Most live electronic music today is performed by one or two people — think of deadmau5 or Daft Punk. But what happens if you have more people playing together? In the last decade, a new form of electronic music-making has emerged: the laptop orchestra, in which multiple laptop computer musicians perform together.
The terms laptop orchestra (often abbreviated “lork”) and laptop ensemble are synonymous. Groups range in size from four to over 30.
Lork performance can work like a traditional orchestra, with a conductor directing the musicians. Or, it can be less hierarchical, featuring collective improvisation. Lorks can even use peer-to-peer wireless networking to develop a new form of musical collaboration. For example, one player could transmit her notes to another, who could respond before passing the notes on to someone else. Some people have made lork music derived from multi-player gaming scenarios.
This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to engage in this kind of cooperative electronic music-making. Performers, composers, improvisors, DJs, programmers, creative media artists — all of you can play a role, or multiple roles, within an ensemble.
It is helpful to have had some experience making electronic music, but that is not essential. You should have some kind of music background: playing clarinet in the orchestra, playing guitar in your band, singing in a choir, making beats on your computer, etc.
Fall 2016
MUS-K450/550
MWF 12:20-1:10 pm, Music Library M373
2 credit hours
For more information, visit the course website.