Unit information: Composing With Electronics in 2013/14

Unit name	Composing With Electronics
Unit code	MUSIM0027
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Farwell
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Music
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit develops knowledge of the wide-ranging options for the use of electronics in composition and performance and combines technical and aesthetic concerns, demonstrated through original compositions. The focus is on combining acoustic instrument(s) and/or voice(s) with live electronic resources, but other areas such as acousmatic composition, sound installation, and design of new performance interfaces will be studied according to student expertise and interests. The unit will also address questions of presentation, dissemination, portability and preservation for music that is dependent on rapidly-changing technical resources. Extensive foundational knowledge of studio composition is assumed, but if lacking can be made up by additional attendance in undergraduate and other graduate classes. A substantial element of individual study and compositional activity is expected, with these elements brought together in tutorial. The unit equips composers to include a substantial electronic component in their MA portfolio, and prepares them for further compositional research involving electronics.

Teaching Information

1 x 2hr session per week

Assessment Information

2 x 50% Project

Reading and References

• John R. Pierce The Science of Music Sound, rev. ed.(Scientific American Library, New York, 1992).

• Simon Emmerson, Living Electronic Music (Ashgate, 2007).

• Nicolas Collins Handmade Electronic Music (Routledge, “new ed” 2007)