De Anza College Electronic Music Web Site

Slight Schedule Change Regarding Today's Open Lab

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:37 GMT

There WILL be open lab today at 2:30. However, I must close the lab between the end of the 12:30 class and the start of the 2:30 open lab. Students from the 12:30 class will have to leave at the end of the class period and then return at 2:30 when the open lab will start. If you arrive before 2:30 and the lab is still locked, stick around - it should re-open soon.

Take-Home Quizzes

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:06:09 GMT

The Friday-only class has its first take home quiz this week, and it will be assigned in the MW class next week. These quizzes are based on information I present in class only and are typically due at the class section following my presentation. The first quiz for the Friday class will be due at the start of the period next Friday.

You can find the quizzes at the Quizzes links in the sidebar of the web site. You are required to print out this form and write your answers on it and submit the completed quiz by the deadline. I do not accept quizzes that are not of the printed form, so print early and let me know right away if you encounter any technical problems with the printout.

Assignment Deadlines and Upcoming Holiday

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:03:21 GMT

In the middle third of term - which is where we are now - it can sometimes seem like have fewer immediate time pressures. However, in about two weeks both Music 51 classes will be affected by the "Presidents Weekend" holidays. Campus will be closed on both Friday, February 17 and Monday, February 20.

The effect on the Friday-only section of the class is significant - we essentially lose an entire week of class, so when we come back we'll be about a week behind the Monday/Wednesday class. (The holiday affects that class also, but it will still meet once during the week of the Monday holiday.) When the Friday class returns from this holiday a week later, we will immediately be in the final third of the term... with a lot of work yet do do and starting a bit behind the MW class.

So... expect me to push the Friday class forward a bit during the next few class meetings. You'll need to stay on top of class work, avoid absences, and even possibly use the lab outside of the Friday class time.

Schedule Change This Week for Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:13:25 GMT

There is a change to this week's schedule that affects students enrolled in the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class. Because Music Department faculty have scheduled a "flex day" activity for this Thursday, February 2 in the afternoon, the Music 8 class will not meet this Thursday and the room will not be available to students.

This does not affect any of the class meetings for Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music classes - all of those classes will meet on their regular schedules.

Students in any electronic music class can get extra lab time during the other class meetings this week and during the Wednesday afternoon open lab.

Assignment 2 and the MW Class

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:05:51 GMT

We are just a bit behind in the MW class at this point, so I am delaying the playback of assignment 2 until the start of the period on Wednesday this week - you may play it then without a late penalty. If you aren't certain that you'll be finished by then if you only can work during class time... come in on Tuesday at 12:30 to 2:10 for some open lab during the Intermediate class.

Updated Winter 2012 Office Hours

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:13:42 GMT

Monday
8:30-9:20

Tuesday
11:30-12:20

Wednesday
8:30-9:20

Thursday
11:30-12:20

Friday
9:30-10:20 by appt.

Need Extra Lab Time

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:38:28 GMT

If you need/want more time that is available during your regular class, there are several times when you can come to the lab and work outside of your class.

You may use the lab during any of the other electronic music class sessions, as long as workstations are open. Come in about five minutes after a class starts to see which computers are vacant. Classes meet as follows:

MTWTh at 12:30-2:15
Friday at 10:30-2:15

There is also an open lab session on Wednesday afternoons between about 2:15 and 3:45 or so.

The Friday Class "Floating Break"

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:35:04 GMT

In case this is your first day in the Friday-only Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class (or if you need a reminder), here is how we voted to handle the scheduling of our class break.

Between about 12:00 noon and 12:30 you may take a "floating break" if you wish. I will not introduce any new material during this half hour period, but you are welcome to stay for the entire time and continue to work on class projects. If you wish, you may leave the room for up to 15 minutes during this half hour period. (While the "floating break" portion of the course is 30 minutes long, you may not take a full 30 minute break.)

Interested in Joining the Band?

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:51:40 GMT

The De Anza Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all students who play a band instrument. There is still room for you to join. I just received the following message from the conductor, Mr. Russell:

... Symphonic Winds is currently 33 members strong and I am very excited about its potential this quarter as we are hosting the NCCC Honor Band in February. For better balance, we have the following needs for additional players: flute, clarinet, trumpet and percussion. Of course, we welcome all wind band players. Please spread the word...

Welcome to the Winter 2012 Term!

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:02:25 GMT

Thanks for signing up for one of my electronic music classes of the winter 2012 term. There are three electronic music class sections this term.

Music 51 - Introduction to Electronic Music, Monday/Wednesday section at 12:30-2:20.*
Music 51 - Introduction to Electronic Music, Friday-only section at 10:30-2:20.*
Music 8 - Intermediate Electronic Music, Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-2:20.*

* Note that each of these sections has been listed in the class schedule as having two components at different times. This can be confusing. The bottom line is that the days and times listed here are correct, and you must attend the full scheduled period for the class you are taking. (Because the schedule incorporates some "break time," I will discuss the options for scheduling this with each class at the first meeting.

Important First Week Information

All three sections were full before the term started, and there are some students on waiting lists. The number of students I can add is limited by the number of workstations in the classroom, but I will add students if there is room. Students who are on the wait list and in attendance have the first priority for adding. Other students who wish to add should attend the class meetings.

Be sure to bring a note book and something to write with. You must be prepared to take notes on material I present in class. I'll explain more about this at the first meeting of you class.

Carefully review the green sheet for your class. The green sheets - and all other course materials - are found here at this web site. Check the left sidebar for links. I will not hand out printed copies of the green sheet - though it is always available here at the web site, and you may print your own copy if you wish.

Regular attendance and on-time arrival for class are both critical for your success... and required. The green sheet explains more about my attendance policies.

Students who miss a single class meeting during week one without contacting me are subject to being dropped from the class when other students are on the waiting list and trying to get in. If an emergency situation interferes with your attendance you must contact me immediately.

Enrollment for Winter 2012 Electronic Music Classes

Dan Mitchell — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:40:40 GMT

As of 12/30/2011 it appears that all Electronic Music class sections are full. If you would still like to get into a winter term electronic music class, consider the following:

Get your name on the waiting list for the section you want to take. If other registered students drop before the start of the term you may have an opportunity to take their place.
If you are on the waiting list but have still not been able to add the class when the term starts, be sure to come to the first class meeting. Students on the wait list have the highest priority for any available seats.
If you are not on the wait list, come to the first class meeting since I am often able to add some additional students at the start of the term.
Consider taking electronic music in the spring - but be aware that there will be one less section of Introduction to Electronic music then.

Fall 2011 Grades Posted

Dan Mitchell — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:05:13 GMT

I have finished grades for the fall 2011 Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music classes. Current students who are members of the web site will see a "Grades: MUSI 51" link in the sidebar after they log in.

Thanks for taking the class this quarter, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music in either the upcoming winter 2012 term or during the following spring 2012 term.

Additional Open Lab - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday (today!)

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:24:48 GMT

I believe that I will be able to offer some additional open lab time in A91 this afternoon at about 2:00. (I may be there just a bit earlier.) The lab may be open as long as about two hours.

Fall 2011 Final Exam Schedule

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:39:49 GMT

The last regular class meeting of the quarter is on Monday at 12:30-2:20. After this meeting, all that remains at the two scheduled final exam sessions:

For students in the MW 12:30-2:20 section, your final exam session is at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13.
For students in the Friday-only 10:30-2:20 section, your final exam session is at 9:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15.

Attendance at the exam session is required. You are required to attend the full two hours unless the class finishes early and I dismiss you. ~~The MW class final will only include playback of final projects. The Friday-only class final will also include test #2.~~ By popular request (!), the MW class will also take its test #2 at the final exam session.

Grades Update (21/2/11)

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:07:18 GMT

I updated online grade reports today to include new work submitted in the Friday class.

Grades Updated

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:48:16 GMT

I have updated the online grades records to include the first two quizzes and the first test.

Week 10 Office Hour Changes

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:19:54 GMT

Due to scheduling issues I will move my Monday, November 28 11:30 office hour to the following day at the same time: Tuesday, November 29 at 11:30. I will still meet my 8:30 office hour on Tuesday.

I will be available briefly at the start of the original Monday office hour.

Winter Quarter Electronic Music Classes

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:28:47 GMT

The electronic music program will be "firing on all cylinders" during the upcoming winter 2012 term. Registration began this week and classes begin in early January. Because there will be fewer sections in the spring term, it would be a good idea to sign up for an electronic music class during the winter term.

There will be two Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music classes:

Monday/Wednesday at 12:30-2:20*
Friday-only at 10:30-2:20*

There will also be one Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class:

Tuesday/Thursday at 12:30-2:20*

Finally, students who have completed both courses already may be able to sign up for Music 77: Special Projects and continue using the lab.

Friday Class Only - About Quizzes #3 and #4

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:03:01 GMT

Because quiz #3 requires me to present something in class before you can take the quiz, because you can complete quiz #4 without me presenting first, and because devoting class time to projects may be more critical now than devoting it to more "lecture..."

... I have reversed the sequence of quizzes #3 and #4. Quiz #4 is due at our NEXT meeting on the Friday following Thanksgiving break, and quiz #3 is due one week later, on the last regular class meeting before final exams week.

I'll announce more concerning quiz #4 in class.

Friday, November 18 - The Plan... and Variations

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:25:59 GMT

As we know, this is a very important class session for us today. We did not have class last week and will not meet next week, and when we return from Thanksgiving Break we will have only two more class meetings at which to complete remaining work including the final project.

With this in mind, as we have discussed, there is a lot of ground to cover today!

Subjects and activities on today's schedule include (though not necessarily in this order):

Anyone with assignment #4 to play back
Work time on assignment #5.
Assessment of #5 (near end of period).
Techniques for working with audio samples in Logic (for assignment #6).
~~Third electronic music history topic.~~*
Return the first test.
Assign take-home quiz #4 and announce change to quiz schedule.*
Review the schedule for remainder of the term.

Because of limited time and work left to accomplish, keep in mind our motto: Get it done first. Make it better later!

* See note above on this page for an update concerning this work.