Creativitas 2025 Program

Creativitas is a course exploring the powerful blending of creativity and technology, demonstrating how STEM knowledge can be a tool for artistic expression. Over the year students will explore this intersection by designing and programming their own digital musical tools, and learning how to use technology to shape sound and create original music. Through hands-on projects, they will learn the fundamentals of music technology, sound synthesis, and digital composition, culminating in a short musical performance.

Along the way, we will discuss how scientific and technical concepts—such as acoustics, signal processing, and electronic design—enhance creative possibilities in contemporary music. Students will also explore the broader social impact of music: how technology can empower new forms of artistic expression, foster community, and support personal and collective well-being.

2025 Program Schedule

Winter Session: January 25-27, Hong Kong
In-person workshop at Hong Kong University

Spring Session: May 2025, Virtual
Fridays May 2, 9, 16, 23 21:00 HKT

Summer Session:
Week 1: July 14-18, MIT Campus, Cambridge, USA
Week 2: July 21-25, MIT Campus, Cambridge, USA
Week 3 August 3-7, HKU, Hong Kong

2025 Festival: August 8, Hong Kong
Public presentations, panels, and performances

Summer Workshop Schedule

Monday

9-12Orientation
Digital Musical Instruments
- past & current examples
- design workshop
12-1Lunch
1-2Music Tech in Practice:
Discussion with professionals
2-5Musical Electronics I
- electronic components and soldering
- musical instrument components
5-6Dinner

Tuesday

9-12Music Software:
- virtual instruments
- working with web audio
- electronic music composition
12-1Lunch
1-2Music Tech in Practice:
Discussion with professionals
2-5Musical Electronics II
- visual and performance aesthetics
- testing and calibration of instruments
5-6Dinner

Wednesday

9-12Sampling & Music Production
- digital audio workstations
- audio recording
- audio editing
12-1Lunch
1-2Music Tech in Practice:
Discussion with professionals
2-5Sampling workshop
- creating our own sample packs
- editing, mixing, and exporting audio
5-6Dinner

Thursday

9-12Acoustic instruments + electronics
- integrating acoustic instruments and vocals with digital instruments
12-1Lunch
1-2Music Tech in Practice:
Discussion with professionals
2-5Improvisation and performance workshop
- improvisation techniques
- group performances
- web-based collaboration
5-6Dinner

Friday

9-11Social Impact of Music Technology
- culture, aesthetics, knowledge
11-12 Individual practice sessions
12-1Lunch
1-3Individual meetings
3-4Final performances and presentations
4-5What's the future? Group discussion
5-6Dinner

Student Activities

• Learn how to create music by programming

• Learn how to record and edit audio

• Learn how to create custom digital musical instruments

• Learn how the fundamentals of composing and producing electronic music

• Learn the basic concepts of musical acoustics and digital audio

• Learn how AI is changing the way we make music

Interaction with professional musicians and researchers

• Learn how professional musicians and artists leverage technology to create new music

• Learn about career paths in music technology

• Learn how new technologies and innovation can leverage the power of music for healing, building community, and personal growth.

Music Creation

• Students will create their own digital musical instrument

• Students will create their own musical composition, and perform with it

• Students will have the opportunity to compete to perform in a professional music concert