Music and Technology, Contemporary - Advanced Diploma
Overview
The Advanced Diploma is a two-term program designed to take your skills to the next level. Tailored to address your unique needs, the flexible curriculum revolves around a Capstone project, offering a hands-on and personalized learning experience.
Eligible candidates include graduates of the Selkirk College Contemporary Music & Technology Program or those with equivalent (2 years) music education credits from another post-secondary institution.
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Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively in various formats to a variety of stakeholders
- Apply entrepreneurial skills
- Apply developing problem-solving skills
- Outline the importance of professional and ethical behaviour
- Explain terms, concepts, and practices relevant to the music industry
- Use music industry-related technology proficiently
- Function collaboratively in a modern music industry environment
- Demonstrate developing critical and creative thinking skills
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, as outlined in Policy 8611 Admissions 5.1, applicants to the Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Music and Technology program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:
Selkirk College Graduates
a) Applicants must be graduates of the Selkirk College Contemporary Music and Technology Program or have comparable (2 years) music education credits from another institution.
Non-Selkirk College Graduates
a) For advanced technology courses (MUSC 235, 236, 245, 246, 260, 261, 288, 289, 270, 271, as well as Filmscoring I and II), students that have not attended the Selkirk College Music Program must demonstrate competency with digital audio software. The Music Program currently uses Pro Tools digital audio software.
b) For performance-based courses (MUSC 250, 251, 252, 253, 258, 259), students must demonstrate competency by supplying a recording or video that clearly demonstrates their ability on their instrument.
Completed applications (except for the audition) are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office up to a year in advance but as late as by April 30 prior to the start of the next intake of the program. Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. Courses and private lessons have limited space available so preference will be given to those that apply early.
Private Lesson Eligibility
Students entering the Postgraduate Diploma may apply for one or more private lessons. These will be considered on an individual basis according to student need and the availability of department resources.
APPLICATION PROCESS (NON-SELKIRK STUDENTS)
Before the applicant's file is considered to be complete, the following must be received:
a) a completed application form;
b) official transcripts from applicant’s previous (minimum) 2 years of post-secondary musical education.
c) completion of the College Readiness Tool assessment (CRT)
d) the applicant information questionnaire; and
e) proof of equivalency for non-Selkirk students intending to take technology and performance based courses. (see #3 above).
Completed applications (except for the audition) are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s office up to a year in advance but as late as by April 30th prior to the start of the next intake of the program. Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. Courses and private lessons have limited space available so preference will be given to those that apply early.
Part Time Students - Students may not enrol in the Advanced Diploma Program on a part-time basis.
APPLICATION PROCESS (SELKIRK STUDENTS)
Before the applicant's file is considered to be complete, the following must be received:
a) a completed application form; and
b) the applicant information questionnaire.
Completed applications are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s office up to a year in advance but as late as April 30th prior to the start of the next intake of the program. Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. Courses and private lessons have limited space available so preference will be given to those that apply early.
Part Time Students - Students may not enrol in the Advanced Diploma Program on a part-time basis.
Private Lesson Eligibility
Students entering the Advanced Diploma may apply for 1 or more Private Lessons. These will be considered on an individual basis according to student need and the availability of department resources.
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.
A. PROMOTION
1. In order to progress from one semester to the following, each semester must be completed with a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better, and no more than one "F." Students cannot graduate with more than 2 "C-'s."
2. In order to progress from Semester I to Semester II, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better
3. Students who have an Incomplete grade ("I") at the end of any term may be allowed to proceed into the following term on a probational basis. This probation status will normally be permitted to continue only for the specified period permitted for the conversion of "I" grades (within 30 days). The "I" grade must be converted to meet the terms in B.1.
Courses
MUSC297 - Capstone I
MUSC 297 Capstone I provides students with the opportunity to apply their cumulative skills and talents towards the completion of a musical project. Students will declare their project goals and choice of mentor in the semester prior to commencement of this course. Additional courses will be chosen to support the project goals.
Choose a minimum of 12 credits from the following elective courses:
MUSC162 - Instrumental Lab I
MUSC 162 Instrumental Lab I. This course is designed to help students develop instrumental skills. Grouped by instrument, students learn the fundamentals of reading, articulation, balance, dynamics, styles and technique as related to their particular instrument. This course is taught ''instrument-in-hand'' and also uses audio and visual aids to explore different techniques and styles. A requirement in all majors, students have weekly assignments.
MUSC235 - Production Studio Management I
MUSC 235 Production Studio Management I provides an examination of methods designed to facilitate the successful management of studio recording projects. The course will cover session set-ups, use of templates for album recording, tracking and take sheets, archiving and final delivery. It will also explore professional session protocol and strategies for cultivating excellent relationships with clients. Students will learn to implement these topics across a range of real world situations.
MUSC245 - Live Sound Production I
MUSC 245 Live Sound Production I provides an introduction to the theory and practice of PA and sound reinforcement. Students will explore the fundamentals of live sound systems (portable and in-house), monitors, microphone techniques, live mixing and concert recording (stereo and multi-track). Also covered are best practices for sound checking, eliminating feedback, troubleshooting and file management.
MUSC250 - Private Lesson III
MUSC 250 Private Lesson III. A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all Music Performance and Music Songwriting majors. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic, bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students' technical and musical abilities.
MUSC250B - Directed Studies - Mentorship
MUSC 250B Directed Studies - Mentorship is a weekly bi-weekly (every other week) 1/2 hour private tutorship is provided for all Directed Studies majors. Students will consult with their mentor on a consistent basis (for a total of six meetings per semester). Instruction is designed to increase student?s technical, artistic, and musical quality relating to final project goals, as pertaining to student?s project proposal and portfolio. The mentor may be changed, pending approval, on a semester basis.
MUSC252 - Private Lesson III A - Non Performance Major
MUSC 252 Private Lesson III A. A weekly half-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all Music Production, Composition, and General Music majors. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students' technical and musical abilities.
MUSC256 - Stage Performance Techniques I
MUSC 256 Stage Performance Techniques I. Students will learn how to construct and organize a concert from A to Z. Students will have to produce arrangements for all instruments involved, and assume a leadership role in rehearsals. They will be required to perform a wide variety of music at their instrument.
MUSC258 - Ensemble III
MUSC 258 Ensemble III. Ensembles, required of all students, are the focal point of the Music program. All students are placed by audition in one or more ensembles. Students must participate in a minimum of four ensembles to graduate. Types of ensembles offered will focus on contemporary music including rock, funk, fusion, jazz and vocal, with the goal of developing both the student's repertoire and improvisational abilities. Students are encouraged to participate in as many different types of ensembles as possible. A graduation showcase will be required from all students majoring in Music Performance.
MUSC260 - Mixdown and Editing I
MUSC 260 Mixdown and Editing I. In this course the functional, financial, and legal aspects of production entrepreneurship is examined. Topics covered include technical and artistic preparation through pre- and post- production, recognition of standard recording techniques, the effects of signal processing, and the analysis of various production styles in rock, pop, jazz and classical recordings. Student producers work with student engineers and artists to meet course requirements for two-track and multi-track recording projects.
MUSC268 - Songwriting I
MUSC 268 Songwriting I. This course is designed to help you prepare for survival in the competitive world of the songwriter's market. Learn about all types of styles while striving to define your own. Special attention is paid to the rudiments of songwriting: creativity, basic theory (usage of basic rhythms, scales, harmony, melodic patterns, lyrics, etc.), basic styles (pop, rock, folk, country, etc.), production patterns, and the legalities of the music business. The class also spends time analyzing the work of other writes (successful and unsuccessful; those who have maintained artistic integrity; those who have not).
MUSC270 - Recording Techniques I
MUSC 270 Recording Techniques I provides students with an introduction to recording principles and practices. Through theoretical and practical instruction students will acquire a basic understanding of studio technologies and recording skills. Topics include fundamentals of analogue and digital recording, design and function of microphones, loudspeakers, and acoustical considerations in sound recording. Student engineers work with student artists to complete live-to-two track and multi-track recordings.
MUSC272 - Improvisation I
MUSC 272 Improvisation I. In this course, students will begin applying the basic tools of melodic and harmonic improvisation. Melodic interpretation, phrasing, rhythmic density, motivic development, pacing, voice leading, and harmonic accuracy will all be explored through performance and analysis. The class will examine classic solos in a variety of idioms. Students will write and transcribe melodic improvisation. The class is taught with ''instrument in hand'', performing with teacher and students.
MUSC274 - Contemporary Harmony III
MUSC 274 Contemporary Harmony III. This course continues with the principles of contemporary harmony in Harmony 2. Topics are expanded to include Deceptive Resolution, Substitute Dominants, Diminished Chords, Modulation, Blues and Chord Scale Relationships. This course provides students with a practical working knowledge of harmony in various styles of contemporary music as it applies to composition and improvisation.
MUSC284 - Composition I
MUSC 284 Composition I. This course is designed to improve the skills of composers by presenting a wide variety of compositional tools in styles ranging from Classical to Jazz, Folk, Rock and Pop. By studying the recordings and scores of composers throughout history each student gains a musical awareness that strengthen their own compositional process. Particular attention is paid to the ''building blocks of a composition;'' the musical elements such as melody, harmony and rhythm that are at the core of the creative process. In class performance and analysis of student compositions occurs on a weekly basis and midterm and final assignments are recorded.
MUSC288 - Advanced MIDI Applications I
MUSC 288 Advanced MIDI Applications I. This course is an applied study of the software and concepts used in the recording home studio environment. The primary focus of the course is in the use of Pro Tools LE for the self-recording musician. Topics include: mixing console application, editing techniques, microphone technique, an introduction to effects processing for final mixing, auxiliary buss in the virtual mixing board, use of patch bay, outboard effects, and file maintenance.
MUSC290 - The Business of Music
MUSC 290 The Business of Music. The purpose of this course is three-fold: to provide the student with an awareness of the career possibilities in the field of music; to introduce students to some of the major aspects of the music profession; and to introduce students to basic general business practices. This course is of particular benefit to students planning a career in the music industry.
MUSC298 - Capstone II
MUSC 298 Capstone II provides students with the opportunity to apply their cumulative skills and talents towards the completion of a musical project. Students will declare their project goals and choice of mentor in the semester prior to commencement of this course. Additional courses will be chosen to support the project goals.
Choose a minimum of 12 credits from the following elective courses:
MUSC163 - Instrumental Lab II
MUSC 163 Instrumental Lab II. This course is designed to help students develop instrumental skills. Grouped by instrument, students learn the fundamentals of reading, articulation, balance, dynamics, styles and technique as related to their particular instrument. This course is taught ''instrument-in-hand'' and also uses audio and visual aids to explore different techniques and styles. A requirement in all majors, students have weekly assignments.
MUSC236 - Production Studio Management II
MUSC 236 Production Studio Management II provides an examination of an expanded range of recording management tools and techniques that include budgets and estimates, contracts, scheduling, billing and delivery for CD, film, video, web and multi-media. Students will assist in and run a number of real-world studio sessions including full band live-from-the-floor, single instrument overdubbing, mixing and mastering.
MUSC246 - Live Sound Production II
MUSC 246 Live Sound Production II is a second-level exploration, where students deepen their understanding of the many aspects that constitute live sound production including effects processing, advanced file management and custom set-ups that involve multi-media, in-ear monitors and click tracks. Each student's final project will be to develop and run front-of-house and back-of-house sound for at least two showcase concerts.
MUSC251 - Private Lesson IV
MUSC 251 Private Lesson IV. A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all Music Performance and Music Songwriting majors. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic, bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students' technical and musical abilities.
MUSC251B - Directed Studies - Mentorship
MUSC253 - Private Lesson IV A
MUSC 253 Private Lesson IV A. A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all first year students. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic, bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students' technical and musical abilities.
MUSC257 - Stage Performance Techniques II
MUSC 257 Stage Performance Techniques II. Students will be asked to select five to eight musical pieces of any style (could also include original material) to form a 30 minute showcase to be performed in public as a graduating recital. Students will have to produce partitions for all instruments involved, and assume a leadership role in all rehearsals
MUSC259 - Ensemble IV
MUSC 259 Ensemble IV, required of all students, are the focal point of the Music program. All students are placed by audition in one or more ensembles. Students must participate in a minimum of four ensembles to graduate. Types of ensembles offered will focus on contemporary music including rock, funk, fusion, jazz and vocal, with the goal of developing both the student's repertoire and improvisational abilities. Students are encouraged to participate in as many different types of ensembles as possible. A graduation showcase will be required from all students majoring in Music Performance.
MUSC261 - Mixdown and Editing II
MUSC 161 Mixdown and Editing II. In this course the production aspects of recording music for various industry applications will be analyzed, discussed, and applied to student projects. Particular attention will be paid to the areas of music production for records, film and television, and radio and television commercials. Students will work with state-of-the-art video/audio synchronization devices. Student producers will work as a team with student engineers and artists, songwriters, and film composers to produce three projects; one in each idiom.
MUSC269 - Songwriting II
MUSC 269 Songwriting II. This course is designed to strengthen your songwriting skills in every respect. Closer attention is paid to marketing skills, legal procedures, finding one's personal niche in the music business (whether to focus on one's own style, concentrate on writing tunes for other acts, or both; whether to go through a publisher or be your own publisher; etc.). Co-writing music is to be explored (you put lyrics to someone else's music; they put music to yours). Class time centers around the analysis of successful songwriters in every genre.
MUSC271 - Recording Techniques II
MUSC 271 Recording Techniques II. The emphasis in this course is on advanced multi-track recording techniques including microphone placement, console signal flow, and live recording. Topics include: discussion and utilization of signal processing equipment including limiters, compressors, noise gates, digital reverb, and delay. Student engineers work with student producers and artists or composers. Prerequisites: MUSC 270 for MUSC 271. Must be taken concurrently with MUSC 261/289.
MUSC273 - Advanced Improvisation II
MUSC 273 Advanced Improvisation II. This course continues the concepts of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic variety learned in Improvisation I. These concepts are then applied to the stylistic considerations of rock, funk, Latin, jazz, blues, and calypso music. Greater emphasis is given to harmonic accuracy through arpeggio and scale studies. Students will examine classic solos in class, as well as transcribe and perform their own transcriptions of improvisations. Improvisation is also examined in the context of rhythmic section accompaniment.
MUSC275 - Contemporary Harmony IV
MUSC 275 Contemporary Harmony IV. This course continues with the principles of contemporary harmony in Harmony 3. Topics are expanded to include further concepts of Deceptive Resolution, Non-functional Dominant chords, Contiguous Dominants, Pedal Point and Ostinato, Modal harmony, Compound Chords, and Constant Structures. This course provides students with a practical working knowledge of harmony in various styles of contemporary music as it applies to areas of composition and improvisation.
MUSC283 - Film Scoring II
MUSC 283 Film Scoring II provides students with an understanding of the different compositional techniques used in feature film genres such as drama, suspense, comedy and action/adventure. The course content includes analysis of film soundtracks of the past and present, the business of being a film composer, film scoring technology, orchestration, conducting, and how to get started as a film composer.
MUSC285 - Composition II
MUSC 285 Composition II. This course continues the study of compositional building blocks started in Composition 1 with an additional focus on arranging and orchestration. Topics include minimalism, world rhythm studies, chord progressions and voicings in classical and contemporary styles, and string and vocal arranging. Composers of interest include Sting, John Lennon, Bach, Stravinsky, Steve Reich, and Miles Davis.
MUSC289 - Advanced MIDI Applications II
MUSC 289 Advanced MIDI Applications II. This course is a continuation of MUSC 288. The primary focus is the advanced use of Pro Tools LE. Topics will include: the musical application of effects plug-ins, computer components and related technology, and other recording formats.
Tuition & Fees
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