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The Musical Web

Teachers
Tommy Martinez, Maxine de las Pozas
Date
Section 1: June 10, 2024 to August 12, 2024
Section 2: June 11, 2024 to August 13, 2024

(10 classes)
Time
Section 1: Mondays, 7-10pm ET Section 2: Tuesdays, 7-10pm ET
Location
Online (Zoom)
Cost
$1200 Scholarships available learn more...
Deadline
Applications closed on April 16, 2024

Apply Now

Description

With much of our listening mediated by streaming platforms, social networks, and virtual environments, it is exciting to imagine possible new alternatives that these tools open for composing and distributing music online. But how can these web technologies be used to shape a modern sound practice? In this 10-week class, participants will explore this question by building musical experiences that draw on live web APIs, networking, and generative algorithms in the web browser. Sessions will combine discussion, sharing, technical exercises, and hands-on lab time. Approximately half of the courses will focus on tech agnostic composition and sound design exercises. These lessons will include sampling and digital synthesis techniques, as well as tactics in improvisational performance. Participants will work each week to build their own web-based sound pieces while collectively imagining what new forms music may take on the world wide web. The course will primarily use the Web Audio API and the Max/RNBO and p5.js sound libraries though other tools will also be explored. While some experience working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is required, we welcome all experience levels. If you have any doubts about required skills coming into the class, reach out to us before applying.

Course of Study

  • Week 1 - New Mediums: A survey of web-based music and sound art. A look at the various tools available for making music on the internet. Scripting the < audio > tag.
  • Week 2 - Synths and Effects: Translating electronic synthesis techniques into a web-based environment using p5.js, and RNBO. Sliders, buttons and interfaces.
  • Week 3 - Field Recording, Sampling and Collage: Musique concrete and granular synthesis.
  • Week 4 - Arrangements and Timing: Making sequencers and composing in time. Creating a beginning and an end, stochastic processes, and infinite music.
  • Week 5 - Web and Device APIs: Making music that responds to real-time data and gestural control.
  • Week 6 - Site Specificity: Sound walks and site specificity using the geolocation API.
  • Week 7 - Virtual Environments: 3D world-building and spatial audio sources in WebXR. A survey of virtual performance.
  • Week 8 - Network Magic: Socket programming and building multi-person networked experiences.
  • Week 9 - Generative Simulations: Particle systems, animations and emergent complexity.
  • Week 10 - Final Presentations: Final projects, performances, and feedback.

Expectations

Time & Workload
  • There will be weekly exercises that give participants a chance to explore the class topics on their own terms. We will encourage participants to spend as much as a couple of hours or more on these exercises and to share their work with the class each week.
  • We will also encourage participants to participate in the final project showcase by submitting a website to our showcase page.
Technical Experience
  • The course will primarily use the Web Audio API and the Max/RNBO and p5.js sound libraries, though other tools will also be explored. While some experience working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is required, we welcome all experience levels. If you have any doubts about required skills coming into the class, reach out to us before applying.
Learning Outcomes
  • Participants can expect to learn a variety of strategies for online sound composition, and to be given space to develop alternatives to those presented in class.
Materials
  • A Mac or Windows laptop and an internet connection.

Is this class for me?

This class may be for you if:

  • You identify as a composer or musician interested in making music with web technology.
  • You are a web developer or programmer interested in using your skills to make music.

This class may NOT be for you if:

  • You are looking for a professional coding boot camp.

Meet the Teachers

teacher

Tommy Martinez

Tommy Martinez is an artist and programmer working primarily through research, sound and code. He creates software and musical systems for the internet, embedded devices, and for live multichannel performance. Martinez has performed at MoMA PS1, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Fridman Gallery, and Pioneer Works. He has lectured on sound and electronic art at School for Poetic Computation, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and NYU.

he/him · website · twitter · instagram

teacher

Maxine de las Pozas

Maxine de las Pozas is a music artist and technologist in Brooklyn, NY. She has performed, published original music, and DJ’ed under the name Axine M since 2017. As Axine M, she is a 2024 Issue Project Room Artist in Residence. Maxine holds a master's degree in Music Technology from NYU Steinhardt, where she focused on the design of novel music controllers for live performance. Her thesis project was published in the proceedings of New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME 2020) and International Computer Music Conference (ICMC 2021). Maxine is an active participant in and sound engineer for Chaos Computer. She works as an Audiovisual Technician.

she/her · website · instagram

How do I apply?

Apply Now

Applications open until Applications closed on April 16, 2024.

You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on . Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.

How much does it cost to attend?

For 10 classes, it costs $1200 + processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule weekly or monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.

SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.

Applicant FAQ

For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.

Interested in more learning opportunities at the School for Poetic Computation? Join our newsletter to stay up to date on future sessions and events, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Support our programming through scholarships. Get in touch over email.