This page contains final compositions by students in Prof. Manzo's Electronic Music Composition class from B Term 2021.

Instructions for Students in Prof. Manzo's Class

Save your audio file as an MP3 with your name included in it (Example: MY_PIECE_MY_LAST_NAME.mp3)
- How to do this step
Click the Upload file link at the left and upload a file
- Copy the filename the Wiki gives you once it's uploaded (Example: File:MY_PIECE_MY_LAST_NAME.mp3)
Return to this page, and click the Edit button next to one of the "Your Name Here" sections below; Do not click the edit button at the top of the page.
Replace the placeholder FILENAME and descriptive text
Note the specific sources of inspiration (game titles, images)

'Note:' If you have more than one piece to showcase, duplicate (triplicate, etc.) all of the code beneath your name, but don't edit an additional Your Name Here section.

Braden Arnold

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Description: For this piece I was inspired by a game I am making as a final project for another class, which is a space heist adventure. I wanted to make something that sounds semi-futuristic, so I chose to use synth sounds that I made in the chiptune lab, and certain parts of the composition utilize randomness. The key for the piece was determined by a random number generator and a coin flip, and the notes and the order of those notes for specific instruments were also decided by a random number generator.

Ben Mangold

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I've wanted to make a piece that incorporates high level music theory concepts for a while, so I figured I would give it a shot here. I used metric modulation as well as complex chords and key changes in order to achieve this. As for previous topics discussed in the class that I incorporated, I sampled the saxophone part.

Nathan Dynko

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Description: A piece I created with chaotic emotion in mind; I had my roommate play a chord progression on some simple drums I made that I turned into a full-length piece. Purposefully, it grows more chaotic as it progresses. Hope to add lyrics in the future.

Jaden Smith-Borne

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Description: Inspired by the melancholy lyrics and energetic tone of Bad Apple, I wanted to make the song fit the subject matter.

Eli Hoffberg

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Description: After about an hour of thought, I decided it wouldn't be too big of a deal to write a piece in 3/4. I was very wrong about that, as I figured out while my brain kept telling me to make sections in 4/4, which I had to go back and fix when they didn't sound right. Honestly, through all the pain and suffering I put into this, I ended up having a lot of fun. For inspiration, I used Mario Kart OST and Kingdom Hearts OST, and I took some midi samples of both and included them, albeit slightly edited to fit my project. I used some of the sounds I recorded for project 5 as part of this piece as well. I also used some of the skills I learned in editing midi instruments on my labs and other assignments. This piece cannot be looped. Hope you enjoy :)

Duncan Soiffer

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Description: What's always been most appealing to me about the prospect of composing music is making tracks with simple but very emotionally sad/nostalgic/melancholy feels. This class was my introduction to music composition, so for my final project I wanted to give this my best shot. Seeing as the only instrument I know how to play is the trumpet, and I am a narcissist, my choice of instrumentation is obvious. In more seriousness, I wanted to give a brassy melancholy feel a try, sort of like looking back upon something that was once great that has now been ruined, literally or metaphorically. As this was the final project for the class, I wanted to try writing some big, loaded chords completely by myself (previously, I had mostly or partly gone off of chord progression charts to form the basis for my compositions, since I don't know much music theory). With a trumpet carrying the piece forward, interrupted by simpler, more solitary phrases, I intended to introduce a contemplative feel to juxtapose the confident lead tinged by something heavier. The ending is meant to be the hardest-hitting part of this, though ultimately I don't think I accomplished exactly what I was going for there, though the gradual detuning resolving to an in tune final note does give the piece a sense of resolution I like. There are still a number of things I would change if I had more time, but alas, time is fleeting and glory is transient. We will all turn to ruin someday.

Adam Kalayjian

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Description: After listening to a lot of atmospheric/dark/electronic music from the Boneworks game soundtrack, I was inspired to make this piece using a slower tempo and focus on developing a dark sound using an upright piano and several synths.

Devin Patel

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Description: 1:00 AM the day before the presentation I decided, right as I finished the project, to scrap it all and start over from scratch because I didn't like the song. Thus, this was written from 1AM to 5AM Tuesday morning. I don't know what I'm doing with my life. there was no inspiration. only pain

Jacob Byrnes

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Description: Action/Adventure theme inspired by music from the Dark Knight Trilogy and some fantasy shows.

Sebastian Nycz

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Description: This is a piece inspired by a lot of my favorite music I usually see described as "dungeon synth". I stole most of the instrumentation from one of my previous works, but this time I put a lot more thought into refining the arrangement and mixing of the song.

Kai Nakamura

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Description: For this piece I took several short unfinished projects that I had made before taking this class and remixed them all together in the style of a chiptune song.

Benjamin Mills

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Description: I wanted to make a pop song similar to "STAY" by The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber, and "One Right Now" with Post Malone & The Weeknd. Currently this track is without the vocals. I plan to record vocals very soon.

Alex Mosley

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Description: I tried to compose and perform a piano piece using an 88 key MIDI controller and the piano roll inside my DAW