Production Major

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.

MUSC 264: Instrumental Lab III. 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.

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.

MUSC 260 Mix-down & 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.

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.

MUSC 280: Ear Training III. This course continues to develop an aural perception of intervals, pitches, seventh chords, chord progressions, melodies and rhythms. The focus of this semester is on minor and secondary dominant melodies and chord progressions and 9th chords. The rhythms explore sixteenth note syncopated rhythms as well as cut time, 3/8, 6/8 and 5/4 meters

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

MUSC 282: Film Scoring I. This hands-on course focuses on TV and radio broadcasting. Students are required to score themes and cues for various TV and radio shows using mostly electronic equipment along with one or two live musicians.

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.

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.

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.

MUSC 265: Instrumental Lab IV. 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.

MUSC 161 Mix-down & 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.

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.

MUSC 281: Ear Training IV: Upon successful completion of this course you have will have mastered basic aural skills for professional musicianship. The emphasis on this level is chromatic and modal melodies. Mixed meters and odd time signatures are explored. Emphasis is given to transcribing pre-recorded songs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MUSC 283: Film Scoring II. This hands-on course focuses on TV and radio broadcasting. Students are required to score themes and cues for various TV and radio shows using mostly electronic equipment along with one or two live musicians.

This course, Music 2xx Fundamentals of Private Studio Teaching, studies aspects of effective private studio teaching. Topics covered, but not limited to, include: pedagogy, literature, technology, business plans, methods and materials to support a teacher’s attributes and philosophies essential to the successful private instructor.