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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

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

Eli Hoffberg

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
Description: Action/Adventure theme inspired by music from the Dark Knight Trilogy and some fantasy shows.

Sebastian Nycz

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
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

The media player is loading...
Description: I tried to compose and perform a piano piece using an 88 key MIDI controller and the piano roll inside my DAW. The piano sound is a virtual instrument with some basic effects.