Commercial Music (CM)

 

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IO = Infrequently Offered Course

 

CM      1200

Commercial Music Ear Training and Sight Singing I

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

This is a beginning course and incorporated basic ear training skills including hearing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms and sight singing skills including singing intervals and rhythms.

 

CM      1201

Commercial Music Ear Training and Sight Singing II

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

CM  1200  Commercial Music Ear Training and Sight Singing I

This is the second level and includes more advanced listening skills for melodies, harmonies, rhythms and transcriptions, and sight singing skills for accurate pitch and rhythm when performing melodies, canons, and duets.

 

CM      1204

Studio Internship

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

The student will function as an engineer and/or assistant engineer in a professional recording or sound engineering environment.  Working with professionals in the field, the student will become familiar with the real world environment of the audio professional.

 

CM      1207

Commercial Music Songwriting

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course introduces the technique of writing marketable songs including the writing of lyrics, setting the lyrics to music, developing a lyrical and musical “hook,” analyzing the marketplace and developing the production plan for a song “demo.”

 

CM      1208

Improvisation Ensembles I

1 Credit Hour

CM      1209

Improvisation Ensembles II

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

Students will learn improvisation skills through performance in small ensembles.  Students will learn and apply the use of arpeggios, rhythmic and melodic motifs, chord tones and non-chord tones, and a variety of scales.

 

CM      1213

Audio Recording I

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course is intended to expose students to the principles and techniques of audio recording.  Topics of instruction include basic audio terminology and concepts, use of microphones, multitrack recording, signal processing, and mixdown.

 

CM      1214

Audio Recording II

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

CM  1213  Audio Recording I

Audio Recording II studies advanced operation procedures in the recording studio.  This includes advanced audio theory and recording techniques, digital tap machine operation, additional mic placement techniques, and multitrack mixdown techniques, with practical application in a laboratory setting.

 

CM      1216

Audio for Video

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

CM  1274  Digital Video Production

This course teaches the elements and techniques of creating and working with sound synchronized to video.  Students will learn about the Audio for Video Production process from planning and budgeting, to recording and mixing audio for video.  Students will also gain hands-on knowledge through the production of their own Audio for Video projects.

 

CM      1217

Lighting Technology

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

This course is a comprehensive study of lighting principles, equipment, and usage in the performing arts industry.  Emphasis is placed on lighting techniques, color concepts, electrical theory, and safety.

 

CM      1218

Commercial Music Business

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course acquaints the student with the practices and procedures of the commercial music business world including the hiring of management, attorneys, negotiation or recording contracts, publishing deals, and other contractual situations that arise in the music industry.  Concert production, publicity, and production of press kits will also be explored.

 

CM      1219

Commercial Music Business 2

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

CM  1218  Commercial Music Business

This course is designed to take the theoretical knowledge of the music business that is gained in Commercial Music Business and demonstrate real world examples and applications.  Students will also participate in class presentations and projects while working to create their own independent record label and promotion company.

 

CM      1220

Sound Reinforcement

2 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course is an overview of the entire spectrum of live sound reinforcement and in intended to give the student basic understanding of the elements involved in assembling and operating a sound system for use in the sound reinforcement/commercial music industry.

 

CM      1221

MIDI Production I

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course is an introduction to control of the synthesizer via the MIDI interface.  The basics of sound synthesis theory and synthesizer programming will be explored.  Additionally, the use of a software-based music sequencing program will be explored in the realization of student projects in the lab.  Other topics will include digital signal processing and stereo mixdown techniques.

 

CM      1224

Commercial Music Theory I

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course exposes students to scale construction, intervals, and chord spellings.  They are also introduced to chord progressions, song forms, and harmonic techniques used in popular music.

 

CM      1225

Commercial Music Theory II

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

CM  1224  Commercial Music Theory I

This course presents further study of popular music harmonic techniques.  The student will learn five part chords, work with the II-V-1 progression, and learn chord substitutions, voice leading, and 3 and 4 part upper structures of chords.

 

CM      1228

Performing Ensemble I

2 Credit Hours

CM      1229

Performing Ensemble II

2 Credit Hours

CM      1230

Performing Ensemble III

2 Credit Hours

CM      1231

Performing Ensemble IV

2 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

Several bands will be formed at the beginning of Performing Ensemble I.  An audition will be administered to determine the performance level and general make-up of the individual groups.  As the groups mature through ensemble II-IV, the groups will develop a larger repertoire and more performances will be scheduled.  The students will learn rehearsal techniques, how to map out a song from sheet music and directly from recorded sources, and will demonstrate proficiency on their chosen instrument.

 

CM      1234

Commercial Music Business Internship

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

Adviser’s Approval

The student will function in a professional recording studio, venue promotion, or facilities management environment.  Working with professionals in the field, the student will become familiar with the real world environment of the music professional.

 

CM      1244

Commercial Music Piano Class I

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

This course provides students with the opportunity to learn how contemporary music is played on the keyboard.  The student will earn about contemporary music theory, bass line patterns, chord construction, and how to begin reading lead sheets and fake books.

 

CM      1245

Commercial Music Piano Class II

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

CM  1244  Commercial Music Piano Class I

This course is a continuation of Piano Class I.  Students will learn additional left-hand patterns and beginning improvisation.  Students will also learn how to play the blues and pentatonic scales.  In addition, the student will continue studying and reading lead sheets.

 

CM      1260

Arranging for Songwriters

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

The student will be able to demonstrate acceptable competency in the basic skills and techniques of arranging, including harmonization of melodies, use of substitute chords, and arranging tunes in a variety of styles.

 

CM      1261

Commercial Music Private Music Lessons I

1 Credit Hour

CM      1262

Commercial Music Private Music Lessons II

1 Credit Hour

CM      1263

Commercial Music Private Music Lessons III

1 Credit Hour

CM      1264

Commercial Music Private Music Lessons IV

1 Credit Hour

Prerequisite:

None

Students will be given an entry assessment at their first lesson.  The instructor will then prepare weekly course outlines stating the competencies expected.  This will be given to the student at the second lesson followed by regular progress reports throughout the semester.  The competencies will include knowledge of the instrument, proper technique, musicianship skills, and stylistic interpretation.

 

CM      1265

Digital Audio I

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

A beginning course in the utilization of computer-based audio recording systems.  Software programs such as ProTools will be used in the recording projects.  An introduction to digital signal processing , software synthesis, and completely digital recording techniques will be covered, as well as the use of plug-ins in a digital audio program.

 

CM      1266

Digital Audio II

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

CM  1265  Digital Audio I

An advanced course in the utilization of computer-based audio recording systems.  Software programs such as Digital Performer, Sampletank, and ProTools will be used in the digital audio recording process.  Advance digital signal processing techniques and completely digital Mixing and Mastering techniques will be explored.  Also, “Loop-based” digital audio production techniques, as well as the use of plug-ins, will be utilized.

 

CM      1270

Thesis Project - Performance

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

Utilizing the performance skills acquired in all previous courses, the student will produce a full-length, professionally evaluated audio recording inclusion in their portfolio and for use in promoting themselves in the professional music industry.  The final project may be of original material or material composed by others, or a collaboration.

 

CM      1271

Thesis Project - Audio Technology

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

Utilizing the audio production skills acquired in all previous courses, the student will produce a full-length, professionally evaluated audio recording for inclusion in their portfolio and for use in promoting themselves in the professional music industry.  The final project may be of original material or material composed by others, or a collaboration.

 

CM      1274

Digital Video Production

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

This course covers the basics of planning, budgeting, lighting, shooting, and editing of video as it relates to the modern music and entertainment industry.  Students will learn to produce, edit, and manipulate in software their own DV projects ranging from simple commercials and promotional videos, to music videos and short form documentaries.  Students will also learn about the current methods of distribution for digital video including CDRom, DVD, streaming media, and other downloadable compression formats.

 

CM      1275

Commercial Music Mixing and Mastering

2 Credit Hours

Prerequisite:

None

A course in both live and studio mixing, utilizing both computer based audio recording systems and conventional analog devices. Software programs such as Pro Tools will be used in the audio mixing process. Digital signal processing techniques complete digital domain recording and basic mastering techniques will be explored.

 

 

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