Mills College Offers an MFA in Electronic Music

Looking for a creative and innovative way to make music? Mills College in Oakland, CA offers an MFA in Electronic Music! This degree program is designed for musicians who want to explore the creative potential of new technology in music composition, performance, and sound design.

Mills College

Mills College is a small, private, liberal arts college in Oakland, California, USA. It is one of the oldest women’s colleges in the country and is known for its progressive history. The school offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including an MFA in Electronic Music.

Overview

Mills College is a private liberal arts college in Oakland, California. It was founded as the Young Ladies’ Seminary in 1852 by Sarah Jane Foster and her husband, Cyrus Mills. The school became co-educational in 1865 and began to grant undergraduate degrees in 1871. Mills was one of the first historically womens’ colleges in the United States to offer bachelor’s and graduate degrees. The school offers an MFA in Electronic Music, one of only a handful of such programs nationwide.

History

Mills College is a liberal arts college located in Oakland, California. It was founded in 1852 as the Young Ladies’ Seminary and is currently one of the oldest women’s colleges in the United States. The school became coeducational in 2015, and now offers an MFA in Electronic Music.

The MFA in Electronic Music

The Mills College offers an MFA in Electronic Music and this degree is designed for composers, performers, and sound artists who want to explore the creative potential of electronic music and sound. The program emphasizes the use of technology in the creative process, and provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to create works of electronic music and sound art.

What You’ll Study

Mills College’s MFA program in electronic music is designed for composers and performers who want to create and perform new works employing technology. The program emphasizes creative risks, collaboration, and experimentation.

In the first year of the program, you’ll take courses that will introduce you to various approaches to composition and performance with technology. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading new-music ensembles, including the Mills College Contemporary Performance Ensemble and Ensemble in Residence.

In your second year, you’ll focus on your chosen area of concentration—composition or performance—and complete a thesis project. Recent thesis projects have included live-electronic works for dancers, entirely acousmatic PhD-level research into Just Intonation tuning systems, and avant-garde rock operas.

The Mills MFA in Electronic Music program is unique in its commitment to bringing together different approaches to music making. We believe that by encouraging dialogue between performers and composers, we can create a more vibrant musical community and expand the sonic possibilities of the 21st century.

Curriculum

The MFA in Electronic Music at Mills College is a two-year program that emphasizes experimental and innovative approaches to music composition and sound design. The program offers a unique combination of academic and practical training, with an emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The curriculum includes courses in electronic music composition, sound design, acoustics, recording technology, music history, and music theory. Students also have the opportunity to participate in ensembles and perform in concerts. In addition to their coursework, students must complete a thesis project in their final year.

Admission Requirements

You will need to submit the following materials:

-A completed graduate application form
-A $50 non-refundable processing fee
-One official transcript from each college or university attended
-Three letters of recommendation
-A brief statement of purpose (1-2 double spaced pages) discussing your reasons for wanting to study electronic music and your musical goals
-A writing sample (10 pages maximum) on a music related subject of your choice
-An audio portfolio consisting of 3-5 pieces of original composition or performance. Portfolios may be submitted on CD, DVD, or via an online streaming service such as Soundcloud. If you are submitting a DVD, please indicate the format (NTSC or PAL) and region code.

Why Mills College?

Mills College offers an MFA in Electronic Music, and is the perfect place for students who want to pursue a career in the music industry. The program is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the music industry. Mills College is located in Oakland, California, which is a hotbed for the music industry.

Faculty

Mills College has had a long history of excellence in composition and music performance, and our faculty are among the most innovative and accomplished in the country. The electronic music program at Mills is led by world-renowned composer and musician Miller Puckette, who is known for his work on interactive computer systems for music composition, performance, and research. Other faculty members include composers Jon Appleton, Laetitia Sonami, Brenda Hutchinson, Jasun Martz, Peter Whitehead, and improvisational vocalist Diamanda Galás.

Facilities

The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a 5.1 mix room, a main performance/rehearsal hall, and various studios. The college has a Yamaha CFX full concert grand piano, a Genneman baby grand piano, and 4 upright pianos. There are also several Harpsichords on campus.

Alumni

Some of our distinguished alumni include:

-Aaron Silberstein (’15), music producer, sound designer, and engineer working in Los Angeles. Credits include Mattel, Fox Sports, and Disney.
-Adrian Galvin (’13), better known as Coconut Oil, is a Brooklyn based musician and producer. Adrian has worked with Blood Orange, King Krule, and Connan Mockasin.
-Ajayi Jackson (’14), a multimedia artist based in Oakland. His work encompasses video, sound, performance and installation. He has exhibited work at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, BAMPFA and Mills College Art Museum.

How to Apply

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MFA in Electronic Music, you must submit the following:

-A completed application form and non-refundable application fee
-A creative portfolio consisting of works demonstrating your experience and skills in electronic music composition and/or performance. The portfolio may include up to 10 minutes of recorded music, scores, patches, Max/MSP or other software examples, as well as links to online examples. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency.
-Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your creative work.
-A current resume or curriculum vitae.
-A written statement of purpose describing your background in music and your artistic goals for the program.

FAQs

-What is the Mills College Electronic Music program?
The Mills College Electronic Music program is an MFA degree program that focuses on the composition and performance of electronic music.

-What are the requirements for the Mills College Electronic Music program?
The requirements for the Mills College Electronic Music program include completing a bachelor’s degree, taking a certain number of courses in electronic music composition and theory, as well as completing a thesis project.

-How long does it take to complete the Mills College Electronic Music program?
The Mills College Electronic Music program can be completed in two years.

-Where is Mills College located?
Mills College is located in Oakland, California.