Naidoo, Mageshen2017-02-152017-02-1520172016Smal, P 2016, Constructing a model musical idiom for award-nominated video game soundtracks, MMus Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/59069>A2017http://hdl.handle.net/2263/59069Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2016.My research will attempt to determine how award academies choose their nominations through the analysis of select musical aesthetics. As a trained musician (pianist) and avid gamer, I will bring my two passions together, contributing to the field of ludomusicology (the study of video game music). My research consists of an overview of video game scores spanning a decade (2004 – 2013) with a select sample of three soundtracks per year (a total of thirty soundtracks). The samples will be taken from the BAFTA- (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), VGX- (formerly known as Spike), and D.I.C.E. awards (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain). Through engaging a music theory macro analysis, I will discuss melodic themes used in each soundtrack, the setting of the score (instrumental or electronic), and whether the soundtrack samples contain the epic musical idiom. At the end of my dissertation my research reveals what kind of music these award academy panels favour. If the award academies are a reflection of popular taste, my research indicates what the audiences like to hear in video game music.en© 2017 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.MusicologyUCTDMusic TheoryVideo game musicEpic musicVideo game soundtracksAward academiesLudomusicologyMusic theses SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationMusic theses SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureMusic theses SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesMusic theses SDG-11SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communitiesDissertation