MUS 181 and 184

Computer Music II/ Electronic Ensemble

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• MUS 181/184 has two main areas of focus – one is composition and the other is music technology. Students are expected to participate equally in both aspects of the class.

• Completing weekly reading and composition assignments.

• Students are also responsible for “hands-on” lab quizzes.

• Students are expected to compose at least one substantial musical composition, a series of shorter compositions , and/or create synthetic/MIDI renditions of existing pieces.

• All students are expected to participate in the Concert Hour Performance (5/6) and in the end-of-the-semester concert (5/6). Same day as Concert Hour, at 8PM.

• Three lab hours per week are required, and more are recommended.

REQUIRED READING:

MacQueen, Colin and Albanese, Steve. Pro Tools Power! Muska and Lipman Publishing, 2002.

SUGGESTED READING:

Persichetti, Vincent. Twentieth Century Harmony. W.W. Norton and Company.

Edstrom, Brent. Making Music With Your Computer, Second Edition. EM Books, 2001, (artistpro.com) LLC). ISBN 0-87288-744-8.

Dodge, Charles and . Jerse, Thomas A. Computer Music: Synthesis, Composition and Performance. Second edition. New York: Macmillan Library, 1997.

Gibson, Bill. Audio Pro Home Recording Course, Volumes I and II. Hal Leonard Corporation.

This class is intended to be equal parts fun and hard work. You may work with me on an individually designed project (such as scoring music for a video game, for example), or do a traditional composition project. Your grade is based on attendance, completed lab hours, effort, general participation and regular completion of work, and participation in the concerts.

GRADING:

Attendance and class participation ------------------------------------------------- 20%

Weekly assignments ----------------------------------------------------------------- 20%

Lab Quizzes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20%

Concert Participation/Final Composition Project -------------------------------- 40%

Week 1

Introduction

Week 2

Melody to go with a film, poem, lyrics, book, dance, or video game.

Introduction to Pro Tools

Week 3

LAB QUIZ ONE

Intro to scale materials

File Management in Pro Tools

Week 4

PROJECT PROPOSAL DUE

Scoring for film and other media

Basic Recording Techniques

Week 5

LAB QUIZ TWO

Introduction to intervals

Basic Editing in Pro Tools

Week 6

Theme and Variations

Mixing and EQ theory

Week 7

LAB QUIZ THREE

Theme and Variations continued

Mixing and EQ theory continued

Week 8

Use of leitmotivs in music

FIRST DRAFT OF FINAL PROJECT DUE

Week 9

LAB QUIZ FOUR

Chord construction and progression

Effects processing

Week 10

LAB QUIZ FIVE

Chord construction and progression continued

Effects processing continued

Week 11

Composition using an ostinato

Panning and stereo imaging

Week 12

SECOND DRAFT OF FINAL PROJECT DUE

LAB QUIZ SIX

Scale materials revisited

Sound synthesis

Week 13

Preparation for concert/final project

Week 14

Preparation for concert/final project

Week 15

Preparation for concert/final project

Week 16

Work on final projects