Blain, MA., 2013.

Composition-as-research: Connecting Flights II for Clarinet Quartet - a research dissemination methodology for composers

In this article I consider the relationship between the making of a composition and the dissemination of its research insights for composers developing practice within academia, in the context of the UK Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)'s position on the dissemination of practice- led research. I reflect briefly on current practice in the arts in Higher Education more widely before going on to discuss the practice-as-research (PaR) initiative as a potential model for composer-researchers to develop methodologies for the dissemination of their work. Finally I discuss my recent composition, Connecting Flights II for Clarinet Quartet in an attempt to draw out the research insights emerging from the making of the work.