In my masterclass yesterday at IMRO in Dublin, I was asked which books I would recommend for the aspiring media composer. In the lecture, I mentioned these four great books:
This is the first (in no particular order), Richard Bellis's The Emerging Film Composer.
Next, is Andy Hill's Scoring the Screen: The Secret Language of Film Music.
Then there is Guerrilla Film Scoring by Jeremy Borum.
Finally, there's On the Track by Fred Karlin. Fred was my teacher when I was in the ASCAP workshop a few years ago (OK, more than just a few).
Like this post? Check out my other music tech posts!
The Second Annual Dublin International Game Music Festival
Schedule of Events for Day Two (of three): April 30, 2016
At the RDS Auditorium (subject to minor changes - as of 4/2/16)
8:00 AM RDS center opens to iDIG Staff for pre show setup.
9:00 AM General admission doors open for first event.
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space, Artists Alley
As it was in day one: We'll have a wonderful collection of game artists showing off their creations. If you want to exhibit, contact zeldaconductor@gmail.com.
Daxter, by Ciaran Byrne
Iron Man, Meghan Stapleton
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - IMIRT
The association of indie Irish game developers will have demos running of their new games. Get sneak peeks at these works in progress.
Danny Moffit's "Floaty Ball!
Ian Munt's Gobblin's Grotto
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - GAME JAM!
Hosted by our Irish Game Developers, watch as they build games in real time!
Eimear Noone is an award winning Irish composer and conductor, resident in Malibu California, who splits her time between composing for video games, feature films, TV, commercials, and conducting classical and game music concerts. Eimear composed and conducted for the iconic video game, "World of Warcraft" and the recent expansion, "Warlords of Draenor." The score for "WoD" received the 2014 "Hollywood Music in Media Award" for "Best Video Game Score" and was nominated for 5 "Annual Game Music Awards," and “The 2015 ASCAP, Composer’s Choice Award.”
Arguably the world's current premier conductor of video game scores (both in the studio and in the concert hall), her credits include the most respected in the genre. In addition to "World of WarCraft," her credits include "Heroes of The Storm,'" "StarCraft II," "Diablo III." "Reaper of Souls," "Hearthstone," "Overwatch," and many more. "Diablo III," as one example, smashed the record in game sales by selling over 3.5 million copies in the first 24 hours alone. It also won the 2012 GDC award for best audio - which includes the award for music, the 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score, and a 2013 BAFTA Nomination for Original Score. This playlist exemplifies just a few of her performances as conductor for Blizzard Games.
In this seminar Eimear will discuss everything from the basics of conducting, beat patterns, and share her secrets about efficient stage and studio performance.
11:00 - 11:30, Planned Expo Break
11:30 - 1:00 RDS Auditorium, The European Premier of "Beep"
Beep is a documentary history of game sound from the Victorian arcades through to today, with a special focus on video game sound, but also including mechanical games and pinball. Beep is a feature-length film, a series of webisodes and DVD extras, a book, and a collection of resources here on this website. Beep began with a Kickstarter campaign in August/September 2014, and began filming in October 2014. Beep the film and book are scheduled for release in spring 2016.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Expo Time
Be sure to explore the Artists Alley, Game Booths, and more!
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM, RDS Auditorium The Spooney Bards, Straight from Belfast, they return to iDIG to bring their rock twist to your favorite game scores.
3:00 - 3:30 Auditorium, Meet Terran Gregory
We are pleased to welcome this special guest to the 2016 Dublin International Game Music Festival, award winning director for Blizzard Games, Terran Gregory.
Terran is a Project Director in Blizzard Entertainment’s Cinematics division, where he has been working on creating cutscenes, trailers, short films, and other visual media since joining the company in 2006. Terran creatively leads the World of Warcraft In-Game Cinematics team, which lets him pursue his two greatest passions: Filmmaking and Video games. Terran is eternally humbled and excited for every opportunity he gets to collaborate with the incredibly talented musicians of Blizzard Entertainment.
Terran will discuss his unique journey into the world of video games and share some of his most famous, stunning productions.
3:30 - 4:30 PM, The Composer and Director Relationship featuring Blizzard Composer Neal Acree and Director Terran Gregory, Moderated by Eimear Noone
Neal Acree, Photo by Fran Marshall
We are doubly blessed at iDIG 2016 to have this multiple award winning pair to discuss their many collaborations. Don't miss this rare opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes of how the images and music get put together.
4:30 - 5:00 RDS Auditorium, JJ McNamara Returns!
JJ McNamara, classical piano genius and avid game fan performs his version of his favorite game themes. Since performing at iDIG 2015, he has earned countless awards and won even more piano competitions. We are so pleased to have him return!
Here's JJ performing "Tetris" as Franz Liszt
5:00 - 6:00 PM, RDS Auditorium, Classroom Battles
Classroom Battles Go Sonic! A crowd favorite from 2015, they return with a vengeance to iDIG 2016 with there spin on the music from Sonic!
6:00 - 7:00 PM RDS Auditorium
The Triforce Quartet. Straight from sold out performances at PAX, VGL and the MAG Fest, returns to iDIG to put their unique stamp on game music!
The Second Annual Dublin International Game Music Festival
Schedule of Events for Day One (of three): April 29, 2016
At the RDS Auditorium (subject to minor changes - as of 3/18/16)
8:00 AM RDS center opens to iDIG Staff for pre show setup.
9:00 AM General admission doors open for first event.
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space, Artists Alley
We'll have a wonderful collection of game artists showing off their creations. If you want to exhibit, contact zeldaconductor@gmail.com
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - IMIRT
The association of indie Irish game developers will have demos running of their new games. Get sneak peeks at these works in progress.
Danny Moffit's "Floaty Ball!
Ian Munt's Gobblin's Grotto
9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - GAME JAM! 9:30 -11:00 AM, RDS Auditorium, technology demonstration featuring Craig Stuart Garfinkle
Craig Stuart Garfinkle (composer, World of Warcraft; Warlords of Draenor, Baldur's Gate, Dark Alliance II,Fallout Brotherhood of Steel, and trailers for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Trek) will demonstrate the tools that film and game composers use to create video game music, using the actual sessions from some of his most famous scores. Learn the secrets to producing slamming game and trailer tracks from this award winning and Emmy nominated composer and music producer.
11:00 - 11:30, Planned Expo Break
11:30 - 12:00 PM, RDS Auditorium - Runes of Aran, A Sneak Peek with Alan Duggan and Eimear Noone
Alan Duggan's "Runes of Aran"
With music by iDIG creator Eimear Noone, we are so pleased to be able to present this "
in development " role playing game, set in Ireland's prehistory - a first of it's kind for the genre.
Learn about this dedicated group of Irish indie game developers and see some what they have in store for 2016 and beyond.
Sandor Teli's "Symbol of Destruction" aka "SOD the Game"
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Expo Time
Be sure to explore the Artists Alley, Game Booths, and more!
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM RDS Auditorium, THE DEMO DERBY!
Hosted by iDIG producer, Craig Stuart Garfinkle, our panel of visiting composers, game developers and directors, will spend a full two hours this year, listening and critiquing music submitted by our attendees.
Our 2015 Demo Derby Panel, including Grammy winner Chris Tin,
Blizzard music head Russell Brower, World of Warcraft cinematatics composer Neal Acree,
4:00 - 5:00 PM, RDS Auditorium, A conversation with Blizzard audio and music head, Russell Brower.
Russell Brower
Blizzard Entertainment is know for consistently delivering award winning game scores - due in no small part to the efforts and skill of Blizzard audio and music head, Russell Brower. Join us to hear him speak of his creative process and how he helps mold Blizzard's scores.
5:00 - 6:00 PM The DIT Traditional Irish Music Ensemble
Another triumphant return to the iDIG Music Festival, The DIT Traditional Irish Music Ensemble will ] present a special "Celtic Link" performance, debuting excerpts from the upcoming CD "The Celtic Link; featuring themes from The Legend of Zelda."
The impetus to create "The Celtic Link" was born at the 2015 festival, when the audience themselves, so moved by the DIT Ensemble's performance of the great game music themes, insisted the DIT ensemble needed to be recorded and a CD released. A successful Kickstarter campaign followed.
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner (on your own for this one!)
7:00 PM - ??? PM "Cosball" at the Dublin's Opium Rooms, 26 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, a short bus or cab from the RDS.
Featuring custom dance remixes of your favorite video game themes, here's your opportunity to show off your best cosplay! Cosplay is not required, but is encouraged!
To submit your game music remix, email zeldaconductor@gmail.com
Tickets and more info about The 2016 Dublin International Game Music Festival:
Video Games Live Returns to Headline, The 2nd Annual Dublin International Game Music Festival April 29 - May1, 2016 get tickets for 2016
The Plan for 2016:
Days 1 and 2: Seminars and Smaller Concerts at the RDS
On April 29th and 30th, attendees will gather at the RDS Convention Center for two days of concerts and presentations relating to video game music, video games, and their creation.
Live Music: Performances on the RDS auditorium stage will feature talents such as "The Triforce Quartet," "The Spooney Bards," and "The Dublin Chamber Ensemble," among others.
The impetus to create "The Celtic Link" was born at the 2015 festival, when the audience themselves, so moved by the DIT Ensemble's performance of the great game music themes, insisted the DIT ensemble needed to be recorded and a CD released. A successful Kickstarter campaign followed.
Seminars: The musical performances will be interspersed with numerous seminars designed for aspiring game music creators, performers and fans. Included will be:
A presentation on new game music technology by Craig Stuart Garfinkle
Composer Neal Acree will show and discuss his work from many of the stunning Blizzard trailers and cinematics.
A preview of "Conductrix, A View from the Podium," Eimear Noone's upcoming 3D and VR conducting tutorials.
A handful of select Irish game developers will show off their latest projects.
One of the highlights from the seminars of 2015 was the composer "Demo Derby." For the derby, 15 composers had their music played for the audience and our panel of visiting composers. Our composers then gave advice and critiqued the composer's work.
In 2015 only an hour was scheduled for this event, but due to the number of composers that wanted to participate but couldn't, this year the Demo Derby will be extended to at least 2 hours.
Scheduled for the evening of April 30th, we will bring back our "Cosball" (cosplay ball) to a local Dublin nightclub where we will give away prizes for the best costumes and play dance remixes of our favorite game music.
Once again, on May 1st, 8:00 PM, at the Convention Center Dublin, Video Games Live will take the auditorium stage for a very special presentation.
Half orchestral concert, half rock and roll blow out, Video Games Live will perform the great game themes such as Skyrim, Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft Montage, Kingdom Hearts, and more, accompanied by synchronized gameplay images and lights.
For this performance, all of our visiting composers will conduct their own works - a rare treat to experience for the game music fan.
World Premier Performances
In year one of the iDIG festival, during the Video Games Live show, there were a number of World Premier performances. One of these was the first of its kind, "Crowd Created" version of a game music theme.
Featuring legendary game music performer, "Malukah" (over 60 Million YouTube views), a world wide crowd created orchestra joined forces with Eimear Noone and 134 musicians and singers on stage to perform Eimear Noone's "Malach" from "World of Warcraft, Warlords of Draenor." The resulting video has since had 76K+ views on YouTube and over 1.5 million views around the world.
For 2016, the iDIG Music Festival has an even greater video challenge planned for their Video Games Live show. The team is currently attempting to set a Guinness Book of World Record for the most number of individuals to ever contribute to a single music video.
With this goal in mind, for 2016 the festival has chosen to re-create the "Theme from HALO" as their star composition.
On February 3rd, 2016, the approvals came through and now the mad dash has begun to distribute parts and collect videos from musicians around the world. You can read more about this endeavor, or sign up to participate, at this link:
A festival ticket gains access to the two day festival on April 29th and 30th, and the Video Games Live show on May 1st. Festival tickets start at €85.
A limited number of Video Games Live Only tickets are also available. Video Games Live Tickets start at €40.
In April of 2015, the inaugural Dublin International Game Music Festival (iDIG Music Fest) brought some of the most well respected talent in the video game music industry to Dublin for a three day celebration of the art-form.
In attendance were Grammy winner Christopher Tin (Civilization), Russell Brower (Audio and Music Director for Blizzard Games; World of Warcraft, et all), Neal Acree (Blizzard Cinematic Composer), Eimear Noone (Blizzard Composer and Conductor) Craig Stuart Garfinkle (Blizzard and Baldur's Gate DA II composer) video game performers Jillian and Andrew Aversa, piano virtuoso J.J. McNamara and many more.
All of the 2015 attendees have pledged to attend in 2016 (subject to availability), along with some soon to be announced additional guests!
A series of 3D and Virtual Reality Conducting Tutorials
with Accompanying Book.
As many of you know, Eimear Noone and the team from iDIG Music Fest are currently developing an orchestral virtual reality game, experience, and social media platform called, "Muso-VR."
Our plan for creating the entire video game is to attack each element in phases. The first phase is to create a series of Virtual Reality and 3D conducting tutorials along with an accompanying book. These will be called, "Eimear Noone Presents: A View from the Podium."
About Eimear Noone, as Conducting Instructor:
For years, in between her concert appearances and recording sessions, Eimear Noone has been presenting conducting seminars for a wide variety of institutions such as Columbia College Chicago, The Society of Composer's and Lyricists, ASCAP, UCLA Extension, and many others. Her private conducting students include, Grammy, Emmy, BAFTA, and Oscar Award Winners and/or Nominees.
Even though her recording and touring schedule no longer permits her to teach regularly, Ms. Noone still wants to be able to share her knowledge and experiences - the impetus behind both Muso-VR, and this first phase, "Eimear Noone Presents: A View from the Podium."
Through these, Maestro Noone wants to capture the content of the seminars and classes she has been presenting, preserve them, and share them with the world.
A View from the Podium will be the next best possibility to having private conducting lessons with Eimear.
Eimear's conducting seminar at the 2015 Dublin International Game Music Festival (iDIG Music Fest) Photo by Fran Marshall
Eimear's conducting philosophy and focus for the book and videos.
"I believe that conducting technique is a physical language with a vocabulary that anyone can learn. It's then up to you to use it to write a literature in your own voice."
I want this book and these virtual reality videos to be about the pure practicalities of conducting on the concert stage AND scoring stage; No maestro myth; no obfuscation; no false elitism; no pomp and circumstance."
The book and videos will be divided into sections such as:
Basic beat patterns and gestures.
Communicating articulations, dynamics, cuing, tempo changes and other specialty gestures.
Eimear conducting a small ensemble, demonstrating how the elements discussed in sections 1 and 2 translate directly to the players.
A series of interviews with players, conductors, and composers.
Instruction in score preparation, stage presence, studio recording techniques, creating click tracks, and other helpful tips.
About Eimear Noone: A new breed of conductor.
Eimear Noone, on stage with Electronic Dance Music Legend BT, conducting "Electronic Opus."
Over the past ten years, Eimear Noone, in addition to being a respected classical conductor, has emerged as a premier conductor for film, multi-media, and video games music, both on the concert stage and in the recording studio.
In the studio, her conducting credits include some of video games most respected titles including, World of Warcraft, Diablo III, Starcraft II, Overwatch, Hearthstone, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword, and many others.
YouTube views of Eimear conducting the recording sessions (in 3D) for Nintendo's 25th Anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, number in the millions.
On the concert stage, in addition to standard repertoire, conducting for the hit touring show "Video Games Live" and performing for other video game based concerts, Eimear has conducted music from The Legend of Zelda, Skyrim, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, World of Warcraft, Assassin's Creed, and many others; leading such venerable orchestras such as The Royal Philharmonic, The Sydney Symphony, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Skywalker Symphony and more.
She is also an award winning composer, her own music featured in games such as "World of Warcraft, Warlords of Draenor," and in feature films such as "The Donner Party," and "It's Dark Here."
Although best known for these contemporary performances, her
background is solidly in classical music. Recent concerts include her conducting works as varied as Scheherazade
(Rimsky-Korsakov), The Firebird (Stravinsky), The New World Symphony (Dvorak), Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto and
more.
As another example of her work in the classical field, Eimear had the pleasure of conducting
the orchestra for the Los Angeles Ballet in their inaugural production of
Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in 2007. The LA Times said of the
performance:
"...the score was again given loving care by Eimear
Noone and her orchestra"
- L. Segal - The L.A. Times, January 2007
About Eimear's Education:
Eimear Noone has spent a lifetime developing her conducting style. It is dedicated to being as clear and concise as possible without extraneous "noise" that might confuse the conductor's communication.
As was said by one observer of a concert performance: "A deaf person could have ‘heard’ the music by just watching her hands." Eimear elaborates, "Especially in the recording studio, there is no room for any possibility of being unclear - each minute is too valuable."
This relationship between her gestures and the music was honed over 8 years of masterclasses and private conducting instruction, most notably with two years of intensive study with the conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Gerhard Markson. Maestro Markson himself was the protégé of legendary Russian conductor Igor Markevich.
"I spent years looking for the right teacher" says Eimear, "that could help me create this style. The first time I saw Maestro Markson, I knew he was the perfect mentor."
Formally, Eimear is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, with degrees in composition and flute performance, with numerous certificates and additional studies including master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, The Royal College of Music, London, (through the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama), The Ennis IMRO Composition Summer School (youngest ever invited participant), The Victoria College of Music, London, Opera Ireland (conducting masterclass), and the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop (to name a few).
Eimear Noone with Tommy Tallarico, Video Games Live
Just for fun, a series of videos showing Eimear Noone in action:
Eimear Noone's "Malach" from "World of Warcraft; Warlords of Draenor:"
This performance was at the 2015 Dublin International Game Music Festival with 130+ musicians on the stage synchronized with 128 videos submitted from a world-wide crowd orchestra.
BT's Electronic Opus - Conductor GoPro Cam:
A literal "View from the Podium." Eimear Noone wearing a GoPro during the recording of EDM legend BT's, "Electronic Opus."
One of the TANZ produced videos from Electronic Opus, Used with a huge thanks to TANZ, BT and Video Games Live creator, Tommy Tallarico. More on the project here: http://electronicopus.com
Blizzard Entertainment and Video Games Live at Gamescon, 2015: Among Eimear Noone's many conducting credits is principle conductor for Blizzard Games including sessions for World of Warcraft, Diablo III, StarCraft II, Overwatch, and many more. Here's Eimear Noone conducting a special "Blizzard" edition of "Video Games Live," with the legendary Tammy Tallarico.
From her fans and colleagues:
“Eimear Noone is one of the most dynamic conductors I’ve ever known. She brings the music to life with her passion, her skill and her clarity. I have had the pleasure of seeing her teach and she is a true master! With Eimear, all of the mysteries of conducting are laid out one by one so that the student is able to apply it to their own approach. Technique, communication, preparation, problem solving are all broken down and explained. As with everything she does, Eimear brings her unique charm and positive spirit to the experience. She is a true Maestro!”
- Mark Watters
Six-time Emmy Award winning composer and conductor The Olympics, The Oscars, Star Wars In Concert
“Eimear is a stunningly vibrant performer, conductor and musical force. This idea of empowering any end user to experience the thrill of helming an orchestra could not have a better champion. Anyone from student to master would have a pleathora of information to learn from one of the most fiery, seasoned and musical performers I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to try this!”
-BT
Grammy® Nominated Composer/Technologist
"Eimear is a tremendously talented and respected professional in the business. Her enthusiasm, charisma and confidence keep her in such demand both in live and studio recording settings. She is also a shining standout as an effective communicator with the orchestra as well as a wonderful educator and lecturer within her craft."
-Michael Todd
Sr. Director of Film/TV & Visual Media, ASCAP
“Eimear is one of the great conductors, teachers, performers and composers. Her energy is as infectious as her always bright outlook on life. She's bright light in the world in the world Music, be it studio, stage or classroom. Anyone would be lucky to learn from her wealth of knowledge and experience, both theoretical and real world”
-Trevor Morris
2 time EMMY award winning composer
"…In one movement the audience rose to its feet in standing ovation reminiscent of Riverdance. It was magic, the response of he audience… people left exhilarated and in tears."
- The Irish Independent
On her 2001 debut concert at Dublin's National Concert Hall
"Muso-VR has great potential in a music education context in providing an interactive environment for students to explore and test their conducting skills in preparation for the live rehearsal.”
- Dr. Clíona Doris
Head of Orchestral Studies
DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama (Dublin, Ireland)
"Eimear runs sessions like an efficient general, but always engenders a calm and collegial atmosphere. It's a team effort. When she's running the show, I know we are in good hands."
"I have worked with Eimear on many recording and scoring projects. She is a fantastic conductor, and the musicians love playing for her. That makes my job easier."
- Leslie Ann Jones,
Multi-Grammy® Winning Recording Engineer and Music Producer.
"Eimear, is a profound musical genius, working with her opened up the musical capabilities within me that were frozen. She has an impeccable ear for composition and is by far one of the most versatile arrangers I know. "
- De'Miyon Hall Drummer/CEO of Hall Of Music Group LLC
Music Director, Gladys Knight
Eimear Noone with Gladys Knight and the Pacific Symphony
