Spring 2018 - CA 347 D100

Electroacoustic Music II (4)

Class Number: 12829

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 247.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced examination of the aesthetics, technology, and compositional approaches of electroacoustic music. Topics may include computer music programming, performance systems, compositional strategies and their relationship to technology, synthesis and processing techniques and the analysis of works. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 347 under its former title may take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 347 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Live electroacoustic performance. A detailed study of the historic and current systems and techniques, and their applications for actual performance. Students will use software built in MaxMSP, focusing upon musical performance, specifically ensemble interaction. Network performance, interaction strategies, controllers, interface design, and improvisation will all be explored in a practical environment of a laptop ensemble.

Grading

NOTES:

Grading / Assignments   In-class presentation,
10%
          
Due Week 4 (Tuesday January 23 & Thursday January 25)
 
•   In class presentation (approximately 10 minutes) on a topic related to EA performance. Can be based on articles from the following:
•   http://createdigitalmusic.com/
•   http://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/ 
•   http://www.sonic-terrain.com/ 
•   http://www.soundplusdesign.com/ 
•   http://acousmata.com/
•   or other blog or academic source.  

Ensemble performance (Net4Tet),
20%
          
Due Week 7 (Tuesday February 20)
 
•   Create a 3-5 minute work as an ensemble (3-4 performers) using Net4Tet. Can involve improvisation, structured improvisation, or full composition, with or without a graphic/text score.    

Solo or Duet Performance (Duet)                                           
20%
          
Due Week 10 (Tuesday March 13)
 
•   Create a 3-5 minute solo or duet between acoustic performer and laptop using Duet. This should be a “hands-off” performance, in which your interaction with the software must be via controllers and/or sensors.  

Final Performance / Ensemble Composition                        
20%
          
Performance Thursday, April 12
- Studio T  
•   Part 1: Participate in a work for the entire ensemble, created within the group. It could be fully notated, or improvisational; instruments could be networked, or independent. The software does not need to be created originally, and can use commercial software (Logic, Live) or existing Max patches (i.e. Net4Tet, Duet). The grade will be on the based upon both the artistic success of the work (60%) as well as the originality of the design and process (40%).
•   Part 2: Participate in a work for the entire ensemble, created by someone in FPA 447.  

Journal                                                                                    
 20%
          
Due after end of classes, Thursday April 19
 
•   Create a weekly journal entry discussing your thoughts on the topics raised in the course. The first few weeks will be - most likely - mainly about topics from our seminar discussions and presentations. Later entries should focus upon rehearsal and performance experiences, including thoughts on the software and the processes involved in creating the performances. Final paper should be approximately 2000 words (5-7 pages, double spaced).   Class

Participation / Attendance                                           
10%
 
•   A large portion of this course is centred around group projects, and attendance and participation within the group is essential. As such, attendance will form a portion of your final mark.

While all participants in group projects will initially receive the same grade, the individual mark will be adjusted to reflect group participation.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS