Expanded and invented instruments utilizing electronics, object preparations, field recordings, and non-traditional performance techniques will be used to develop unique sonic vocabularies. Working with the premise that any sound can be an instrument we will work collaboratively to share our sounds, our scores and various approaches to music making. This seminar will serve as a laboratory for experimentation with timbre, form, orchestration, notation strategies, activating architectural spaces, and musical perception. We will investigate how composers have used non-traditional instruments and unusual scoring techniques to communicate musical ideas. Weekly exercises and assignments will generate materials for performances and installations. Each student will develop their own catalogue of sounds and class projects will include pre-recorded compositions as well as a focus on live performance and improvisation. The class is open to all levels of serious-minded sound explorers wanting to participate in a rigorous, productive, critical, playful, supportive environment to exchange ideas. Previous experience with improvisation and composition is not required.
Learning Outcomes:
-Students will work to develop a personal vocabulary on their instrument and to gain a clearer understanding of how and when to deploy that vocabulary.
- Through listening and reflection, we hope to better identify individual strengths and weaknesses and understand how to use that analysis to further development as spontaneous composers.
-To gain responsibility for one’s actions within a creative collaborative environment
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites:
A paragraph indicating interest and experience to: nbrooke@bennington.edu.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
M 3:40PM-5:30PM & M 7:00PM-8:50PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Performance
Tags: Composition , improvisation , instruments , music , performance