Faculty:
Clay Chaplin Director, Computer/Experimental Music Studios; Experimental Sound Practices
Michael Jon Fink Composition
Vinny Golia Jazz Woodwinds/Composition
Arthur Jarvinen Composition
Ulrich Krieger Composition, Experimental Sound Practices
Anne LeBaron Composition, Theory
Michael Pisaro Co–Chair Composition and Experimental Sound Practices
Sara Roberts Experimental Sound Practices
Barry Schrader Composition
David Rosenboom Dean; Composition, NCP Conductor
Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith African American Improvisational Music, Trumpet, Composition
Wolfgang von Schweinitz Composition, Theory, Orchestration
Mark Trayle Co–Chair Composition and Experimental Sound Practices
Since its founding, the School of Music has been recognized as a leading center for contemporary composition. The Composition Program continues this legacy by helping each student to develop his or her own artistic voice through the mastery of a broad range of theories, techniques and technologies. In recognition of the enormous expansion in the stylistic breadth of contemporary music during the last century, students are not expected to follow any particular stylistic pathway or school of composition. Rather, the curriculum and pedagogical methods support the acquisition of tools that enable each student to build and sustain his or her own profile as an innovative creative artist. The program also urges students to expand their knowledge of historical and current practices so that they can better contextualize their work and build successful careers. To support these goals, the Composition Program offers an impressive array of courses, plus exposure to the work of many prominent guest composers.
Student composers have the opportunity to write for, and have their work performed by, various student and faculty ensembles and chamber groups, including the New Century Players and the California EAR Unit. Composers also collaborate with faculty and students in the Multi–Focus Programs in Performance, as well as with other performing and visual artists throughout the CalArts community.
Composition Specialization in EXPERIMENTAL SOUND PRACTICES (MFA)