Composition Program
Pablo
E. Furman, Area Coordinator Overview
Composers Forum (including student achievements
& bios, discussions, and useful links)
Composers Connection (readings
of students' works, guest artists and more)
Audition Requirements
Music Technology
Guest Composer Series
 Overview
The Composition Program offers intensive studies in art
music composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Classes are set up in private and group sessions. Undergraduate
students are guided through a series of courses designed to
develop skill in handling contemporary techniques and musical
vocabulary. The objectives of lower-division courses are exploratory
in nature, focusing on various techniques and musical styles.
In upper-division courses the emphasis is on developing an
individual style.
At the graduate level, in addition to the required courses,
students are assisted in the preparation of a Thesis in the
form of an original composition.
Composers Forum
The Forum is a weekly meeting of composition students and
faculty. Events include lectures, visits by guest composers
and artists, and presentations by students. Topics include
compositional issues, career development, new music, and technology.
The Forum is an integral part of the composition program and
in addition to composition-specific discussions it offers
students the chance to interact with professional composers
as well as with each other, develop their oral skills and
learn about the pragmatic aspects of a successful professional
or academic career ( including matters such as concert production,
preparing for competitions, presenting at festivals and conferences,
developing career strategies, etc.).
The Composers Connection (Click
here for a slide show)
The Composers Connection is a collaborative project with
the San Jose Chamber Orchestra (Barbara Day Turner, Director).
Each semester, a six-member ensemble from the orchestra meets
with composition students to play, critique, and record their
works . In addition, guest composers with the orchestra are
scheduled on a regular basis to give lectures and participate
in exchanges with composition students and faculty in the
Composers Forum. Also, students are provided with complimentary
tickets to selected concerts by the SJCO.
Auditions
All those interested in studying composition must audition
by presenting two or three representative compositions including
scores and recordings. In addition, each applicant must be
able to discuss any three of the following works with the
audition committee and one other work of the applicant's personal
choice. Graduate applicants select five examples. These
works can found in the main library at San José State
University and in the libraries of most local universities
and colleges, as well as city libraries.
Compositions list for audition
Please, see the Student
Handbook.
- Music Technology
- Related instruction is available through the music technology
courses where students can learn the principles and techniques
of digital electronic music, MIDI, and digital synthesis
and sound design in order to create electro-acoustic music
compositions and sound design projects utilizing the latest
available computer resources. Students interested in recording
techniques, studio arts, multi-media projects and film
scoring can take advantage of the courses in recording
and studio production to learn the principles of synchronizing
sound to video and use of music and sound in a variety
of media applications. The courses we currently offer
in music technology are: Music 167, Music 168 (Electro-Acoustic
music/sound design I and II respectively), Music 170A,
Music 170B (Recording Techniques I and II respctively),
and Music 160S (Electro-acoustic music lab). In addition
we offer a BA degree in Studio Arts or music technology
and a Music Minor with emphasis on music technology.
Besides the BM in composition these are two paths that
students can take if they want in depth training in music
technology and studio techniques with the aim at careers
in studio arts, sound design, music/sound producition,
and other multimedia applications. We collaborate closely
with the RTFT (Radio Tv Film & Theater) department
to provide a well rounded program to students interested
in sound and music application in related media fields.
Guest Composers
In the Spring semester, the Composition Program hosts the
Guest Composer Series and invites a composer of international
recognition to participate in concerts, seminars, and master
classes. Through these events students become familiar with
some of the finest personalities in the field. Past Guest
Composers have included Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Morton
Subotnick, Trevor Wishart, James Tenny, the Logos Duo, Pulitzer
award-winners Mario Davidovsky and George Crumb, and Lou Harrison.
Page updated 09/23/2005.
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