The
Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) Department
Gary Lee Nelson, Professor of Electronic and Computer Music; Chair
Tom Lopez, Assistant Professor of Computer Music and Digital Arts
John Talbert, Lecturer in Analog-Digital Circuit Design
TBA, Director of Conservatory Audio Services
Major Study: Technology in Music and Related Arts
Course
Requirements
Recommended
Course Distribution
Hrs.
Fresh
Soph
Junior
Senior
3
TECH
200 (Studio Techniques)
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
TECH
201 (Computer Music)
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
TECH
210 (Adv Computer Music)
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
3
TECH
211 (Performance Technology)
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
4
Secondary
Private Study1
-
-
2
2
-
-
-
-
4
Ensemble
electives2
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
3
TECH
310 (Independent Creative Project)
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
12
TECH
350 (Workshop electives)3
-
-
-
-
3
3
3
3
6
TECH
410 (Independent Creative Project)
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
3
12
MUTH
130 or 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory)
3
3
3
3
-
-
-
-
4
MUTH
101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills)
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
4
MHST
101 (Intro to the History and Literature of Music)4
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
Music
History/Ethnomusicology electives5
-
3
3
-
-
-
-
-
15
Arts
electives6
-
-
-
-
6
3
3
3
12
Music
electives7
-
-
-
3
3
-
3
3
6
Free
electives
-
2
-
-
-
4
-
-
24
Liberal
Arts electives
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
124
15
16
16
16
15
16
15
15
Non-Course
Requirements
Committee Examinations:8
First
Major Committee
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
Second
Major Committee
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
Performance Requirement:
Public
Performances9
X
X
X
X
-
-
-
-
Junior
Recital or Project10
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
Senior
Recital or Project10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
1 This requirement is intended to give TIMARA majors experience
in private study at their level of performance proficiency. Studies
may be undertaken in any performance medium offered by the Conservatory.
2 The ensemble requirement may be satisfied by membership in Conservatory
ensembles and credit-bearing ExCo ensembles. Other ensembles may
be counted with the approval of the division.
3 TECH 330 (Studio Recording) may be taken once in place of TECH
350.
4< MHST 101 may be waived by placement examination when the student
enters Oberlin.
5 Any 200-level Music History or Ethnomusicology course is appropriate.
6 Students are urged to strive for balance in the choice of arts
electives, and are encouraged to take practical and theoretical courses
in other Arts Departments at Oberlin. This option allows students
to pursue in depth an interest in another art form.
7 Music electives may be chosen from any department in the Conservatory.
Students for whom it is appropriate are encouraged to take upper-division
courses in Music Theory or Music History. Any 200- or 300-level Theory
course is appropriate. Choices of electives should be arrived at
in close consultation with the student's advisor.
8 At the end of the second and fourth semesters of enrollment, the
TIMARA department will review the progress of each student toward
completion of the major. The faculty will consider the following
areas: class performance and productivity; the quality of work as
evidenced in public concerts; and appropriate progress within the
curriculum. If the faculty determines that a student is not making
appropriate or adequate progress in the curriculum, the student will
be asked to submit a portfolio of work and to meet with members of
the department. If the department determines in either of the two
evaluations that a student is not making appropriate progress within
the major, the student may be asked to leave the TIMARA program.
9 Four public appearances are required by the end of the sophomore
year. At least one performance is required in the freshman year.
These appearances may take place on one of the regular TIMARA of
Contemporary Music Division student concerts or at other appropriate
venues approved by two members of the TIMARA faculty.
10Work included in the junior or senior recital must be approved
by two members of the TIMARA faculty 30 days in advance of the recital
date. Junior and senior recitals may not be given in the same academic
year, other than in exceptional cases.
Aims. The major in Technology in Music and Related Arts is intended
for those students who desire a career where traditional musical
skills and understanding are combined with the exploration of the
very latest techniques for musical expression. It is expected that
students who qualify for this major will demonstrate musical proficiency
comparable to that shown by applicants in other areas such as performance
and composition.
The major prepares a student for specialized graduate study in computer
music, digital media and new performance. For those who go directly
into professional life this major offers a structured course of study
that stresses the application of technology as a special resource
in composition, new media, and performance.
Admission to the Major. Admission to the major is based on a personal
interview and on materials submitted to the TIMARA faculty. These
materials may consist of audio and/or video tapes, interactive media,
or scores of original works and performances using technological
media. Research papers and other evidence of preparation may also
be submitted. Students with performance skills on traditional instruments
or voice will be expected to demonstrate these skills during the
interview.
Major Status. Sophomore Major Status is attained upon completion
of six credits in the studio core (TECH 200, 201), two appearances
on a TIMARA student recital, and completion of the First Major Committee.
Junior Major Status is attained upon completion of the studio core
(TECH 210, 211), two additional appearances on a TIMARA student recital,
and completion of the Second Major Committee.
Senior Major Status is attained following completion of 12 additional
hours in TIMARA courses, the TIMARA Junior Seminar, and the Junior
Recital or Project.
Technology in Music and Related Arts as a Second Major. Students
admitted to other degree programs in the Conservatory may elect Technology
in Music and Related Arts as a second major. Requirements are the
same as those outlined above for the primary major in Technology
in Music and Related Arts. Although there is a significant overlap
in Music Theory and Music History requirements and in non-course
requirements with other departments, it may not be possible to complete
a double-major program in four years. Students contemplating such
a plan should consult an advisor at the earliest possible time.
Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected
to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester
until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these
requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student
enters Oberlin.
Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently,
e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I (MUTH 130 or 131)
and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances,
with the permission of the appropriate division director and the
Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take
Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's
aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital
can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts
with these expectations in consultation with their advisors.
Electives. A student should select electives based on the following:
a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory course work is required; a
minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required.
The Junior Recital or Project. In the junior year the major will
make a public presentation of work. This may take the form of a 30-minute
recital of original works, a lecture/demonstration on a topic from
the field, or some other form approved by two members of the TIMARA
faculty.
The Senior Recital or Project. The culmination of the student's
work for the major will be the presentation of a senior recital of
original works, a performance using technological media, or a senior
thesis. The student will present a proposal for this project to the
TIMARA faculty at the beginning of the Senior year.
Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score
below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must
complete one course chosen from the RHET 111-119 series.