 18. Finding your voice Eleanor Alberga; 19. Beyond the notes: how to tell your story, and who needs to know Naomi Belshaw; 20. Practical advice for emerging composers Hollie Harding and Toby Young; Further reading; Index.