Behind the Score

Learning Resources/Practical Application of Genre & Styles

Practical Application of Genre & Styles

Bridge the gap between music theory and real-world media scoring. designed for media composers of all levels, this practical course guides you through a diverse range of dramatic scenarios, teaching you how to adapt your musical toolkit to deliver high-impact cues for film, games, and modern media.

TM

Tim Maurice

Instructor

13 modules · 27 video lessons

Intermediate

What you will learn

Being a professional media composer means being ready to tackle any brief at any given time. In this fully hands-on course, we move beyond textbook concepts and dive straight into the "real-world" scenarios and dramatic situations you will face in the industry. From crafting triumphant Victory & Fanfare Bumpers and somber Failed Mission Themes to designing nostalgic Retro Arcade Results Music, you will practice interpreting the exact emotional needs of a scene. Along the way, you will master advanced compositional devices—such as the dramatic use of Augmented Chords, Cluster Voicings for suspense, and 12-Tone techniques—to build professional-grade tension and atmosphere. By the end of this course, you will have a versatile portfolio of practical techniques ready to apply to your next professional project.

  • Victory & Fanfare Bumpers
  • Failed Mission Themes
  • Retro Arcade Results Theme
  • Dramatic Usage of Augmented Chords
  • Cluster Voicing - Suspense
  • 12 Tone technique

Course Content

Previews Available
13 Modules27 Video Lessons52-Page Reading25 Audio Tracks

  • Course Overview
  • Course Materials [Score PDFs, Audio]
  • General Course Information

Requirements

While musicians without any educational background may benefit from our courses, we recommend having at least a basic knowledge of music theory concepts such as intervals, chords, and scales to ensure a smooth learning experience.

General course information

  • This course includes video lectures, audio examples, graphical analysis, and video playback of the scores. All course materials (music score pdfs, HD orchestral mock-up mp3's) can be downloaded upon purchase of the course.
  • When possible, we include chord symbols in the scores to help summarize the harmony.
  • For the sake of brevity and clarity, we use "condensed scores" for any large ensemble/orchestral writing.
  • Some specific musical notations (such as breath markings for winds and brass, harp tuning, piano pedaling, etc.) are not strictly conveyed in the scores.
  • In our course, we write all roman numerals uppercase and simply add the word "min" to indicate a minor harmony.

Instructor

Tim Maurice

Tim Maurice

Composer, Arranger, and Pianist

Tim produced music for a variety of independent film & media projects across New England, including “Searchdog,” a feature-length documentary about shelter dogs that are rehabilitated into certified search & rescue dogs. (Audience-voted “Best of Fest Selection” in the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival).

In addition to composing, Tim also served as music director, arranger, and pianist for the cabaret show “Never Far From Home” at Central Square Theater, which earned critical acclaim from The Boston Globe. He has worked with the North Cambridge Family Opera for the past several years, as an arranger and midi mockup artist.

He orchestrated for their production of “Flying High,” an opera with music by multi-instrumentalist/composer Graham Preskett and lyrics by writer John Kane. Tim also had the great fortune of working with Grammy-nominated jazz pianist/composer Taylor Eigsti, assisting with orchestration and score preparation for symphonic pieces for the concert performed by the Oakland Symphony Orchestra.

Tim Maurice's website

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