WORKSHOPS IN COMPOSITION
AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC
WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER (see details below):

 

 

ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION (BEGINNER)

Introductory course in electronic music composition

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BEYOND THE BASICS, INTERMEDIATE ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Intermediate course in electronic music and sound design

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VIDEO GAME MUSIC

Learn how to compose music for video games

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FILM SCORING

Learn to compose music for film and media

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AUDIO EDITING FOR MUSICIANS

1-week boot camp to learn how to record, edit, mix and share audio
 

Nicolas Scherzinger has taught courses and lessons in composition and electronic music for over 20 years, working at such institutions as Syracuse University, Mannes School of Music Preparatory Division, SUNY Purchase and the Kinhaven Music School.  He now makes his extensive knowledge and experience available through these online courses. 

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On this page you will find a number of workshops available this summer.  Each workshop will meet for 2 hours per day, 5 days a week, for a total of 2 weeks (10 classes in total, 20 hours of instruction).

 

During each workshop, students will learn new concepts, then apply those concepts as they complete creative assignments.    

Here is how an average 2-hour workshop breaks down:

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  1. Workshop starts with some listening and discussion about a specific concept or technique.

  2. The teacher will give various demonstrations and examples of how the concept or technique works and how students can apply the technique.

  3. Students may break off into small groups for additional listening and discussion, or a small assignment.

  4. Students are then given a creative assignment where they apply the concept or technique in a composition exercise.  During this time, the teacher will periodically check in with each student to check on progress and see if the student has any questions about how to complete the assignment.

  5. After a period of work, students come together to share and discuss each other’s work for the day.

  6. Depending on time, the class may move ahead with a related or new topic.

 

For all completed work, students will get feedback from the teacher. At the end of each workshop, students keep all their work.

REQUIREMENTS

 

  • Unless otherwise stated, ALL COURSES are open to students of any age and level.
     

  • You will need to own or have access to a computer (Mac or PC) and have one of the suggested applications installed on the computer (see below). 
     

  • You will need to have internet access.  Workshops will be taught using Zoom.
     

  • It is recommended that you have headphones or earbuds so you can work quietly at home (and it will also be easier to hear the online content)
     

  • You DO NOT need to own any additional recording equipment (microphones, audio interface, etc.)
     

  • You DO NOT need to own an electronic or MIDI keyboard.  You can do all work on a simple computer.

 

SUGGESTED AUDIO APPLICATIONS

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Unless specified by the course, students can use any digital audio production application for Mac or PC.

 

Here are the audio applications I highly recommend:

  • GarageBand (macOS, free)

  • Reaper (macOS and Windows, $60 –– 60-day free demo available!!!)

  • Logic Pro X (macOS, $199 –– 90-day free demo available!!!)

  • Ableton Intro (macOS and Windows, $69-$99 –– 30-day free demo available)

 

These other applications are also available and are very good:

  • Cubase Elements (macOS and Windows, $99 –– 30-day free demo available)

  • FL Studio Fruity Edition (Windows, $99 –– 30-day free demo available)

 

A note on Ableton Live Lite

  • If you purchased a MIDI keyboard, it may have come with something called Ableton Live Lite.  This is a free version on Ableton Live and is very powerful and will work well enough for any of the courses listed below.

 

ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR BEGINNERS

Start composing music on a computer

open to all ages
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July 6-17
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Morning Session, 10am - 12pm
 
or
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Afternoon Session, 1pm - 3pm
 
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tuition (per session): $500
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How to Register

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

No previous experience required.

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If you have never used a computer to make music (or have very little experience), then this is the workshop for you.  By the end of two-weeks, you will be able to create a piece of music on the computer that you can share with family, friends and the world.

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You do not need to be able to read music notation to take this class.  You also do not need to have any prior experience composing.

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You will learn how to:

  • create basic beats, melodies, chords, pads, bass lines, loops

  • record, create, organize and edit MIDI and audio clips/tracks

  • apply effects to any sound

  • mix your tracks into a piece of music

  • master and bounce your music for final presentation

  • share your music with the world

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Send Nic an email if you have questions 
BEYOND THE BASICS: INTERMEDIATE ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION

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open to all ages
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July 20-31
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Morning Session, 10am - 12pm
 
or
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Afternoon Session, 1pm - 3pm
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tuition (per session): $500
How to Register

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

This workshop is for anyone who has some experience making music on a computer already (or you have taken our beginner workshop), but you want to learn more intermediate and advanced techniques, and you want to make your music sound better, more unique and personal.

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You will learn how to:

  • build your own unique sounds (sampling, synthesis, sound design)

  • use audio effects more effectively and understand how they really work

  • apply audio effects to a sound, track or master track, and change the settings of effects over time

  • use advanced editing and mixing techniques

  • apply different mastering plugins

  • deconstruct electronic music pieces and see how/why they work

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Send Nic an email if you have questions 
VIDEO GAME MUSIC
open to all ages
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August 3 - 14
 
Morning Session, 10am - 12pm
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tuition (per session): $500
How to Register

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

To take this workshop, you should have some experience using a digital audio workstation application (or have taken the ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR BEGINNERS workshop).

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If you have always wanted to know how music for video games is created, this is the workshop for you.  You will learn real techniques used by video games composers today.  You will learn by creating your own music using these specific techniques.

 

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You will learn how to:

  • compose music that fits different video game scenarios, plots or genres

  • compose music for a video game based on a reference track

  • put together a portfolio of work to share with video game developers

  • apply such video game techniques as a linear loop, cut scene, vertical layering, perpetual development, etc.

  • work as a team member and understand how workflow applies to video game music creation

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Workshop size will be limited to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants.

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Send Nic an email if you have questions 
FILM SCORING
open to all ages
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August 3 - 14
 
Afternoon Session, 1pm - 3pm
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tuition (per session): $500
How to Register

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

To take this workshop, you should have some experience using a digital audio workstation application (or have taken the ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR BEGINNERS workshop).

 

If you have always wanted to know how to compose music for films, this is the course for you. You will learn real techniques used by film composers today.  You will learn by creating your own music using these specific techniques.

 

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You will learn how to:

  • write music for film by using such techniques as: program music, music and metaphor, marking hits, creating atmosphere, scoring opening and end credits, themes and textures, tempo mapping, dramatic shifts,

  • work with temp tracks and reference tracks

  • score actual film excerpts using a variety of techniques

 

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Workshop size will be limited to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants.

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Send Nic an email if you have questions 
AUDIO EDITING FOR MUSICIANS
open to all ages
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Date and time TBA
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tuition (per session): $250
How to Register

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

No previous experience required.

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If you are a musician (professional, student or amateur) and you want to learn how to record and edit your own performances, practice sessions, audition recordings, grant application recordings, etc. then this 1-week boot camp is for you.

 

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You will learn how to:

  • edit audio with any audio editing application

  • cut and splice different takes, clean up audio

  • record using a microphone or audio recording device (Zoom H2n recorder, etc.)

  • save, import and export different audio formats

  • equalize (EQ) and add reverb or effects

  • share or post audio online

 

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Workshop size will be limited to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants.

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a 1-week boot camp that meets for 2 hours each day, Monday – Friday, for a total of 10 hours of instruction.
 

Send Nic an email if you have questions 
 
 
 
 

© 2020 Adrienne Kim and Nicolas Scherzinger