Courses in Composition and Sonic Arts
Learn about the different areas of study within Composition and Sonic Arts.
Courses in Composition and Sonic Arts tend to fall into seven different areas of study: 1) Instrumental/Vocal composition, 2) Film scoring, 3) Orchestration & digital orchestration, 4) Jazz composing & arranging, 5) Studio-based sonic arts, sound design & electronic music, 6) Coding, AV, synthesis, DSP & game audio, and 7) Recording, mixing & audio post-production. To take the full suite of courses within an area, you usually need to take the corresponding major (see below). Any individual course, however, can normally be taken as an elective within any other major or degree, providing you meet the prerequisites for that course.
1) Instrumental/vocal composition
You’ll learn to write effectively for acoustic instruments and voices, how notate your music to a professional level and how to write extended-form works that display a high level of creative artistry. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Instrumental/Vocal Composition major of the BMus.
Courses include:
CMPO 101 Introduction to Composition, Sonic Arts and Film Scoring
CMPO 130 Instrumentation
CMPO 201 Instrumental/Vocal Composition 2: Form, Process and Materials
CMPO 232 Composing/Arranging for Small Ensembles (Classical/Jazz)
CMPO 301 Advanced Techniques in Instrumental/Vocal Composition
NZSM 401 Project in Composition/Sonic Arts 1
2) Film scoring
You’ll learn how to write music that strengthens the emotional impact and narrative continuity in film, how to score effectively in both digital and acoustic realms, how to sync to picture, and how to work with live musicians to create your dream soundtrack. 400-level courses are taught at the Miramar Creative Campus. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Instrumental/Vocal Composition major of the BMus, with a specialisation in Film Scoring.
Courses include:
CMPO 101 Introduction to Composition, Sonic Arts and Film Scoring
MUSC 247 Film Music
MUSC 268 Harmony in late-Romantic Music and Western Film Scores
CMPO 305 Topic in Composition/Sonic Arts: Sample-based Orchestration and Creative Live Instrumentation for Film
NZSM 405 Topic in Composition: The Total Audio Landscape in Film
NZSM 403 Advanced Music/Sound for Film
3) Orchestration & digital orchestration
You’ll learn how to write effectively for symphony orchestra, how to format your scores and parts to a professional standard, and how to work with sample packs to create realistic orchestral sounds. Students usually take these courses as part of an Instrumental/Vocal Composition major of the BMus, or as electives in another major.
Courses include:
CMPO 130 Instrumentation
CMPO 230 Projects in Small Ensemble Composition and Orchestration
CMPO 305 Topic in Composition/Sonic Arts: Sample-based Orchestration and Creative Live Instrumentation for Film
CMPO 332 Composing/Arranging for Large Ensembles (Classical/Jazz)
4) Jazz composing & arranging
You’ll learn how to compose within the jazz style, how to voice your harmonies effectively, how to write for both combos and big bands. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Jazz major of the BMus.
Courses include:
CMPO 201 Projects in Composition (Classical/Jazz)
CMPO 232 Composing/Arranging for Small Ensembles (Classical/Jazz)
CMPO 301 Advanced Projects in Composition (Classical/Jazz)
CMPO 332 Composing/Arranging for Large Ensembles (Classical/Jazz)
5) Studio-based sonic arts, sound design & electronic music
You’ll learn how to create electronic music within a dedicated studio, how to use sound processing software to create evocative, multichannel soundscapes. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Sonic Arts and Music Technology major of the BMus.
Courses include:
CMPO 101 Introduction to Composition, Sonic Arts and Film Scoring
CMPO 210 Electronic Music and Experimental Sound Design
CMPO 310 Electronic Music, Sound Design and Spatial Audio
6) Coding, AV, synthesis, DSP & game audio
You’ll learn the fundamentals of digital music coding, how sound synthesis techniques work, and how to compose and integrate music assets into a game or other interactive medium. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Sonic Arts and Music Technology major of the BMus.
Courses include:
CMPO 185 Beginning Digital Music Coding
CMPO 285 Interactive Audio/Visual Music Technology
CMPO 385 Projects in Interactive Sound/Game Audio
NZSM 485 Advanced Projects in Interactive Sound/Game Audio
7) Recording, mixing & audio post-production
You’ll learn advanced studio recording and mixing techniques, how to record foley, ambience and SFX for film, and how to record and produce large ensembles such as big bands and orchestras. 400-level courses are taught at the Miramar Creative Campus. Students who wish to take the full suite of courses should enrol in the Sonic Arts and Music Technology major of the BMus.
Courses include:
CMPO 186 Recording, Production and Sound Design
CMPO 286 Studio Recording and Production
CMPO 386 Audio Post-Production and Recording for Film
NZSM 403 Advanced Music/Sound for Film