Music24
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[edit] Syllabus: Music 24 version 0.1
Introduction to Composition of Electroacoustic Music
Dartmouth College, Spring, 2009
Instructor: Spencer Topel
Teaching assistant: Patrick Barter
[edit] Overview
This course introduces students to the composition of electroacoustic/digital music through listening and creating. Individual/team participation is mandatory. Each student will be evaluated on how well they work with others during the team projects and also on their final pieces. Additional objectives include introduction to analysis, live-electronics, physical modeling, video works, and interactive systems.
Prior experience from Music 5, 103 or equivalent is necessary to take this course.
[edit] Schedule of Meetings
Classes are twice a week during the 2A periods on Tuesday and Thursday 2:00P – 4:00P
Section studio classes with Patrick Barter will be held during the X-HOUR on Wednesday 4:15P– 5:20P. Attendance is mandatory.
[edit] Required Texts
Cox, Christopher. Audio Culture: Readings in Modern Music ISBN# 0826416152
Young, Rob. Undercurrents: The Hidden Wiring of Modern Music ISBN# 0826464505
[edit] Media Lists
Since MUSIC 24 includes both written and sonic media, you will be expected to read and listen to materials listed on the media lists. There are four lists and each list corresponds to quizzes and discussions. It will be apparent from class activity who is current on the media lists and who is not. Additional readings may be assigned throughout the term, but will not appear on the tests. A list of these materials can be found on the last sheet of this page or on the digital musics wiki page:[1]
[edit] Quizzes and Tests
For the most part, grading will come from the quality of the projects. However, there will a listening/reading quiz every two weeks to maintain a good schedule with the literature. The dates of these quizzes are below:
Media List I ~ Tuesday April 14
Media II ~ Tuesday April 28
Media III ~ Tuesday May 12
Media IV ~ Tuesday May 26
[edit] Section Projects and Final Performance Project
Project I ~ Due April 16th 2009
Compose a short work (no longer than 6 min.) for either electronics alone or for performer (other than yourself) and electronics. The pieces may be written for solo violin, percussion, or a performer that has agreed to play your work (with permission of instructor).
Quality, completeness, and originality will be the factors considered in grading.
Project II ~ Due April 30th 2009
In formed teams, you will attempt to solve a contemporary digital musics problem or aesthetic issue. You will be given two weeks to put together a reasonable solution or attempted solution with justification as to why a solution could not be reached.
You will be graded on team dynamics, thoroughness, and participation.
Final Performance Project (Project III) ~ Due May 21th 2009
The culmination of the class will be in the last project(III). This will take the place of a final exam and must present a compelling idea or composition. The guidelines will be decided between the instructor and yourself and/or your group. It can take any number of forms including, but not limited to: individual compositions, group compositions or improvisations, analysis presentations, networked-performances, video pieces, etc.
The direction a particular project will take is largely individual, though attention will be given to clarity of ideas, creativity, and completeness.
Your work on this project will be presented at the MUSIC 24 Final Concert. Time and Place, TBA, though I am looking at Thursday, May 28th 2009 as the possible concert date. This will give us one week to refine the final projects due a week earlier.
[edit] Grading
Grades are based on listening quizzes (15%) first analysis project (15%) second group project (20%) and the Final Performance Project (40%). The final 10% is based on attendance, effort and class participation.
[edit] Statement on Physically and Learning Disabled Students
Students with disabilities enrolled in this course who may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see me before the second week of the term. All discussions will remain confidential, although the Student Accessibility Services office may be consulted to discuss appropriate implementation of an accommodation requested.
[edit] Student Religious Observances
Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term. If you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please meet with me before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.
[edit] Office Hours
T, W, TH 1P. My office is in the top floor of Hallgarten Hall. Ring the bell outside if you forget the password. Hallgarten is between New Hampshire and Topliff dorms. Please contact me or Rebecca Fawcett (on blitzmail) if you need help finding the building or with access issues.
[edit] Media List I
Reading
Undercurrents
Penman, Ian. On the Mic
Davis, Erik. Recording Angels
Young, Rob. Slapping Pythagoras
Audio Culture
Varese, Edgard. ‘‘The Liberation of Sound’’ p.17
Pierre Schaeffer, ‘‘Acousmatics’’ p.76
Eno, Brian. ‘‘The Studio as Compositional Tool’’ p.127
Listening
Iannis Xenakis – Polytope de Cluny (1972) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iklDWi1-HLA
Karlheinz Stockhausen – Helicopter String Quartet, (excerpt 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13D1YY_BvWU&feature=related
Charles Dodge - Any Resemblance is Purely Coincidental (1980) http://artofthestates.org/cgi-bin/piece.pl?pid=37
Fiona Apple- don't sleep to dream (1996) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuyVj8IOPg
Edgard Varèse - Poème électronique (1958) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQKyYmU2tPg
[edit] Media List II
Reading
Undercurrents
Hollings, Ken. The Solar Myth Approach
Toop, David. Humans, Are They Really Necessary?
Pouncey, Edwin. Rock Concrete
Audio Culture
McClary, Susan. ‘‘Rap, Minimalism, and Structures of Time in Late Twentieth-Century Culture’’ p.289
Reich, Steve. ‘‘Music as a Gradual Process’’ p.304
Listening
William Basinski – Evening Scars http://www.last.fm/music/William+Basinski/_/Evening+Scars
Pierre Schaeffer - Etude Aux Chemins De Fer (1948) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9pOq8u6-bA
Dimitri Subochev: SUBCULT - Hex (2002) http://www.myspace.com/musicelectronic
Larsen Lombriki http://www.myspace.com/larsenlombriki – Business Trip (200?)
Brian McBride – Silent Motels http://www.last.fm/music/Brian+McBride/_/Silent+Motels
[edit] Media List III
Reading
Undercurrents
Pouncey, Edwin. Rock Concrete
Audio Culture
Marshall McLuhan, ‘‘Visual and Acoustic Space’’ p.67
Iain Chambers, ‘‘The Aural Walk’’ p.98
Listening Kevin Ernste – Birches (2004)
Juraj Kojs – At and Across (2008) http://www.kojs.net/AtAndAcross/A&A.mp3
Pierre Boulez- Anthèmes II (1999, electronic version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_x4cKIXgo
Steve Reich - Pendulum Music (1968/73) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6r3HDn6wFU
Andrew Bird – Imatosis (200?) Andrew http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird
[edit] Media List IV
Reading
Undercurrents
Cowley, Julian. The Limits of Language
Hamilton, Andy. The Music of Chance
Audio Culture
Zorn, John.‘‘The Game Pieces’’ p.196
Karlheinz Stockhausen, ‘‘Electronic and Instrumental Music’’ p. 370
Karlheinz Stockhausen et al., ‘‘Stockhausen vs. the ‘Technocrats’ ’’ p. 381
Listening
Luc Ferrari - Presque rien avec filles (1983)
Alvin Lucier - I Am Sitting In A Room (1970)
Luciano Berio- Omaggio a Joyce (1955)
John Cage- Imaginary Landscape No. 4 (March No. 2) (1951)
soonmoonsoon – hip hop stuff http://www.myspace.com/soonmoonsoon
The Psychoparanoidflowerpowerelectroshitcompany - Real Rockstar (2005) http://www.myspace.com/thepsychoparanoidflowerpowerelectroshitcompany
Brian Eno- Music for Airports (1978)
