Graduate Program

Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT), a new emphasis for Fall 2008

ICIT merges two existing emphases: 1) Composition and Technology and 2) Jazz Studies. > This is an innovative program seeking to break down traditional limitations of academic programs, focusing on contemporary modes of creative music making and the critical discourses surrounding them. In addition to the existing core faculty, we will be hiring two additional faculty specifically for ICIT within the next two years.

This new program will be taught by a core faculty whose work embraces diverse forms of music making, challenging conventional distinctions between classical composition, computer music, improvisation, and jazz. Students will receive close personal attention from faculty, and are encouraged to work on interdisciplinary projects. We seek students with a strong foundation who wish to develop new creative work integrating a wide range of contemporary music and ideas.

If you have questions or are interested in applying, please contact one of our core faculty (Akagi, Dobrian, or Dessen). We welcome your inquiries and proposals.

Coursework

1. First year seminar in Composition-Improvisation (12 units), taught by a different core faculty member each quarter
2. Second year individual composition lessons (12 units)
3. Computer Music Composition (4 units)
4. Computer Music Programming (4 units)
5. Critical Studies in Music Seminar (4 units)
6. Black Music Seminar (4 units)
7. Advanced Improvisational Harmony (4 units)
8. Open Improvisation (4 units)
9. Second year colloquium (4 units)
10. Seminar selected from Music 220 or 230, or comparable seminar in another department (4 units)

Additional electives may include seminars in analysis, history, contemporary music, performance ensembles, and any 100 or 200 level course in any department.

Thesis

All students are required to produce a capstone project of substantial original creative work such as a recital or other performance with appropriate recorded documentation. All students must also complete a written thesis detailing the conceptual and technical bases of their capstone project, placing their work in an historical and cultural context, and discussing relevant critical discourse in their field.