Sonic Arts Workshop

Dedicated high school students, aged 15 years and older, have an opportunity to focus on the composition of electroacoustic music and expand their technical and creative resources during the 7-day Sonic Arts Workshop. Participants are chosen through a competitive selection process. The workshop is not open to students who’ve graduated from high school. Topics will include digital audio editing and manipulation, real-time computer music performance techniques, and discussion of pieces from the field's growing repertoire. The program will cover issues of interest to young composers heading toward conservatory studies and those generally interested in experimenting with electroacoustic music and its intersections with other disciplines. The Sonic Arts Workshop will focus on your original creative work. Generous blocks of time will be available in Oberlin’s electronic and computer music studios. Faculty and other participants will listen to your works in progress and offer their reactions, suggestions, and critique. The workshop concludes with an informal concert to present your music to the public. Although you will have access to the TIMARA studios, you may want to bring your own hardware or software. We will help you learn more about your gear; be sure to bring the user manuals. The workshops use Macintosh computers and will cover such topics as: composing, sequencing, sampling, field recording, digital sound recording, audio effects & mixing, CD production, real-time performance, acoustic instruments and electronics, listening to repertoire of electroacoustic music, and discussing the history of electroacoustic music. Oberlin Conservatory of Music offers one college-level music elective credit at no extra charge for students who participate in all course sessions, including the final concert. To register for the Sonic Arts Workshop, please complete the online application along with a $55 application fee. In addition, you will be asked to upload two scores and/or YouTube links to recordings of recently composed work.The academy offers modest scholarships to those who qualify. Please indicate on your application if you would like to be considered for the scholarship. We offer a limited number of scholarships to assist with tuition for those with expressed financial need. Please include a letter requesting this assistance with your application. Notification regarding financial assistance will be sent with your acceptance letter.