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​Scoring for Video Games

Dates

6/17/2024 - ​7/3/2024

This is a virtual class.

Discipline

Music

Description

Learn to compose music for video games from some of the most renowned composers in the industry. Compose music in a variety of styles while learning to navigate through the unique challenges of creating dynamic music that can adapt to gameplay. Activities include composing loops, scoring cinematic cutscenes, and crafting layered dynamic cues for a variety of gameplay scenarios. Your work will culminate in a public showcase.

Who Should Take This Class

Composers and musicians with a background in concert and/or popular music who are interested in learning how to compose music for video games. Anyone with a passion for video game music will enjoy this course!

Required Application Materials (please submit materials in a single document)

  • Personal statement: address your musical background and your interest in this course
  • Portfolio: submit a link to at least one piece of music you have created. This can include a recording of a live performance of a concert work or a digitally produced composition. Submit works that best represent your abilities as a composer.

Course Coordinator

Mich​ael Krikorian (Fresno) is an assistant professor of piano and music technology. As a pianist, he has won top prizes in numerous competitions and performed around the globe. He composed the original score for the video game The Fidelio Incident (2017), the short film Motel Room (2023), and performed on the soundtrack of Screwdriver (2023). He is a proud ambassador for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and serves as president-elect for the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT).

COURSE NUMBER/CREDITS

Undergraduate: MUSIC 420, 3 units
Graduate/Post-baccalaureate: MUSIC 620, 3 units

MATERIALS FEE

You will not pay a materials fee to Summer Arts, but you will likely need to purchase software for this course. We will provide more information soon.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Composers and musicians who have a background in concert or popular music and are interested in learning how to compose for video games are highly encouraged to apply. However, anyone with a passion for music and video games should consider as well! It is recommended that all applying students know how to read music.

HOW TO APPLY

  1. Submit a link on YouTube or another site to one to three examples of music you have composed. PDF scores of examples may be included appropriate to the medium. 
  2. Submit/upload the materials listed in step one when you apply online by June 7, 2021.

COURSE COORDINATOR

Professor Kenneth Froelich


Guest Artists

Jason Hayes

Jason Hayes

A multiple award-winning composer, Jason Hayes is well known for his long-standing relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, having contributed music to their games set in the popular worlds of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo. He was the lead composer of the original release of World of Warcraft, one of the most successful online games in the world.

Edouard Brenneisen

Edouard Brenneisen

Edouard Brenneisen is an award-winning composer for video games, film, and television. His compositions include acclaimed titles such as Overwatch 2, New World, Call of Duty Mobile. His award nominations inlcude the HMMA and G.A.N.G. awards. He has worked on the animation series Yu-Gi-Oh!, the David Attenborough documentary Micro Monsters 3D, the mini-series Cybergeddon, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, and the 48th Annie Awards ceremony. A Berklee graduate with French roots, he possesses a penchant for crafting evocative melodies that narrate compelling tales. ​

Garry Schyman

Garry Schyman

Gary Schyman is a BAFTA-winning composer who scored the BioShock game universe (including BioShock 2 and BioShock Infinite), as well as dozens of hit games, films, and television productions. He scored games like Destroy All Humans!, Resistance: Retribution and Dante’s Inferno, Voyeur, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Schyman’s film and television credits span every genre, including The A-Team and Magnum, P.I., Tornado!, Horseplayer, Spooky House, and more recently Itsy Bitsy. Among his most recent work is the Square Enix game Forspoken released in January of 2023.​

Peter Scaturro

Peter Scat​urro

Peter Scaturro is a Grammy-nominated director of Music at Sony Interactive Entertainment. He leads a team that develops interactive scores for PlayStation's top games including God of War and God of War: Ragnarok, which earned him two BAFTAs. He has produced the soundtracks of Ghost of Tsushima, as well as Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls by From Software in collaboration with Sony’s Japan Studio. His work on Death Stranding by Kojima Productions has been recognized with numerous awards. Before joining Sony, Scaturro's career involved producing records and composing music for television, film, and international advertising campaigns, laying the groundwork for his current collaborative role with composers, musicians, writers, and directors. Scaturro's approach to music in video games is centered around enhancing the gaming experience.

Christopher Larkin

Christopher Larkin

Christopher Larkin is an established composer and sound designer for video games and the moving image. His work and achievements include the score and sound effects for the hit indie title Hollow Knight, evocative indie point-and-click Tohu, and music for Cannes World Film Festival award-winning VR documentary Thin Ice VR.

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