# Advanced Electroacoustic Music Composition

## Instructor

[**Dr. Ben Johansen**](https://www.baylor.edu/music/johansen)

## Course Format

This course is set up much like composition lessons: one-on-one lessons (at least one per week) focusing on your electronic music **Semester Project**.

## Required Attendance Outside of Scheduled Weekly Lesson

Student may complete their **Semester Project Presentation** during one of the following:

* regularly scheduled weekly lesson time (before an audience is more preferable)
* Composition Studio Concert (see the [composition syllabus](https://benjohansen.gitbook.io/comp/syllabus) for dates)
* a time outside of the regularly scheduled lesson time during a time in a location convenient for both the student and the MUS 4V09 instructor

## **Defining Electroacoustic Music**

[**New York City Electronic Music Festival (NYCEMF) definition**](https://nycemf.org/about-electroacoustic-music/)**:**

> Electroacoustic music is music whose sound incorporates electronic tools and instruments, including software, in its production or performance. Electroacoustic music often seeks to explore all the sonic possibilities of new technologies, and it includes both works performed live on stage and works created in the studio and played back in concert ...

[**Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) definition**](https://www.seamusonline.org/about/)**:** 

> Electro-Acoustic music is a term used to describe those musics which are dependent on electronic technology for their creation and/or performance.

## Composing Electroacoustic Music

Baylor Composition Area's ultimate mission is to help students develop their creative abilities to uniquely compose the music of the future (rather than just "learn the trade of composing"). MUS4203 begins with projects focusing on typical pedagogical electroacoustic works (a *musique concréte* piece, an interactive piece using Max, etc.) in order for students to develop timeless audio editing and manipulation techniques. By the time students take MUS4V09, they should be creating works that move the electroacoustic music world forward (rather than "treading water" in the *known* pool of electroacoustic possibilities). 

## Course Objective

Complete a **Semester Project**, goals of which must be determined and codified in detail by the second week of the semester using the form included in this syllabus. Your project must be completed and presented before an audience by the end of the semester.

{% content-ref url="mus4v09-semester-project-form" %}
[mus4v09-semester-project-form](https://benjohansen.gitbook.io/eacomp/mus4v09/mus4v09-semester-project-form)
{% endcontent-ref %}

I will assign **Small Projects** as seen fit to meet this goal. Projects can range from reading and listening assignments, to creativity building exercises.

## Grading

{% hint style="info" %}
Engage with technology. Take risks with technology. Search and be curious.
{% endhint %}

* 20% Small Projects
* 10% Semester Project Form (hard copy due the second week of the semester)
* 50% Semester Project
* 20% Semester Project Presentation

 Scale:

* A  = 96-100 
* A- = 90-95
* B+ = 87-89
* B  = 83-86
* B- = 80-82
* C+ = 77-79
* C  = 73-76
* C- = 70-72
* F  =  0-69

***

### Course Resources, Policies, & Statements (+ Attendance)

[`https://music.baylor.edu/composition/syllabi-resources`](https://music.baylor.edu/composition/syllabi-resources)


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