Courses

Through a lecture-workshop format, this course focuses on composing music with selected techniques of the second half of the 20th and 21st century composition. Techniques such as minimalism, microtonality, spectralism, new complexity, extended techniques, graphic scores, and others will be discussed through diverse repertoire and sources. Weekly composition projects related to each of these techniques will be assigned and may be read by a chamber music ensemble.

Discussion of string instruments, their special effects, and proper notation. Principles of string orchestration and voicing techniques.

The course will focus on the acquisition of skills with technological tools for the creation of professional composition portfolios. Production of publication-ready scores and parts using Finale or Sibelius notation software will be emphasized, including nonstandard notation. Basic audio editing techniques will also be presented to create demonstration recordings.

Approaches to composition using ideas and aesthetic principles from a variety of non-Western musical traditions. Explorations of diverse concepts of rhythm, melody, timbre, and form as heard in the music of Africa, Asia, India, and South America. Assignments will include a substantial composition illustrating these principles.

This course will prepare students to effectively score music for full symphony orchestra. A detailed study of relevant repertoire is used, alongside orchestration and arranging of the instruments and families of the symphony orchestra. Students will be responsible for weekly writing assignments, including orchestration of piano and chamber music as well as original compositions.

A practical course for conductors and music directors in preparation, organization, rehearsal, and recording under studio conditions. Emphasis on establishing fluency in conducting and rehearsal techniques to maximize efficiency in the session.

Rehearsing and recording to picture with live performers under studio conditions. Focus on preparation, efficiency, and accurate synchronization.

The course focuses on analysis and writing of three- and four-voice imitative counterpoint based on traditional fugue models. Students study and analyze representative examples from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, as well as other works of the literature.

Alternative approaches and concepts to writing that can be used in various aspects of songwriting, arranging, and composing for contemporary broadcast media, such as film and TV scores, that will supplement other writing approaches. Using compositional concepts pioneered by George Tremblay and Jack Smalley, the course explores writing techniques based on the use of the 12-tone row concept and the process of extracting consonant melodic components from the rows that are then applied to writing for contemporary musical styles and forms and commercial clients. Some writing projects will be realized through sequencing and live performance.

This course is a study of multitrack mixdown in a digital audio workstation environment, specifically for the needs of modern film and television scoring in a project studio. Balance and context of a mix are explored, and special consideration is given to genre-appropriate sound. In addition to aesthetic and technical concerns, people skills and delivery to specifications (including stem mixes and session interchange between DAWs) are emphasized. Mix material will be drawn from the student's own film scoring projects from other courses, and/or film scoring sessions from other composers.

This course explores the technical and aesthetic aspects of composing and recording music for documentaries, television, and feature films using both sequencers and sequencers combined with live players. Compositional topics include analysis of a given scene from a film composer’s perspective, creation, and development of themes, and use of form, orchestration, dynamics, and other compositional tools to enhance a particular scene. Technical aspects of scoring covered include topics related to studio production: proper preparation of Pro Tools sessions, score and parts preparation, and conducting and production techniques in a recording studio environment.

As a continuation of SCRN-240 and FILM-207, this course deepens a composer's experience with orchestral textures and timbres as dramatic storytelling tools. This course connects the screen with composing music that enhances the audience experience.