An introduction to live ensemble performance with synthesizers and electronic processing devices, group composition, and rehearsal of new electronic works. Outside work will include composition and arranging studies in the first part of the quarter, and small group rehearsals with classmates in the latter part of the quarter. There will be a final in-house performance at the end of the quarter, and a public concert on January 15, 2014.
The class will work together as a team to produce a concert of electronic chamber music. Students will form several sub-ensembles to develop and rehearse individual pieces. Each student will be responsible for the production of a certain amount of music for the concert. Thus, each student has individual responsibilities, small group responsibilities, and team responsibilities.
- Each individual student will develop a repertoire of interesting sounds with one or more electronic instruments and/or sound processing devices, and will practice with that instrument enough to be a capable performer with those sounds.
- Each individual student will be responsible for producing at least four to five minutes of music. In this context, "producing" means "making it happen", by some combination of composing, enlisting the help of others, improvising, rehearsing, and planning for its presentation in the performance.
- Each individual will participate in ensembles with others to help them realize their pieces, and will devote enough practice time in order to do well in those ensembles.
- As members of performance ensembles, we're all equally responsible for the success of the performance of the pieces we're involved in, just as we would be in any chamber ensemble.
- As members of the production team for the concert, we're all equally responsible for the artistic success of the concert, and will commit to helping with all of the tasks that the production requires: composing, rehearsing, publicity, concert planning and direction, technical setup and teardown, and performance.
So to summarize, the course requirements are to be the primary producer of about 5 minutes of the musical content of the concert, to be a helpful and competent member of the ensembles in which you perform, and to be an active participant in the production of the complete concert. Specific ensemble and production assignments will be developed as needed in the course of the quarter. In addition to the two weekly hours of class time, students should expect to spend an average of four hours per week working outside of class time.
For additional consultation with the professor, students are welcome to make an appointment for office hours if needed.
Assignments are posted online for the upcoming class session.
If needed, there is a class email address, which addresses all registered students and the professor.
If you have a disability that inhibits you from performing any of the stated requirements of this course, as approved and documented by the UCI Disability Services Center, please ensure that the professor is thoroughly aware of the matter as early in the term as possible.
Collaboration and exchange of ideas between students in this course is strongly encouraged, and is in fact crucial. Students are urged to exchange ideas and techniques in class and in rehearsals. However, each student is responsible for completion of his/her own assignments and musical composition. Plagiarism is in direct violation of the UCI policy on Academic Honesty, and penalties for plagiarism can be severe. In this class you will be expected to attribute due credit to the originator of any ideas of others that you incorporate into your own work.
This page was last modified September 21, 2013.
Christopher Dobrian, dobrian@uci.edu