Songwriting

This course provides the basics of vocal technique for the commercial musician. Emphasis is placed on the development of solo vocal skills and technique, and the understanding of vocal physiology and health. This course centers on learning the course material through the lens of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) pedagogy and application. All of the information in this course is designed to teach how one may both achieve high vocal efficiency with low vocal effort to ensure vocal health and longevity. The basic methodologies studied are rooted in the anatomy and physiology of the vocal apparatus.

This course explores a range of 20th and 21st century popular music genres in their social, political, and aesthetic contexts. The course builds critical thinking and listening skills through analysis of sound recordings and close engagement with a variety of popular media, including music criticism, interviews, biography, liner notes, and documentary film. Emphasis will be placed on how musical practices intersect with both historical and contemporary struggles for gender equity and racial justice, alongside other pressing social issues.

This course provides students with knowledge of and hands-on practice with the basics of working in a recording studio, including acquiring knowledge of studio set up and the essentials of recording music digitally.

This course provides students with instruction in writing, arranging, performing, and recording original songs. Students will learn about songwriting through analyzing the form, texture, and motivic structures of popular songs. Students will write multiple songs during the semester, record them, and perform them on concert showcases.

Further instruction in songwriting through analysis of textures, motivic structure, and compound forms of recent popular songs. Students will write, record, and perform multiple songs during the semester.

This course provides students with further instruction in writing, arranging, performing, and recording original songs. Students will write up to four songs in a variety of styles and in a variety of instrumentations. Students will create recordings of each song and at least one of their songs will be performed in a concert showcase.

This course provides students the opportunity to explore and learn about a variety of popular music genres and styles through performance in a cover band. Students will rehearse and perform songs (covers) with the ensemble taking on various roles. The ensemble will present at least one formalized concert each semester.