Media composition and electroacoustic music

Period of study: 2 academic years, full time

A total of 60 credits per academic year is required. They are accumulated from the compulsory (70%), elective (20%) and optional (10%) subjects.

Admission: on submission of documents

Students holding a Bachelor’s degree with an average score above Good (4) from the semester exams and Very good (4.50) from the State exams can apply.

The Master’s graduate program in Media composition and electroacoustic music is conceived within the framework of the Theory, Composition and Conducting Faculty and includes instruction in the spheres of electroacoustics, audio-visual media and computer music.

Study goals and objectives: To give the students the opportunity to develop their  musical-theoretical and technical competence in the fields of media composition and electroacoustic music: music for cinema and television, music sound and design, visual music, video clip, mulitmedia, incidental music for the theatre, sound installations, TV commercial music, art video and experimental music forms. The main topic for the specialty is examining the relationships between media and electroacoustic music on the one hand and modern classical music, jazz and pop, on the other hand. Despite their specific focus, media and electroacoustic composition are closely related to classical composition and it is from there that they receive their main artistic drive.

The dynamic development of modern electronic media has increased the demand and creates new areas that need specially composed and produced music of applied character, or the so called “media music”. The music performing specific application functions has always existed throughout the ages and leads to a substantial amount of musical creativity in general. Both musicians and composers, especially in the 20th century, have always found new ways and forms to create music for the media. The newly established master’s degree program of the National Academy of Music is a logical step towards the pedagogical and scientific integration of this essential part of the music of our time.

The specialty is a kind of creative “laboratory”, a place for experiment and research. The demand for new forms of presentation and innovative methods of production are generally united by the term “electroacoustic music”. It includes the introduction and use of experimental methods of computer music, sound synthesizing and processing, Live-Electronic, acousmatics, morphing.

The technological aspect is yet another major task of teaching the course. The composition, notation, production and presentation of media and electroacoustic music is only possible with knowledge of modern technologies and is done by means of sound and technical devices and music software.

The teaching process should be executed in an environment specialized and equipped for that purpose. Periodic workshops with the participation of European experts in this field are organized within the framework of the specialty.

The major is of interest not only for students of composition, but also for musicians oriented towards improvisation (classical and jazz) and sound engineers.

Necessary documents for enrollment: Diploma and application in free form

Enrollment deadline:

Contacts:

Associate Professor Kremena Angelova, e-mail: akremena@yahoo.com