Music and Technology, Contemporary - General Studies Diploma
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The General Music Major is a flexible program designed for students seeking a broad understanding of music. It offers a wide range of elective courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. The program emphasizes practical skills, including music theory, ear training, instrumental or vocal lessons, and ensemble participation. Graduates are prepared for careers in various aspects of the music industry, such as performance, songwriting, composition, and music education.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The General Music Major is a flexible program offered to students who would like to pursue a less specific path of study. There are no concentrated courses in this major to allow for a wide range of elective courses. This program is also for students who don’t meet the admission requirements of the other majors.
Objectives:
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
Program Outline:
Content:
- Music Theory
- Ear Training
- Instrumental or Vocal Lessons
- Ensembles
- Music History
- Music Business
- Songwriting
- Improvisation
- Composition
- Recording Techniques
- MIDI Applications
Structure:
- Two-year program
- Four semesters
- 60 credits
Course Schedule:
Term 1
- Music Forum A
- Private Lesson I
- Basic Keyboard I
- Ensemble I
- Computer Applications to Music I
- Instrumental Lab I
- History Of Jazz
- Rudiments of Music
- Contemporary Harmony I
- Ear Training I
Term 2
- Music Forum B
- Private Lesson II
- Basic Keyboard II
- Ensemble II
- Computer Applications to Music II
- Instrumental Lab II
- History Of Rock
- Arranging I
- Contemporary Harmony II
- Ear Training II
Term 3
- Music Forum C
- Private Lesson III A - Non Performance Major
- Ensemble III
- Instrumental Lab III
- Contemporary Harmony III
- Ear Training III
- The Business of Music
Choose THREE of the following elective courses:
- Songwriting I
- Improvisation I
- Film Scoring I
- Composition I
- Advanced MIDI Applications I
Term 4
- Music Forum D
- Private Lesson IV A
- Ensemble IV
- Instrumental Lab IV
- Contemporary Harmony IV
- Ear Training IV
Choose THREE of the following elective courses:
- Survey of Recording Techniques
- Songwriting II
- Advanced Improvisation II
- Film Scoring II
- Composition II
- Advanced MIDI Applications II
Individual Modules with Description:
Music Forum:
A weekly educational experience that provides opportunities for students to perform, witness performances by faculty and guest artists, and gain insights into the industry from guest lecturers and music professionals.
Private Lesson:
A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson designed to increase students' technical and musical abilities.
Basic Keyboard:
A course that provides practical "hands-on" knowledge of the keyboard in today's music industry. Students will gain an understanding of chording and will be required to create musical excerpts using upper structure triads.
Ensemble:
Ensembles 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.
Computer Applications to Music:
This course covers the fundamentals and practical applications of a digital audio system, as well as methods for functioning in an integrated MIDI/digital audio workstation (DAW) studio environment.
Instrumental Lab:
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.
History Of Jazz:
A survey of the music of the jazz idiom from its origins to the present. Included is a chronological study of important soloists, bands, vocalists, and composers.
Rudiments of Music:
This introductory course covers the rudiments of music theory, terms, rhythm, symbols, and music notation.
Contemporary Harmony:
This course covers basic harmonic theory and common musical notation used in the music industry today.
Ear Training:
This course focuses on aural recognition of intervals, triads, seventh chords, rhythms, melodies, diatonic chord progressions and diatonic relative pitch.
Arranging:
An introductory course in commercial arranging dealing primarily with the rhythm section.
Songwriting:
This course is designed to help students prepare for survival in the competitive world of the songwriter's market.
Improvisation:
In this course, students will begin applying the basic tools of melodic and harmonic improvisation.
Film Scoring:
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.
Composition:
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.
Advanced MIDI Applications:
This course is an applied study of the software and concepts used in the recording home studio environment.
Survey of Recording Techniques:
An introduction to recording principles and practices.
Fundamentals of Private Studio Teaching:
This course studies aspects of effective private studio teaching.
Assessment:
- Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Written exams
- Oral exams
- Performance exams
- Projects
- Portfolios
Teaching:
- The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are active in the music industry.
- The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Demonstrations
- Workshops
- One-on-one instruction
Careers:
- Graduates of the General Music Major can pursue a variety of careers in the music industry, including:
- Performers
- Songwriters
- Composers
- Arrangers
- Producers
- Engineers
- Music teachers
- Music therapists
