| Music
178: Computer Skills for Musicians -- music majors only (taught every quarter) This course is designed to teach music majors the basics of how to use computers for music-related tasks they will encounter throughout their studies and their careers: MIDI sequencing, music notation, digital audio recording. Music notation, using Finale software is a major component of this class. Attendance Policy: required -- and included as part (ca. 7%) of class grade. Course Content and Grading: Lab projects will consititute the bulk of the work, with students completing several small-scale projects and one Final Project to demonstrate their mastery of basic skills covered in this course. There is one quiz (worth ca. 13% of class grade). Primary Software: Digital Performer (MIDI sequencing and digital audio), Finale, Band-in-a-Box, Garage Band. Music 178A: Computer Skills for Musicians -- open to all majors (taught every quarter) The primary function of this course is to teach music minors and non-major musicians the basics of how to use computers for music-related tasks: primarily MIDI sequencing, digital audio. This section does not cover music notation software. Instead, there is considerably more attention paid to digital audio. Attendance Policy: required -- and included as part (ca. 7%) of class grade. Course Content and Grading: Lab projects will consititute the bulk of the work, with students completing several small-scale projects and one Final Project to demonstrate their mastery of basic skills covered in this course. There is one quiz (worth ca. 13% of class grade). Primary Software: Digital Performer (MIDI sequencing and digital audio), Band-in-a-Box, Garage Band. Music 413 (& 513): -- prereq. Music 178/178A (or graduate standing) (taught winter quarter only) This course is designed to give an overview of the history of electronic music (including representative musical compositions), a solid background understanding of its technology and terminology, and “hands on” experience with the equipment and software available in the lab. Attendance Policy: none Course Content and Grading: Three exams account for 75% of the class grade (each one is worth 25%). Three lab projects account for a total of 25% of the class grade. Music 415 (515): -- prereq. Music 178/178A (or graduate standing) in addition, Music 413 (or 513) is suggested. (taught spring quarter only) This course primarily deals with software other than MIDI sequencing and multi-track digital audio applications (i.e. Digital Performer, Pro Tools, etc.). Lately nearly all the class material and class projects deal with Max/MSP software from Cycling'74. Attendance Policy: class participation is a component of class grade. Course Content and Grading: The primary aspect of the course involves designing and programming your own software -- using Max/MSP from Cycling'74. Lab projects will consititute the bulk of the work, with students completing several small-scale projects and one final project to demonstrate their mastery of basic skills covered in this course. Note: Though it is designed to follow and build on material from Music 178/178A & Music 413, students who are primarily interested in working on projects using MIDI sequencing and multi-track digital audio software programs (and knowledge gained in previous classes) would probably be happier enrolling in an independent project course such as Music 416 (see below). Music 416 (& 516): -- prereq. Music 178/178A (or graduate standing) (taught every quarter) Note: This course can be taken twice for full academic credit This course is designed to give students an opportunity to work independently in the MIDI Lab; to apply skills and techniques learned in Music 178/178A, 413, 415, and elsewhere toward the realization of a creative electronic music or digital audio project. You are to work at your own speed on a project of your own design. You are encouraged to seek feedback during the quarter, especially if you are having difficulty, or are unsure if you are on the right track. You can set up an appointment either in person or through email or with notes left on my door. At the end of the quarter you will submit a CD containing the best ten-minutes (or more) of the work you created during the quarter. Attendance Policy: none Course Content and Grading: Course grade is entirely based on projects submitted. Letter grades (A-F) are not issued for this course. Students receive a CR (Credit Received) for a successful project. |
| Composition Course
numbers -- which course
number is right for
you. NOTE: All composition courses below assume a solid understanding of music notation and music theory. All assignments and projects involve written music notation. Music 308: Composition for non-majors -- prereq. Music 203, or permission. (taught every quarter; can be taken up to 6 times for credit) Because of the emphasis on written music notation, most, but not all, students who enroll in this class are in fact music majors. Permission is typically granted to music majors who are interested in becoming composition majors or have demonstrated significant talent, but who have not reached the junior standing in music theory (required for enrollment in Music 309). Permission to enroll may also be granted to non-music majors with considerable training in music and demonstrated experience and skill with music notation. Music 309: Composition for majors -- prereq. Music 203 and acceptance into the music composition major degree program. (taught every quarter; can be taken up to 6 times for credit) Music 508: Composition for non-majors -- graduate students only (taught every quarter) Because of the emphasis on written music notation, most, but not all, students who enroll in this class are in fact music majors, but not music composition majors. Permission to enroll may be granted to non-music students majors with considerable training in music and demonstrated experience and skill with music notation. Music 509: Composition for majors -- graduate degree composition majors only (taught every quarter) |