Commercial Music Minor

Program Overview

This commercial artistry degree program provides practical skills for live performances, songwriting, recording, and production. Students delve into commercial music techniques, digital audio workstation techniques, and advanced songwriting. The program culminates in an original solo album project, preparing graduates for professional music careers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Develop the practical skills of commercial artistry. Learn more about the professional side of live performances, songwriting, recording and production in order to advance your career in music.

Outline:

• Commercial Music Laboratory (3 hrs): Aural memorization and performance of off-the-record faithful renditions and fresh arrangements of commercial music cover songs.
• Introduction to Digital Audio Workstation Techniques (3 hrs): Project-based learning of basic to intermediate level techniques in audio, MIDI and audio-visual production using industry standard software applications.
• Advanced Digital Audio Workstation Techniques (3 hrs): Project-based learning of advanced level techniques in audio, MIDI and audio-visual production using industry standard software applications.
• Commercial Songwriting (3 hrs): Intermediate/advanced skill development in expressive songwriting: lyrics, form, rhythm, harmony, melody.
• Album Making, Pre- to Post-Production (3 hrs): Advanced team songwriting, demo recording, recording, editing, mixing and mastering to produce a full-length class compilation album.
Professional producers invited as guest speakers. Field trips to outside professional studios. Introduction to album release and marketing business topics.
• Original Solo Album Capstone Project (3 hrs): Individualized capstone project for advanced commercial music students.