Peter Hamlin teaches theory, electronic music, and composition at Middlebury. He is an active composer who has written numerous works for orchestra, band, choir, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, solo voice, music theater, and electronic media. He received his BA in music at Middlebury in 1973 where he studied composition with George Todd. He was a radio producer/host at KPBS-FM in San Diego from 1974-1980, and from 1980-1990 hosted a classical music program on KUNI-FM in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He also served as fine arts host on Iowa Public Television. He received an MM degree in composition at the University of Northern Iowa in 1989, studying there with Peter Michaelides. His PhD is from the Eastman School of Music where he studied composition with Joseph Schwantner and Samuel Adler. He taught at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, from 1992 to 2004, and was appointed to the Middlebury faculty in 2004.

Here’s a recent student project, a collaborative composition/production by senior Middlebury music majors Jack Tipper and Mike McCann.

Watch the world premiere of Soul Mate and One Woman One Man from the song cycle by Peter Hamlin. Susanne Peck, soprano and Cynthia Huard, piano. Performed March 13, 2011.

This is one of several of Professor Hamlin’s pieces being premiered this year. On April 10 at 3:00 pm the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensembles will perform Meditation on Elzick’s Farewell and Singing Bowl.  On April 22 at 8:00 pm, the College Orchestra performance will include a piece by Professor Hamlin, as well as premieres by Noah Silverstein ‘11 and Nicholas Tkach ‘11.

Watch Music Department chair, Peter Hamlin and music major Philippe Bronchtein perform their original electronic music at 51 Main

Courses Taught

Course Description

Storytelling with Sound: The Sound Designer's Art
In this course, students will learn about the evocative storytelling power of sound and its use in music, theater, film, television, video games and narrative media like radio and podcasting. The course is structured around weekly creative projects and 4 larger projects exploring the possibilities of expressive sound. Students will acquire a foundation of knowledge in acoustics and recording techniques and will work with sound recording, processing, and mixing tools along with basic video editing tools. The course will also explore a wide variety of sound design examples in popular films and TV shows and other media, with opportunities for analytical writing.

Terms Taught

Spring 2024

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

Music Theory II: Diatonic Theory
This course is an in-depth technical study of the materials of music, a study which expands one’s ability to analyze and create music and to understand different musical styles. We will cover harmonic materials, introduce musical form, and work with traditional compositional skills. These techniques are applied to the analysis of classical music, jazz and popular music. (MUSC 0160 or passing score on the MUSC 0160 placement exam.) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Terms Taught

Fall 2019

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

Music Theory III: Chromatic Theory
This course is a continuation of MUSC 0260. Students will study more advanced harmonic devices including modulation and chromaticism, jazz harmony, and post-tonal techniques. In-depth analysis of classical music, jazz, and popular music supports a more advanced study of musical form. (MUSC 0260) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Terms Taught

Spring 2020

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

Independent Study
Admission by approval. Please consult published departmental guidelines and paragraph below.

Terms Taught

Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021

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Course Description

Senior Work
Senior work is not required of all music majors and joint majors. However, students interested in and eligible for departmental honors (see guideline above, in "Departmental Honors" section) may propose one or two-semester Senior Work projects. Projects may be in history, composition, theory, ethnomusicology, performance, or electronic music, and should culminate in a written presentation, a public performance, or a combination of the two. MUSC0704 does not count as a course toward fulfillment of the music major.

Project and budget proposals for Independent Study and Senior Work should be submitted by the previous April 1 for fall and winter term projects, and the previous October 15 for spring term projects. Budget proposals will not be considered after those dates. Project proposals will be considered after the deadline but are more likely not to be approved due to previous commitments of faculty advisors or other scheduling reasons.

Terms Taught

Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021

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Course Description

Live Coding - Computer Programming as Musical Performance
In this course we will learn the art of live coding, an electronic music improvisation/performance practice in which the computer programmer creates music in real time. Live coding is an excellent introduction to computer programming for beginners, and also offers opportunities for more advanced programmers. Students will learn the techniques of live coding, basics of sound design and acoustics, and fundamentals of music theory. Class projects will include solo and group performances and recordings. All students will need a laptop computer (Windows or Mac) with a reasonable amount of free disc space. No previous music or coding experience required.

Terms Taught

Winter 2021, Winter 2022

Requirements

ART, WTR

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Course Description

Visualizing Sound - Creating Animated Computer Art from Music
In this course we explore the many ways that sound and music can be transformed into animated computer art using a software tool called Touch Designer. The project-driven course will offer a series of creative projects that explore various approaches to the topic. In the class, we will learn about and apply concepts of music theory, acoustics, and the psychology of music, as well as computer programming techniques used within Touch Designer. Students will need a laptop computer (Windows or Mac) with ample storage space. No previous music or coding experience required.

Peter Hamlin, Christian A. Johnson Professor Emeritus of Music at Middlebury, is a Middlebury alum who has worked as a radio host/producer, TV host, composer, performer, and music professor. At Middlebury, he taught courses in music theory, composition, electronic music, and served as Music Department Chair for many years./

Terms Taught

Winter 2023, Winter 2024

Requirements

WTR

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