Summer Composition/Music Technology Intensive

Summer Composition/Music Technology Intensive

The Summer Composition/Music Technology Intensive at UNCSA is ideal for high school and college students interested in developing their creative potential in composition.

This intensive is for composers who have already created their own music using programs like Garage Band, Ableton, Logic and Noteflight, but who want to expand their creative perspective and technique. Summer composition students will enjoy a variety of projects: creating music for film, songwriting, and composing music for the concert stage. 

Students with no formal composition training, as well as students with prior formal studies in composition, are welcome.  At minimum, students should be comfortable reading traditional music notation in at least one clef.  Advanced students will be given an individual course of study tailored to their specific creative direction.

Each student will receive individual composition lessons, courses in composition techniques, music technology, songwriting, music notation, recording, orchestration, harmony, counterpoint ear training and improvisation.  Audio and video recordings will be made for each student’s compositions presented at the end of the Intensive.

Summer Composition/Music Technology is a great preparatory workshop for students who will be auditioning for college and conservatory composition programs in the fall. Previous Summer Composition Workshop students have gone on to enroll in the top undergraduate music composition programs around the country including Oberlin Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Boston Conservatory, University of North Texas - School of Music, Catholic University - Benjamin T. Rome School of Music and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. 

Taught by composer Michael S. Rothkopf, students in this intensive will create music using the latest digital technology as well as work with live performers. You are invited to experience a summer rich with creativity!

Optional equipment:

  • A recent computer (1-5 years old)
  • Headphones or earbuds
  • A MIDI controller

All software needed for this workshop will be provided.

Sample Schedule