Summer, 1965 Workshop and Seminar In Electronic Music Composition


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Electronic Instruments for the Musician

TRUMANSBURG, NEW YORK 14886 * AREA CODE 607 387-9200

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' SUMMER, 1965 WORKSHOP AND SEMINAR IN |
| ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION :

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GENERAL

A workshop and seminar in electronic music composition will
be conducted from August 9-28, 1965, in the studios of the
R.A, Moog Co,, Trumansburg, New York. Herbert Deutsch and Robert
Moog will share the overall responsibilities of planning and con-
ducting the program of lectures, informal seminars, and composition
workshops, Every participant will be able to use one of the compo-
sition facilities for a minimum of fifteen hours per week, In
order to allow for intensive individual composing, attendance will
be strictly limited to twelve participants. 3

AS presently planned, the overall program is intended to offer
composers the opportunity to experiment and compose with electroni-
cally generated sounds, to stimulate the exchange of ideas between
composers, and to increase the communications between composer and
instrument designer. The importance of communication between com-
poser and engineer was revealed last summer, when Hr. Deutsch and
ir, Moog worked together for three weeks. The exchange of ideas
enabled the rapid implementation of concepts, and proved extremely
valuable for both parties. Within these three weeks, Mr. Deutsch
was able to develop basic techniques of "real time composition"
(improvisation) of electronic music, and to compose several studies
and larger pieces. The features of the equipment which Mr. Deutsch
found most useful were subsequently incorporated into the designs
of standard instruments which were introduced last fall by the
R.A. Moog Co, Experienced electronic composers have spoken enthusi-
astically about these new R.A, Moog instruments, and systems have
been delivered to the studios of the Columbia-Princeton Electronic
Music Center, University of Illinois Electronic Music Studio,

Henry Street Playhouse (Alwin Nikolias) and Peabody Conservatory.

The primary function of the forthcoming workshop and seminar
is the instruction of composers in the principles and techniques
of electronic music composition. New techniques and instrumenta~
tion will also be investigated. Participants will be encouraged

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to experiment in any area of electronic music composition in which
they are interested. In fact, absolutcly no restriction will be
placed on the work which the participants choose to undertake
during the workshop sessions.

Mr. Deutsch received a B.S. from Hofstra University and a
B. Mus. and M. Mus. from Manhattan School of Music. His three most
recent commissions include an electronic score for a dance drama
at Smith College. This year, an electronic composition, The Road,
was performed as part of the WNYC (New York) American Music Festival,
and Hugh Ross conducted a work of his for chorus, brass and concrete
tape mix at Carnegie Recital Hall. He is presently a member of the
Hofstra music faculty, and is preparing a New York concert for the
fall season.

Mr. Moog holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia
University, and a PhD. in Engineering Physics from Cornell. His
interest in electronic musical instrument design led him to under-
take the development and manufacture of electronic music compo-
sition equipment. It is anticipated that the complementary skills
and points of view of Mr. Deutsch and Mr. Moog will contribute to
the value of the forthcoming workshop and seminar.

PROGRAM CONTENT

Three or four two-hour sessions per week will be devoted to
lectures and seminars which all of the participants will be en-

couraged to attend. The remaining time will be available for
composition and other independent work,

A series of six lectures on acoustics and electronics will be
given by Robert Moog. Some of the topics to be discussed are:

(a) The description and classification of musical sounds,
(b) A brief introduction to basic electronic circuitry and
components, ;

(c) Review of the development of electronic music compo-
sition equipment,

(d) Description of new instruments for electronic music
composition,

(e) Psychoacoustical considerations in electronic music.

seminars will be conducted by Herbert Deutsch. They will be
of an open nature, with Mr. Deutsch presenting various problems
and questions involving the serious application of electronic
sources and materials into musical forms, It is the intent of
these seminars that debate and discussion by the seminarians will
at least shed light on some very large areas of contemporary musi-
cal composition,





There will be one seminar each week. They will be devoted to
the following problems:

1, Aesthetic problems: aleatory, formalism and improvisation
in electronic composition,

2. The question of notation,

3. Problems encountered by the seminarians during their stay.

As mentioned above, the participants will be able to compose
with no restrictions whatever. Equipment for the composition of
highly organized, precisely constructed pieces will be available
as well as equipment for real time composition and improvisation.
Herbert Deutsch and Robert Moog will be available to aid the par-
ticipants in using the equipment.

FACILITIES

Three basic composition systems will be available. Each system
will contain two or more voltage-controlled oscillators, two vol-
tage-controlled amplifiers, and noise generating, reverberating,
filtering, and mixing instruments. Control devices will include
a five-octave keyboard and a linear "slide-wire" controller. Such
a system enables a composer to conveniently perform most of the
basic operations involved in electronic music composition, includ-
ing the processing of concrete sounds. Each system will be located
in a separate room with a work table and a stereo amplifier--loud-
speaker,

In addition to the three basic composition systems, a number
of experimental instruments will be available. This will most
likely include a polyphonic keyboard instrument, variable speed
tape player, and experimental electronic percussion sets.

It is anticipated that the supply of recording equipment
will be limited, Therefore, all participants are strongly urged
to bring tape recorders for their own use,

A modest library of articles relating to electronic music
will be available at the studio for use by the participants. The
libraries of nearby schools (Cornell University and Ithaca College)
will provide additional research material,

QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS

Applicants must be either practicing composers, or music
students who have completed all undergraduate theory and ear
training requirements, and who have had composition training and
experience,

Every applicant is requested to submit one or two of his com-
positions, which, in his opinion, reveals his ability or potential

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as a composer, Tape recordings are preferred. Scores of compo-
sitions using conventional notation are acceptable. All scores and
recordings will be returned.

Student applicants are also requested to submit the names,
addresses, and positions of two references (preferably composers
or teachers) who are familiar with their work and ability.

ACCOMODATIONS

Trumansburg is a small town (population 1400) in the heart

of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, 15 miles from Ithaca
(Cornell University and Ithaca College) and 80 miles from Rochester.

yhile there are no dormitories in Trumansburg, suitable accomoda-
tions can be arranged for participants and their families, Rooms

in private homes, tourist homes, and motels will be available for
participants with small families. For those who would like to
"rough it", several good campsites lie within a few miles' radius
of Trumansburg. Applications can be furnished on request. Lake-
side cabins may be available for the duration of the workshop. A
more complete selection of accomodations will be available in Ithaca,
a twenty-minute drive from Trumansburg. Applicants are requested

to state the type of accomodations that they will require when
submitting their application,

ENROLLMENT FEE

All participants will be charged an enrollment fee of $75.
Twenty-five dollars will be due upon acceptance of the application,
and the remainder will be payable at the beginning of the session,
Payment of this fee entitles the participant to attend all lectures
and seminars, and to use the equipment and facilities of the R.A.
Moog Studio. The fee does not include expendable materials such
as magnetic tape Or music paper. Recording, splicing, and leader
tape will be available at cost.

It is understood that all material composed during the workshop-
seminar will remain the sole property of the composers, but that the
R.A. Moog Co. shall receive copies of the compositions, and have
the privilege of using the compositions for demonstration and other
non-profit purposes. It is further understood that concert perfor-
mances of these works will at no time take place without the written
permission of the composer.





1965 ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION WORKSHOP
APPLICATION FORM.

NAME

De

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Pe ee Pr or

NAME AND' ADDRESS OF PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION _._..

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PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IN
RT og
LIST TWO REFERENCES ( STUDENT APPLICANTS ONLY)
GS NANG Se oe a PO Be
WOR ie ee ee
WAMR Do oe ee ION eee

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DDR SS en ee en ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee a ome Ue tun tes ones ee as

LIST THE COMPOSITIONS WHICH ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION ( SEE BOTTOM

OF PAGE 3 OF INFORMATION SHEET)

DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF ACCOMODATIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY.
ay TOTAL NOMBER. 2N YOUR PAMILY: 2 es
bi "UMeeR OF Bkpeoous neouInen: ~ =

c) COOKING FACILITIES REQUIRED: NONE ( ) MINIMAL ( ) COMPLETE ( )

(CONTINUED ON BACK OF THIS SHEET)





d) GENERAL TYPE ACCOMODATIONS PREFERRED: MOTEL ( ) TOURIST
HOME ( ) PRIVATE HOME ( ) HOTEL (in Ithaca) ( ) LAXE COTTAGE ( )

CAMPING CABIN ( ) imeem 2

AS S00oN AS PossiBlE
Please return this application with your compositions -be

May-i5,1965, to:
R.A.MOOG CO.

TRUMANSBURG, N.Y.


Title
Summer, 1965 Workshop and Seminar In Electronic Music Composition
Description
Correspondence between composers Otto Henry and Robert Moog, primarily about electronic music equipment. Creator: Henry, Otto; Moog, Robert - 1964/1966
Extent
Local Identifier
UA90.64.04.02
Location of Original
University Archives
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