Teaching and Learning Musical Composition at Universiti Sains Malaysia

This paper discusses the issues involved in the teaching and learning of musical composition in one of the universities in a country which is dominated by various ethnic and religious groups. The discussion warrants an overview of the historical backdrop of Malaysia, its people, heritage, and the resultant types of music. The paper will also trace the aims of music education in schools and in Universiti Sains Malaysia, the role of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and its outreach program, the effects of Western compositional styles, classical or popular, and the impact of Islamic influences, imported or homegrown, on music making. It will include a brief study of the musical preferences of Malaysian students