COMP 350 - Composition Seminar

Semester Offered: First and Second Semester
FC
Credits: 4 Credits
Attribute: CNDP

What roles does quotation play in musical creation? How can a creative musician utilize quotation in their own work? What are a musician’s methods for gathering quoted material? What is their purpose in using that material? How do they employ, alter, vary, or obscure their quotation? What musical, cultural, political, and economic tensions are created by such acts? These are the questions asked by this course through inspection of topics including sampling in recent electronic music and hip-hop, arrangement and style quotation by orchestral composers and rock bands, transcription and mimicry of “non-musical” sound across several genres, and more. Repertoire will primarily be drawn from 20th and 21st century artists from an array of traditions. Special attention will be given to the methods and techniques used by musicians in creating work that employs quotation. As such, in addition to the usual listenings, readings, and major writing assignments, we will take a hands on approach to the material by creating our own remixes, transcriptions, arrangements, and other works that incorporate quotation and borrowing. The course is open to all Composition and TIMARA majors, as well as students in other disciplines by instructor consent.
Enrollment Limit: 20
Instructor: A. Helgeson, J. Levine, T. Lopez
Consent of the Instructor Required: Yes
Prerequisites & Notes
COMP 204. May be repeated for credit.