Syllabus
Columbia College Chicago
School of Audio and Music
1014 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605
Spring 2024: Fifteen Week Session
Course Information
Course Title: Digital Music Composition & Performance
Course Code: MUSC-228
Section Number: 01
Location: 1014 S. Michigan Avenue, Room 201 (The Digital Music Lab)
Schedule: Thursday, 3:30 PM - 6:20 PM
Course Description: This course develops the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for the creative use of technology in music composition and performance. Students will learn the basics of electro-acoustic music, object-oriented computer programming, psychoacoustics, and live and automated manipulation of audio as it relates to sound production and music composition. This course will give students an understanding of the technology essential to today’s composer/performer in a hands-on environment that emphasizes the immediate creative application of new knowledge.
Learning Outcomes: Through this course, students will:
- Develop a technical understanding of today’s digital tools that are essential to composers and performers
- Identify and reproduce a range of musical compositions and performances
- Apply intermediate musical concepts through musical composition and performances that utilize digital music technology
- Establish core music technology skills and workflows as related to composition and performance
- Cultivate an understanding of the employable skills involved in composing and performing music today
Instructor Information
Instructor: Daniel Dehaan
Preferred Name: Dr. Dan
Pronouns: he/him/his
Email: ddehaan@colum.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Required Text/Materials
Hardware
- A laptop that meets the current Audio/Music Tier Requirements (bring with you to each class)
- Wired Headphones (bring them with you to each class)
- Any adapters you need to connect your laptop to a USB-C cable and a standard HDMI cable (bring with you to each class)
- A MIDI Keyboard (for use at home)
Software
- A digital audio workstation (any DAW is fine; students in this course have used Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Reaper, Pro Tools, and Cubase)
- FMOD Studio and the Unity Editor (both free for students) for Projects 3 and 4
- Ableton Live (free trial is sufficient) for Project 5; Push 2 controllers are provided in the Digital Music Lab
Course Schedule
Each project runs three weeks, one week per phase: assessment, iteration, and implementation. Full details for each week are on the Course Hub.
| Week | Date | Project | Phase | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W01 | Jan 25 | P1: Ambient Music Bed | Assessment | Introductions, Syllabus, Sonic Identity |
| W02 | Feb 1 | P1: Ambient Music Bed | Iteration | Feedback on initial drafts |
| W03 | Feb 8 | P1: Ambient Music Bed | Implementation | Final feedback and delivery |
| W04 | Feb 15 | P2: Film Scene | Assessment | The Art and Business of Film Scoring |
| W05 | Feb 22 | P2: Film Scene | Iteration | Feedback on spotting & first cue |
| W06 | Feb 29 | P2: Film Scene | Implementation | Final feedback and delivery (stems) |
| W07 | Mar 7 | P3: Sound Design | Assessment | Game sound design |
| W08 | Mar 14 | P3: Sound Design | Iteration | Review SFX designs |
| W09 | Mar 21 | P3: Sound Design | Implementation | FMOD Studio + Unity integration |
| — | Mar 28 | — | Spring Break | — |
| W10 | Apr 4 | P4: Interactive Music | Assessment | Interactive music systems |
| W11 | Apr 11 | P4: Interactive Music | Iteration | Review music sketches |
| W12 | Apr 18 | P4: Interactive Music | Implementation | Final delivery and play-testing |
| W13 | Apr 25 | P5: Performance | Gather Ideas | Ableton Live & Push overview |
| W14 | May 2 | P5: Performance | Experiment & Refine | Advanced Ableton & Push techniques |
| W15 | May 9 | P5: Performance | Performance | Final performances |
Course Policies
Grading Policy
- Class Preparedness/Attendance (40%): The success of this class relies upon all its members taking active ownership of their own educational and creative goals. Everyone should arrive at each class prepared to engage with their peers, having reviewed any supplemental materials provided by the instructor and with current work for demonstration and critique. Students will be evaluated on their readiness for each class.
- Projects (60%): There will be five projects over the course of the semester, each comprising three weekly assignments. Each assignment will have a detailed grading rubric, and the collective points earned on the three weekly assignments will result in the total grade for each project.
Attendance Policy
- Punctual attendance at each class meeting is mandatory.
- Each unexcused absence results in an automatic reduction of the final grade for the entire semester.
- In case of illness, an email notification must be sent to the instructor. Failure to do so can result in an unexcused absence. A doctor’s note may be requested at the discretion of the instructor.
- Travel, or similar non-emergency absences during the semester, have to be requested and approved by the instructor via email no less than a week before the intended absences.
- More than three absences per semester, whether excused or unexcused, result in a failing grade for the entire course.
- Class begins promptly at the designated time. Any arrival later than 20 minutes past the official class start time will be considered an excused absence (which still counts toward the absence limit above).
Assignment Policy
- Assignments are due at the date and time provided by your instructor.
- Late assignments will only be accepted with prior approval from the instructor for a 1% per day grade reduction.
- Requests for an assignment extension must be made 24 hours prior to their posted due date and time.
- Any unapproved late assignments will not be accepted, and will automatically receive a zero grade (F).
- All assignments are to be submitted electronically unless otherwise stated by the instructor.
- Personal absence, whether excused or unexcused, is not an excuse for late or missed work.
Additional Academic Policies and Procedures
See the “Academic Policies and Resources” page on Canvas for all school-wide policies and resources. The course policies listed above supersede any school-wide policies.