De Anza College Electronic Music Web Site

Spring 2009 Grades Posted

Dan Mitchell — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:16:02 GMT

I have calculated and posted spring 2009 grades for the Introduction to Electronic Music and the Intermediate Electronic Music classes. I heard quite a few very fine final projects this week - congratulations! I hope that I'll see some of you in my Intermediate class (Music 8) next year, and that many of you will consider other music classes. Email me if you have any questions about other music department offerings.

Have a great summer!

Missing Projects? (This time, for real!)

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:36:10 GMT

Unlike a message I posted here on a related topic earlier this week, this one is actually relevant - and possibly very important - for students taking electronic music classes this quarter.

We have now completed all three electronic music final exam sessions, at which we heard final projects for both Intro to Electronic Music classes and for the Intermediate Electronic Music class. There were a lot of fine projects, by the way!

However, several students who have been active in the electronic music classes did not show up to their finals, or make alternate arrangements - and this means they have submitted no final project. According to course green sheets, I must assign a failing grade if you don't complete a final project. So, if you have a project you need to contact me IMMEDIATELY - and by "immediately" I mean within the next hour or two following the posting and emailing of this message.

Dan Mitchell

Last-minute lab time for Intermediate Electronic Music students

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:55:11 GMT

For those students in the intermediate class, you may be able to pick up a bit of final lab time during the 9:15-11:15 final exam session for the Intro class on Friday - but no guarantees.

Probable Open Lab Midday on Tuesday

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:03:58 GMT

It is my plan to open the electronic music lab for about two hours today (Tuesday) starting at around 11:30 or 12:00.

Dan Mitchell's spring 2009 final exam week schedule

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:42:30 GMT

As of Monday, this is my final exam week schedule - subject to change as the week continues of course.

Monday, June 22

9:30-10:20	Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10.
10:30-11:30	Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10.
11:30-12:30	Office hour (may be in A91 for part of the time)
12:30-2:10	Music 51 regular class meeting - including test #2.

Tuesday, June 23

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the 9:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30, but you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
Later	I hope to provide a couple hours of open lab for electronic music students later in the morning or in the early afternoon. Watch the electronic music web site for more information.

Wednesday, June 24

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the 10:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30, but you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
11:30-1:30	Final exam session for the MW Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class. Final project playback

Thursday, June 25

All day

I have no final exams scheduled on Thursday, but I will likely be on campus at least part of the day. Please email me if you want to make an appointment ot meet.

Friday, June 26

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the Friday-only Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class. Final project playback and test #2.
11:30-1:30	Final exam session for the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class. Final project playback

Change to FRIDAY CLASS schedule only

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:30:10 GMT

Earlier I announced to the FRIDAY CLASS ONLY that our meeting plans for the last class meeting of the quarter before finals week might change. (The scheduled final exam session will take place as indicated in the class calendar.)

On Friday, June 19 we will have a shortened class meeting that will last only two hours. The lab will only be open for those two hours on that date, and the session will be entirely devoted to work time on final projects. The actual meeting time on that date will be 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.

Please note the following:

This week's class on Friday, June 12 is not affected by this change. We will meet according to the normal schedule this week.
Because of this change the test that would have been schedule for Friday, June 19 will instead take place during our final exam session, along with the scheduled playback of your final projects.
This change has no affect on other classes - neither the MW Intro to Electronic Music class nor the TTh Intermediate Electronic Music classes are affected.

More information during this week's class meeting on Friday, June 12.

Music 51: Quiz 4

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:25:17 GMT

Quiz 4 (Intro to Electronic Music only) is due as follows:

MW Class - due on Wednesday, June 17
Friday Class- due on Friday, June 12

For the Friday class, I am aware that I did not sufficiently cover the concepts of "drop" and "cycle" in class before assigning the quiz. Please answer those questions a best you can - I'll compensate in the grading of the quiz and we'll go over these topics in class this week.

Doing your bit for participatory democracy

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:29:44 GMT

So, have you written to your legislators yet about your position on the California budget crisis?

A Critical Time to Speak Up About the California Budget

Dan Mitchell — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:26:46 GMT

I cannot and will not tell you what point of view to hold or express regarding the current budget crisis in California. However, given the tremendously high stakes for all Californians and especially for students in California Community Colleges, if there was ever a time when it was important that you communicate your concerns and your position to the governor and legislative leaders that time is NOW.

I urge you in the strongest terms to take a few minutes to craft a concise message briefly describing your position on the California budget and briefly mentioning who you are and why you care about how this issue is handled - and to then sent it to as many of the following as you think appropriate.

Don't wait for someone else to do it!

Legislative Leadership

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.445.2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
E-mail link: http://gov.ca.gov/interact

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
P.O. Box 942849
Room 219
Sacramento, CA 94249-0047
Phone: 916.319.2047
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Speaker/

Assembly Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee (after June 1)
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA
Phone: 916.319.2033
Fax: 916.319.2133
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/33/?p=email

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4006
Fax: 916.323.2263
E-mail link: http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD06
(Responses to district constituents only)

Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth
State Capitol, Room 305
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4036
Fax: 916.447.9008
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/36/contact_us.aspx
(Responses to district constituents only)

Local Legislators

Assemblymember Paul Fong (Capitol Office)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0022
Phone: 916.319.2022
Fax: 916.319.2122
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a22/

Assemblymember Fong (District Office)
274 Castro St., Suite 202
Mountain View, CA 94041
Phone: 408.277.2003
Fax: 408.277.2084

Senator Elaine Alquist (Capitol Office)
State Capitol, Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4013
Fax: 916.324.0283
E-mail: senator.alquist@sen.ca.gov
Senator Alquist (San Jose Office)
100 Paseo de San Antonio, #209
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408.286.8318

Conference Committee on the Budget

Assemblymember Noreen Evans, Chair
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0007
Phone: 916.319.2007
Fax: 916.319.2107
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a07/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, Vice Chair
State Capitol, Room 5035
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4040
Fax: 916.327.3522
E-mail link: http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD40
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0040
Phone: 916.319.2040
Fax: 916. 319.2140
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/MEMBERS/A40/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Kevin de León
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0045
Phone: 916.319.2045
Fax: 916.319.214
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Jim Nielsen
State Capitol, Room 6031
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.319.2002
Fax: 916.319.2102
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/2/default.aspx?p=email
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Roger Niello
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.319.2005
Fax: 916.319.2105
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/5/?p=email

Senator Robert Dutton
State Capitol, Room 5094
Sacramento, CA
Phone: 916.651.4031
Fax: 916.327.2272
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/31/contact_us.aspx

Senator Mark Leno
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4003
Fax: 916.445.4722
E-mail: senator.leno@senate.ca.gov

Senator Alan Lowenthal
State Capitol, Room 2032
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4027
Fax: 916.327.9113
E-mail: senator.lowenthal@sen.ca.gov

Senator Mimi Walters
State Capitol, Room 3082
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4033
Fax: 916.445.9754
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/33/contact_me.aspx
(Responses to district constituents only)

No afternoon open lab NEXT Thursday, May 28

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:25:11 GMT

No one will be available to monitor the open lab session scheduled for NEXT Thursday, May 28. (The session for today WILL still take place.) There is a possibility that I'll be able to fill in and keep the lab open a bit later than the 2:10 conclusion of the Music 8 class that day, but this is not certain. Watch for an announcement.

Other scheduled lab sessions are unaffected by this.

Notes from May 8 and 11 - Electronic Music History

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:33:31 GMT

I have posted notes from the most recent electronic music history class presentation - the material that will be on quiz 2 and test 1: Notes from May 8 and 11 Classes.

Dates - Some Changes

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:46:33 GMT

I have specified/clarified some deadline dates for the Friday-only Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class. Several things happen next Friday, May 15:

Take home quiz 2 is due at the start of the period. (Print it TODAY and get started early.)
Assignment 4 after we review the quiz.
Test 1 during the last 45 minutes of the period. (Based on quizzes 1 and 2.)

Some tentative dates have been posted for the Monday-Wednesday class. I'll review them during class next week.

First Intermediate Electronic Music Quiz Posted

Dan Mitchell — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:45:44 GMT

The first (ever!) Music 8 quiz has been posted. Go to the Quizzes link in the Intermediate Electronic Music section of the sidebar, click the link, and print the quiz. (You must hand in your responses on my form - I will not accept your quiz if you do not do this. Print it today!)

The quiz concerns harmonics and sidebands, two topics we have previously covered in class. I will do a review of these topics in class next Tuesday, the class meeting prior to the due date for the take-home quiz.

Music 51: First take-home quiz due this week!

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:03:22 GMT

The first take-home quiz is due at the start of your Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class this week:

For the MW class: DUE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 AT START OF CLASS.
For the Friday class: DUE ON FRIDAY, MAY 8 AT START OF CLASS.

You need to print out your copy of the quiz right away. Click the Music 51 quizzes link in the left sidebar, then click on Quiz 1, then print out the form. Write your answers directly on this form and turn it in on the due date in class. (I do not accept quizzes that are not on the form.)

Class notes from 5/1/09

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:32:37 GMT

I have posted my class notes from the lecture on electronic music history of 5/1/09. The notes are a bit cryptic but may contain some information that you missed. See: Some class notes from 5/1/09. (This presentation had to do with the Theremin.)

Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music - Wednesday Class Meeting 4/29

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:50:48 GMT

I sent a group email and a note was placed on the classroom door today (Wednesday, April 29) to announce that I had to cancel the Wednesday 12:30-2:10 Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class today. I had an off-campus situation that I had to deal with and it came up with no advance notice.

I plan to be back on campus on Thursday and to meet all of my other classes this week according to the normal schedule. I'll announce some schedule changes to the class that was canceled today - with the plan of getting us back on schedule quickly. Thanks for your understanding.

Class Notes: April 27

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:45:46 GMT

I have posted some April 27, 2009 Class Notes at the web site. This session had to do with very early electronic instruments and their precursors.

Reminder: Some Upcoming Deadlines

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:08:41 GMT

For the two Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music classes assignment #2 is due:

at the end of the period this Friday for the Friday-only class.
on Monday, April 27 for the MW class.

For the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class, assignment #3 (subtractor) is due

at the end of class on Thursday, April 23

Reminder: Attendance Policies

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:00:20 GMT

Most everyone seems to understand the attendance policies well, given that the vast majority of you are arriving on time (or earlier!) for class, contacting me in cases of emergencies, and making up any missed time by attending at alternate class session.

A few reminders for those who might have missed this...

I check attendance every day.
After two unexcused absences you are subject to being dropped from the class.
Late arrival counts as half of an absence - so you could be dropped if you arrive late four times
If you arrive late you will be marked absent. It is up to you to let me know before the end of the period that you are here.

Music 51: First Assignment

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:08:49 GMT

Both the MW and the Friday classes have now spent the better part of the first week's class sessions quickly learning the basics of the Garage Band. Although this will be the only class time we'll spend on this very basic program, there is an assignment based on Garage Band and it is due during the second week of the term. It is due at the end of the Wednesday class session for the MW class and at the end of the Friday class session for the Friday section.

You can find the description of the assignment by clicking on the "Assignments" link in the Intro to Electronic Music section of the sidebar.