PERFORMING ARTS TECHNOLOGY

Fall semester 2008

Introduction to Computer Music (PAT 201/401/501), 3 cr. hrs.                                                       Staff
Graduate students elect PAT 501.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
This course is an introduction to electronic musical instruments, MIDI, and digital audio systems. Students create several original compositions for presentation and discussion. The aesthetics of electroacoustic composition are discussed through study of selected repertoire.

Digital Music Ensemble (PAT 403), 1–2 cr. hrs.                                                                          Prof. Rush
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
The Digital Music Ensemble (DME) is a technology-based interdisciplinary performance troupe that collaborates in the creation and performance of new works of art or performs historically innovative works. DME uses methods of open-ended critical inquiry to challenge meaning in the creation, realization, and performance of art. The fall semester is usually focused on readings concerning the Labyrinth tradition in many cultures, culminating in the recurring work "Gypsy Pond Music," a sonic, site-specific installation involving sculpture and algorithmic computer music.

Music and Media I (PAT 441/541), 3 cr. hrs.                                                                            Prof. Kirshner
Graduate students elect PAT 541.
Prerequisites: PAT 221, PAT 331, and PAT 461; or permission of instructor.
This course is a project-oriented exploration of the relationship between moving images and sound produced with the aid of technology, with a particular emphasis on digital video. Students add sound to pre-existing time-based images and capture, construct, and process original images. The course includes critiques of videos made by artists and scenes from films.

Computer Music Programming I (PAT 451/551), 3 cr. hrs.                                                    Prof. Moorefield
Graduate Students elect PAT 551.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students study various algorithms for computer-enhanced performance and composition with an emphasis on real-time and interactive systems. The course includes the study of several historical and current algorithmic compositions.

Digital Sound Synthesis I (PAT 461/561), 3 cr. hrs.                                                   (Sec. 001) Prof. Simoni
                                                                                                                                        (Sec. 002) Prof. Furr
Graduate students elect PAT 561.
Prerequisite: MATH 105 and permission of instructor.
An introduction to digital sound synthesis, signal processing theory, and psychoacoustics with an emphasis on sound design and composition. Students demonstrate theoretical mastery and aural recognition of additive synthesis, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, waveshaping synthesis, and subtractive synthesis.

Media Arts (PAT 510), 3 cr. hrs.                                                                                                Prof. Kirshner
The course details the theory and practice of music technology, interactive art forms that use technology, models of human computer interaction, and digital video and animation. Students will perform analyses of contemporary works in the media arts from aesthetic, production, technological, and artistic points of view. Students will examine the roles in the collaborative process.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration I (PAT 512), 3 cr. hrs.                                                                 Prof. Rush
Students form teams to realize computer-based multimedia works that integrate technology, music, sound, art, and moving image. Students analyze the work as individuals and as members of a group. The analysis details aspects of the design, role development, collaboration, aesthetic goal, artistic statement, production values, and the role of technology in the creative process.

Computer Music Composition and Arranging (PAT 521), 2 cr. hrs.                                         Prof. Santos
Techniques in music composition using advanced MIDI systems and computer music notation programs. The course emphasizes orchestration techniques with multi-channel MIDI capabilities. Students produce at least one original composition.

Winter semester 2008   

Micro-Computers & Music (PAT 201/401/501),  3 cr. hrs.                                                         Prof. Furr

Graduate students elect PAT 501                                                                                                                                         

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 

Instruction in the use of microcomputers and synthesizers with MIDI; study of MIDI digital audio, music sequencing, and notation software.  Students are expected to create several arrangements or compositions.

Computer Music Composition and Arranging (PAT 221/521),  3 cr. hrs.                                                         

Graduate students elect PAT 521.                                                         Sec. 1 Prof. Santos/Sec. 2 Prof. Furr

Techniques in music composition using advanced MIDI systems and digital audio systems. Emphasizes orchestration

and compositional  techniques using multichannel software.  Students produce original compositions.

Digital Music Ensemble (PAT 403),  1-2 cr. hrs.                                                                           Prof. Rush

Provides opportunities to perform original and standard repertory compositions by composing or arranging works for

MIDI instruments, including keyboard synthesizers, samplers, MIDI wind controllers, and MIDI percussion.

Directed Individual Study (PAT 507),  1-3 cr. hrs.                                                                             Faculty

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor or departmental approval.

Students receive individual instruction, consultation, and guidance from the instructor. Course emphasis is on developing

individual research skills, culminating in a final project or paper.

Music and Media II (PAT 442/542),  2 cr.  hrs.                                                                         Prof. Kirshner

Graduate students elect PAT 542.

Prerequisite: PAT 451or permission of instructor. 

This course is intended, chiefly, for students in Film and Video Studies, Art and Design, and Music, but will be open to anyone with relevant experience in some aspect of traditional or new media production (e.g., sound, music, video, graphics, animation, writing, programming),   Using a collaborative approach and working in small groups, students will engage in a number of sound and image experiments designed to encourage the creation of hybrid media works.  Ideally, students will conceive of sound, text, music,

and images synthetically, and will develop them into a cohesive form in which no element is treated as secondary.

Meeting once a week, students will gather for discussions, screenings, listening sessions, demonstrations, presentations,

and critiques of their colleagues’ works.  Readings on the subject of New Media and its cultural/social/political/historical context will

be assigned.

The final creative projects will likely be quite diverse in structure, theme, and mode of presentation.  Final projects will be presented in a mini-festival, open to the public. 

Computer Music Programming II (PAT 452/552),  3 cr. hrs.                                               Prof. Moorefield

Graduate students elect PAT 552.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 

A continuation of Digital Sound Synthesis I with emphasis and analysis/resynthesis methods in music composition and digital

signal processing.

Digital Sound Synthesis II (PAT 462/562), 3 cr. hrs.                                                                 Prof. Simoni

Graduate students elect PAT 562.

Prerequisite: 561.

A continuation of PAT 561.  Techniques covered include speck synthesis, formant synthesis, cross synthesis, linear prediction coding, phase vocoding, wavelets, granular synthesis, physical modeling, convolution, reverberation, and auditory localization.

Musical Acoustics (PAT 472/572), 3 cr. hrs.                                                                                Prof. Corey

Graduate students elect PAT 572.

Prerequisite: PAT 331 and Music Theory 240. 

An introduction to the principles of acoustics and psychoacoustics that is relevant to the recording engineer and music technologist.  Topics include perception and measurement of sound, room acoustics, and the acoustics of musical instruments and the human voice.