Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - CA 447 D100

Computer Music Composition (4)

Class Number: 12831

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) 347. Recommended: CMPT 001 or 110.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The theory and practice of digital techniques and computer systems as applied to sound synthesis and music composition. The course will consider the major types of hardware and software systems developed for music from 1955 to the present, and will discuss such issues as machine programmability, user interaction, acoustic models for sound synthesis, and compositional algorithms. Students will have the opportunity for practical compositional work. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 348 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 447 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

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

Create a musebot:
40%
• Musebots are musical agents that interact with other musebots to create music. You will create a musebot in MaxMSP that interacts with existing musebots (possibly with those of your classmates). Musebot templates can be found here: http://musicalmetacreation.org/musebots/musebot-getting-started/

Composition for multiple performers:
40%
• Create a compositions for the SFU Laptop Ensemble, in which you may or may not participate. It can involve improvisation, structured improvisation, or full composition, with or without a graphic/text score. The composition may or may not use custom-software.

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).

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