The course will be structured in three sections. First, we will discuss the relevance and application of compositional voice in the film scoring industry. This discussion will bookend the course, occurring in lessons 1 and 12. Lesson 1 will define composer’s voice and discuss its role in the film scoring industry. Lesson 12 will discuss strategies for applying one’s compositional voice in a collaborative environment. Lessons 2 and 3 will focus on composer biographies. These lessons will detail successful composer’s life stories and provide examples of their music. The student will identify what musical characteristics constitute that composer’s voice. Lessons 4-11 will focus on compositional exercises to expand the student’s compositional voice. The lessons will discuss melody, harmony, rhythm, tone color, form, workflow, recording techniques and performance techniques, with the goal of experimenting with new ideas.

During each lesson, there will be reading and discussion threads. There will be a graded assignment at the end of each lesson that requires the student to apply the lesson concepts in a new composition or essay. Each lesson will include a graded quiz based on the lesson’s reading.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Study successful composers, their biographies, and their music. Be able to identify their compositional voice and what makes their music unique.
• Identify one’s own compositional voice as it exists today by reflecting on one’s musical influences and life experiences.
• Experiment compositionally to develop and expand one’s compositional voice.

Syllabus

Lesson 1 Composer’s Voice

Lesson 2 Composer Biographies I

Lesson 3 Composer Biographies II

Lesson 4 Expanding Your Melodic Voice

Lesson 5 Expanding Your Harmonic Voice

Lesson 6 Expanding Your Rhythmic Voice

Lesson 7 Expanding Your Tone Color Voice

Lesson 8 Expanding Your Form Voice

Lesson 9 Expanding Your Compositional Workflow

Lesson 10 Expanding Your Recording Techniques

Lesson 11 ExpandingYour Performance Techniques

Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements

Students should:

• Have a basic understanding of music theory and be able to read notated music.
• Be proficient in the composition software (this is not a technology course).

Required Textbook(s)

• None required

Film Scoring Rig

General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in live chats. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.

Mac Users

• OS X 10.10 Yosemite or higher

PC Users

• Windows 7 or higher

All Users

• Latest version of Google Chrome
• Zoom meeting software (available in the course when joining your first chat)
• Webcam
• Speakers or headphones
• External or internal Microphone
• Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

Ben Newhouse

Author & Instructor

Ben Newhouse’s commercial music has been used in more than 3,000 episodes of television, including projects for ABC, CBS, NBC, and most major cable networks. Newhouse’s music is the soundtrack for the Disney DVD logo, several independent films, and Las Vegas stage shows. Newhouse was awarded the BMI Pete Carpenter Fellowship in 1999.

The University Continuing Education Association awarded his Orchestration 1 course “Best New Online Course” in 2009, and Berklee awarded Newhouse a “Distinguished Faculty Award” in 2015. Newhouse has also guest lectured at Pescara Conservatory in Pescara, Italy and Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Sydney, Australia. He authored Producing Music with Digital Performer (Berklee Press), which has sold 15,000 copies. He has been quoted in multiple publications, including Electronic Music magazine and acousticmidiorchestration.com.

As a composer during his college years at Eastman School of Music where he received his bachelor of music degree, and graduated magna cum laude, his music was performed primarily by Eastman groups and groups along the East Coast. “Heat,” a relentless overture for orchestra, received the Howard Hanson Award in the late 1990s and was premiered by the Eastman School Symphonic Orchestra. Newhouse is also a full-fellowship master’s degree alumnus of the University of Southern California, completing an MBA and a Business of Entertainment graduate certificate program with the School of Cinematic Arts.

What’s Next?

When taken for credit, Compositional Voice Development in Film Scoring can be applied towards these associated programs:

Associated Certificate Program

• Compositional Approaches to Film Scoring Graduate Certificate

Associated Degree Major

• Master’s Degree in Film Scoring