MUSPERF 300: Video Game Music (Fall 2014)

Just wanted to spread the word about a game-related music class being taught again in the Fall.

MUSPERF 300: Video Game Music

This course charts the evolution of video game music from the first synthesized “bleeps” and “bloops” of early games, through the rise and fall of the video arcade, to the nearly ubiquitous games/consoles found in most households, and the latest craze-causing games on mobile devices.  

In-class discussions will provide methods for simple analysis of game audio, consider the interactive nature of game audio, and examine the composers who create this music and how they do it.  Class sessions will also include Skype Q&As with industry experts.  In lieu of formal written papers, your contribution to a listening blog will create a vibrant online community.  The course culminates with a creative final project: your composition of video game music.  

Examined music includes games/series: Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Punch Out, Super Mario Bros, Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Myst, Diablo, BioShock, Red Dead Redemption, Farmville, Angry Birds, DDR, Guitar Hero, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and many others, as well as game music of class choice.  

This course is designed for non-music majors, thus: the ability to read standard music notation is neither required nor advantageous.  

Special Note: This course qualifies as intellectual breadth credit for engineers.

Tues/Thurs.  Central Campus: Chem 1300.  2 credits.  
For more information contact Matthew Thompson: mattthom@umich.edu