Course Description:
A vibrant tradition of composing for and with technology has arisen from within the music academy around the world. Composers working in this tradition frequently stretch our conceptions of musical material, form, and development to create uniquely meaningful sonic experiences. In this course we examine theoretical and practical aspects of the study of Composition for Electronic Media.
Students taking this course for the first time will be instructed based on their prior experience level with Computer Music Software and Music Composition. Students without prior Computer Music Experience will first be coached on the use and manipulation of recorded material in Computer Music Composition. Next, students will be coached on the use of sound synthesis and digital synthesizers in large scale music composition. If students continue with the study of Music Composition for Electronic Media topics such as Surround Sound Spatialization, Immersive Audio, Audio Visual Intermedia, Algorithmic Composition, Acoustic Electronic Music Integration among other topics will be covered. Those students with a great deal of experience will be pushed outside their comfort zone with personal challenges tailored to music we listen to and study over the course of the semester as well as the student's personal interest.
The course also seeks to involve the student in the presentation of computer music through the organization of concerts of computer music during the semester. There will be special concerts at the end of the semester produced by the students in the class (with instructor supervision) featuring works by students in the class. Each student will be expected to take part in the organization, production, and setup/takedown involved in the concert. Additional special chances to place computer music in the public arena will be undertaken by the class when the opportunity arises.
Course Objectives
The goals of this course are:
- To learn to use solfège while singing and listening to music
- To learn to identify meters and rhythms by ear, along with basic conducting patterns
- To learn to identify intervals, triads, and seventh chords (including inversions) by ear
- To learn basic rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation (diatonic melodies and harmonies)
- To learn the basics of sight-singing
- To learn basic keyboard skills
