CORE COURSES FOR ALL MUSIC STUDENTS
Music Theory
Ear Training/Improvisation
Music History/Commercial Music/Contemporary Styles
Applied Lesson
Ensemble
TECHNOLOGY & COMPOSITION COURSES
Digital Musicianship
Computer Music Notation
Computer Production
Sound Synthesis
Recording Engineering
Audio Sound Production
Film Recording & Mixing
Composing for Media
Commercial Composition
Song Writing
Orchestration
Contemporary Arranging
Film Scoring
PERFORMANCE COURSES
Studio/Performance Class
Sectionals
Chamber Ensemble
Instrumental Styles
Evolution of Pop Song
Commercial Keyboard
CORE COURSES
Music Theory
Designed to teach students the basic through advanced level components of music composition, melodic practices, theories of harmony, rhythmic practices, and other musical concepts inherent in all music. Students analyze and listen to music from traditional stylistic periods through contemporary styles including jazz, pop, rock, folk, country, hip-hop, gaming, and film. A thorough review of the key musical elements of melody, rhythm, harmony, and form in each musical style is emphasized.
Ear Training/Improvisation
Designed to work in connection with Music Theory. Ear training explores sounds, melodies, harmonies, rhythms and formal structures through listening and developing a comprehension of musical elements aurally. Dictation of those elements is central to these courses as well as learning to improvise the elements learned from aural training. Styles ranging from classic standards to many of the commercial styles are explored with a thorough development of Jazz, pop, and rock forms.
Music History/Commercial Music/Contemporary Styles
Designed to teach students the basic elements, principles, processes, materials, and inherent qualities of music. Students will examine a broad range of traditional musical styles as they analyze the processes involved in creating music. A study of the connections between music and societal movements will be an integral part of these courses. Music History encompasses many of the contemporary genres including Jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, folk, evolution of the pop song, film and orchestral styles.
Applied Lesson
All students enrolled in a music program take a weekly private, one-on-one lesson with an instructor in their chosen area of study, whether it be vocal or instrumental. Lessons range from 30-60 minutes weekly and are designed to focus on developing proper technique in the student along with advanced training in musicianship and preparation for performances and on-stage experiences. Repertoire in a variety of styles will be explored initially with an emphasis on commercial forms and contemporary styles as the student advances.
Ensemble
Students select vocal and/or instrumental ensembles each semester from an array of commercial styles including jazz, pop, rock, and country. Students will demonstrate an ability to apply the fundamentals and techniques of each of these styles through productions and performances. Regular performances in a variety of settings is part of all ensemble study. Skills including sight-reading, improvisation, and performance techniques will be explored thoroughly in solo, small, and large ensemble settings. Critique and reflection of performances are integral.
TECHNOLOGY & COMPOSITION COURSES
Digital Musicianship
Designed for the study of technologies used to create, manipulate, perform, record, and share music. The course will introduce the student to the constantly changing digital resources available to them for music production, composition, and expression. Students will be introduced to basic synthesizer operations, concepts of MIDI and audio sequencing, editing, and playback, and a study of DAW(Digital Audio Workstation).
Computer Music Notation
Designed to instruct students in how to prepare music manuscripts, both vocal and instrumental, through the use of computer notation programs. Various software programs will be explored.
Computer Production
The focus of this class is for students to gain more advanced skills in the operation of the Digital Audio Workstation. Emphasis will be placed on mastering MIDI, synthesizer programming, sequencing, and arranging, and a study of both the technical and aesthetic aspects of production will be explored.
Sound Synthesis
Students will study how to navigate hardware and software-based sound synthesizers. The course will focus on functions and components of synthesized sound and the techniques used to generate those sounds.
Recording Engineering
An overview of the field of audio engineering technology. Attention will be given to foundational concepts, terminology, and the use of audio technology in art, entertainment, science, and engineering.
Audio Sound Production
This course introduces the student to auditory perception, psychoacoustics, and hearing science as it relates to audio engineering, sound recording, and music production.
Film Recording & Mixing
Students will learn to record and mix dialogue and sound effects for film using advanced technology in order to produce a final product.
Composing for Media
Students will be introduced to composing, arranging, and orchestrating music for film and various other forms of media. Emphasis will be placed on compositional techniques, the logistics of incorporating the Digital Audio Workstation, and artist considerations of music in a supporting role.
Commercial Composition
Students in the Commercial Music Program may choose the Composition track. This track focuses on the business of how to write music whether instrumental or vocal. The basic elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form are explored in traditional forms as well as the commercial styles including media and film.
Song Writing
Designed to instruct students in the creation of songs in various popular styles including the commercial jingle. The class will explore styles of jazz, pop, rock, country, and other prominent popular styles.
Orchestration
Part of the Music Composition track, orchestration explores how to write music for an orchestra, how to write for each instrument, how to assign musical parts for the instruments, and how to use the instruments together in an orchestral style. The course also includes how to adapt music written for another medium to orchestra. Beginning with the study of the classics, classes will focus on commercial styles, film scoring, and contemporary orchestration.
Contemporary Arranging
Part of the Music Composition track, music arranging focuses on teaching students how to take a piece of music and arrange it for something other than what it was originally written for while maintaining the integrity and identity of the music. Students will learn how to arrange vocal songs into instrumental forms, how to arrange for small and large ensembles, and how to adjust basic musical elements of melody, rhythm, and harmony without losing the integrity of the original composition.
Film Scoring
A course designed to introduce students to the art of film scoring which includes both arranging and newly composed music. By the end of the course, students will be able to score a short film using a sequencing platform and one of the standard notation programs.
PERFORMANCE COURSES
Studio/Performance Class
This class provides students an opportunity to perform in a small group setting within their own musical area of study with feedback from instructor and students. Elements of improvisation, stylistic interpretation, stage presence, cultural context, and pedagogical techniques are explored. Students will cover a wide variety of commercial music styles.
Sectionals
Sectionals provide the students the opportunity to practice and rehearse together within their own musical section (ex. Percussion, guitar, altos, sopranos, etc). Specific techniques and musical elements are thoroughly rehearsed and mastered as preparation for performance for the entire ensemble.
Chamber Ensemble
Students select a small-group vocal and/or instrumental ensemble each semester from an array of commercial styles including jazz, pop, rock, and country. Students will demonstrate an ability to apply the fundamentals and techniques of each of these styles through productions and performances. Regular performances in a variety of settings is part of all ensemble study.
Instrumental Styles
A study of the major styles of commercial music with a focus on the characteristics that distinguish each style including instrumentation and key musical stylistic elements.
Evolution of Pop Song
A detailed study of the pop song in its various styles including music jingles for commercials. Key musical elements that are inherent in the pop song will be studied.
Commercial Keyboard
A skills based piano course focusing on the analysis of pop/rock keyboard performance providing a practical approach to playing in a variety of popular styles.