Composition

Our team of composition faculty offers a wide variety of classes for our student composers to explore. As the students try their hand at a variety of genres and techniques, they are able to have live performances of their pieces by St Olaf musicians to help them hear what they have created. Private composition lessons are also offered and required for students who continue into the composition concentration or major.

The music found in rehearsal folders plays a pivotal role in shaping the curricular focus of a school band or orchestra. This class helps students develop skills in assessing, selecting, and creating high-quality music literature appropriate for instructing instrumental ensembles in elementary and secondary schools. A comprehensive review of recommended published repertoire culminates in programming projects. Additionally, students acquire the technical craft and artistic sensibilities needed to create successful arrangements for instrumental ensembles. Counts toward BA music major and all BM majors. Required for BM music instrumental education majors. Offered alternate years in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: MUSIC 114.

Students are introduced to a number of compositional techniques and apply them in creating original works of music and hearing them performed. Participants listen to important 20th- and 21st-century compositions, and discuss current trends in music, the changing role of the composer in society, and practical composition issues. Offered each semester.
Prerequisite: MUSIC 114, or permission of instructor.

This course is a hands-on study of the science, aesthetics, history and current practices of electronic music. Creative projects include work with MIDI synthesizers and sequencers, as well as digital sampling and software synthesis. Offered during alternate years during Interim. Also counts toward media studies concentration.
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above.

Most music encountered today is either processed by computer or created entirely digitally. This course provides an introduction to the creation of computer music using programming languages and emphasizing object-oriented programming. Students develop skills in abstract and quantitative reasoning in a musical context. They develop their ability to recognize and employ musical patterns and structures in creating new pieces of music. Topics include digital synthesis, timbral design, live coding, and intonation. Offered alternate years.
Prerequisite: a basic knowledge of musical theory or notation is helpful but not necessary.

Students develop more advanced technique in writing for instruments and voice through study in creative composition, focusing on large ensembles. Offered every year.
Prerequisite: MUSIC 223.

Composition Lessons are offered to students enrolled as composition majors. For more information, see Performance Studies.

The Sound of Research

As part of the Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (CURI) program, Erica Malpass ’19 worked with Professor of Music Timothy Mahr ’78 to compose a piece that the St. Olaf Band performed in Spring 2019.