MUS-C 420

Music Composition in Video and

The Virtual World
Spring 2035
Professor: Austin Alexander (atalexander@osu.edu)
Office: 1620 Weigel Hall
Hours: M/W/F 8-10:15a, 2-4:15p
T/Th 9:05a-12:30p, 3:05-5:30p
Phone: (personal) 502-209-0665
(office) 614-292-4020
Class Times: Monday and Friday 6-8p
Class Location: 1204 Weigel Hall
Required Materials:
The Craft of Musical Composition: Book 1&2
o Paul Hindemith
A Composers Guide to Game Music
o Winifred Phillips
Staff paper
Pencil
Highlighters (pref. pink or yellow)
Course Description:
This course is designed for students who desire to
go into a composition career in either video games or in

film. The course will discuss basics of ensemble

composition as well as delving into score study for
certain classic movies and video games as well.
Course Objectives:
Able to compose a piece or conduct an ensemble
based off only analyzing the scene or the topic of
the video game.
Must be able to analyze thoroughly a score from at
least 3 different genres.
Must complete an alternate score for both 1 video
game title and a TV show or Movie.
Must perform a recital of one or both of the
alternate scores composed.
Assignments:
Assignments will be assigned a week in advance
and will be due at the end of the week at the
beginning of class on Friday and will not be
accepted after the first 5 minutes of class.
I will be doing extra credit assignments
periodically during the class this extra credit
follows the same guidelines that the normal
assignments do but can be turned in all day the
following Friday.
Tests and Exams:
2 Tests will be presented in this course. The first
being an analysis of a previous composition that
will be given to you on the Monday of that week

and then will be due the Friday of that week. The

second test will be a performance of a clip from a
classic TV show and an arrangement from you.
The Mid-Term exam will be the alternate scores for
your 2 different genres. The Final exam will be
your recital of one of the alternate scores.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory but I realize that life
happens and excused absences are as follow; Dr.s
excuse, death in immediate family up to grandparents,
and weather issues preventing travel to class.
First two unexcused absences are not held against
you but every sequential unexcused absence afterword
will be 15 points deducted from your final grade. Seeing
as we only meet twice a week I assume I will not have
any issues with this but do wish to warn you if such a
matter becomes an issue.
Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or helping others
to commit these acts will not be tolerated. Academic
dishonest will result in severe disciplinary action
including, but not limited to, failure of the student
assessment item or course, and possibly dismissal from
OSU. If you are not sure what constitutes academic
dishonesty, read The Student Handbook, or ask your
instructor.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

In compliance with the ADA, all students with a
documented disability are entitled to reasonable
accommodations and services to support their academic
success and safety. Though a request for services may
be made at any time, services are best applied when
they are requested at or before the start of the
semester. To receive accommodations and services the
student should immediately contact the Disability
Services Coordinator in the Office of Academic and
Career Services, 223 Allie Young Hall, 606-783-5188.
Campus Safety Statement:
Emergency response information will be discussed
in class. Students should familiarize themselves with
the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes
necessary. You should notify your instructor at the
beginning of the semester if you have special needs or
will require assistance during an emergency evacuation.
Students should familiarize themselves with emergency
response protocols at www.ohiostate.edu/emergency.
Grading Structure:
Entire course is worth 500 points.
2 Exams = 100 points each
2 Tests = 50 points each
8 Assignments = 25 points each

Grading Scale:
500-450=A
449-400=B
399-350=C
349-300=D
299-0=E
Course Calendar:
January 8th Introduction of Class (Ice Breakers)
January 12th Chapter 1 Reading
January 15th No class (assignment 1 TV score analysis)
January 19th Discussion on history of TV scoring
January 22nd Chapter 2 Reading
January 26th Assignment 1 Due
January 29th Discussion of Assignment 1 and Playings
February 2nd Chapter 3 Reading
February 5th Assignment 2 (Score Analysis 1) handout
February 9th Brief discussion of John Williams
February 12th John Williams Concert Mandatory
February 16th Assignment 2 Due
February 19th Test 1 Assigned
February 23rd Test 1 Due
February 26th Assignment 3 Williams Score Analysis
March 2nd Chapter 4 reading
March 5th Mid-Terms Begin
March 9th Mid-Terms Continue and Assignment 3 due.
March 12th and 16th Spring Break Read Chapter 5
March 19th Assignment 4 Video Game analysis

March 23rd Sqauresot field trip

March 26th Assignment 5 write up on Squaresoft
March 30th Assignment 4 due
April 2nd Video Game Analysis Day
April 6th Assignment 5 due
April 9th Assignment 6 Video Game Practice Comp
April 13th No Class (birthday)
April 16th Assignment 7 Faculty Recital Essay
April 20th Assignment 6 due
April 23rd Movie Day
April 27th Assignment 7 due
April 30th Test 2 assigned
May 4th Test 2 due
May 7th Assignment 8 1st alternate score for recital
May 11th No in class meeting continue on scores
May 14th No in class meeting continue on scores
May 21st Assignment 8 due
May 25th Finals Start
May 28th - Finals End