Commercial Music (CMUS)
An introduction to current music technology used in generating music for the commercial music marketplace. This includes using a digital audio workstation, recording analog music, programming digital music, triggering loops in real time, and notating music digitally.
Offered: Resident and Online
A practical introduction to harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic principles of music for the commercial musician. Musical elements will be analyzed and special attention given to the Nashville Number System and commercial harmony practices as methodologies for commercial music analysis. Examination of commercial music and contemporary Christian music genres provides resources for practical application of harmonic principles. Construction of rhythm charts is also emphasized.
Offered: Resident and Online
Online Prerequisite: CMUS 105
Continuation of CMUS 105. Harmonic analysis, part-writing techniques, and chord construction are taught in conjunction with the Nashville Number System and commercial analysis. Principles of tonal music are explored in commercial music contexts including chromatic harmony and chord extensions typical of commercial music. Harmonic analysis is emphasized.
Offered: Resident and Online
Resident Prerequisite: CMUS 105 (may be taken concurrently)
Listening skills are developed through rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic dictation. Commercial musicianship skills are refined through sight singing and rhythm exercises from a variety of styles. Special attention is given to tonal center referencing. The course also develops the ability to identify harmonic rhythm while listening to a variety of musical styles.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 107
A continuation of CMUS 107. Further study of harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic dictation and continued development of tonal center referencing technique. Students continue to sharpen listening skills by identifying the harmonic rhythm of a variety of commercial and representative classical and folk music genres.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course focuses on the musical and technological techniques of contemporary film composition. Development of fundamental skill in traditional and non-traditional composition practices using technology through the creation of short works is emphasized.
Offered: Resident and Online
Private lessons appropriate to commercial music disciplines, which include voice, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, recording engineering and producing, songwriting, film scoring, and other solo instruments.
Registration Restrictions: Consent of Instructor
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 151
Continuation of CMUS 151, private lessons appropriate to commercial music disciplines, which include voice, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, recording engineering and producing, songwriting, film scoring, and other solo instruments.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to participate in various commercial music ensemble formations, receiving weekly coaching with faculty members, and present a public performance during the term.
Offered: Resident and Online
A survey to popular and jazz music writers, influences, and trends. Emphasis is placed on a general overview of personalities and their unique influences within each of these genres.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 102
This course provides training in studio production techniques. Students learn studio miking for instruments and voice, digital audio workstations, and general techniques for studio production.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 152
Continuation of CMUS 152, private lessons appropriate to commercial music disciplines, which include voice, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, recording engineering and producing, songwriting, film scoring, and other solo instruments.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 251
Continuation of CMUS 251, private lessons appropriate to commercial music disciplines, which include voice, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, recording engineering and producing, songwriting, film scoring, and other solo instruments.
Offered: Resident and Online
Students will become familiar with the responsibilities of a tour planner and a concert promoter. Students will participate in planning concerts in various size venues and learn the procedures and necessary tasks. Students will learn the processes for concert promotion. Tour planning projects are assigned, giving the students insight into the fundamental elements of tour management and production. Booking an artist will also be studied within the context of secular venues, Christian venues, festivals, large and small venues and churches.
Offered: Resident
This course is designed to develop the artist for a career in the music industry. Students will engage in the principles of artist branding, fanbase communication, merchandise development, and marketing and distribution of their music and artistry. Spiritual formation and personal integrity as well as stage performance, creative stage production, song selection and repertoire development will be discussed.
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: CMUS 106
This course addresses the stagecraft necessary to serve as music director in commercial music and includes worship leadership, touring, musical theatre, and leadership needed to oversee recording studio sessions.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is a survey of sound reinforcement and provides training in sound system setup, design, implementation and front of house and monitor mixing for venues, tours, and houses of worship.
Offered: Resident and Online
The study of computer applications in commercial music, including competencies in the use of music notation software, sequencing, and the fundamental technology skills for publication and producing.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 330
This course is the investigation of computer applications for a variety of commercial musical purposes, including the following: use of multi-track music recording software; sequencing, using loops; integrating MIDI and digital audio; digital audio data capture and editing; and sound shaping.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course develops skills in using a digital audio workstation for music production.
Offered: Online
Online Prerequisite: CMUS 335
Building on the foundation in CMUS 335, this course develops advanced skills in using a digital audio workstation for music production.
Offered: Online
A study of entertainment law in the music industry including its origins, rationale, protections and limitations. Includes study of mechanicals, streaming, copyright, performing rights organizations, and independent artists.
Offered: Online
An examination of the background and principles of contract law as applied to the negotiation, creation, interpretation and enforcement of binding agreements in the music industry. This course also involves a study of music licensing and work for hire, royalties, and residuals.
Offered: Online
A study of the operational principles of recorded music distribution for independent artists and for mainstream record labels. This includes monetization of recorded music through streaming, special events, merchandising, and other methods.
Offered: Online
A study of the theories and techniques used in the marketing of recorded music by major and independent labels and artists to consumers. Topics include market structure and analysis, distribution methods, promotional strategies, charts, airplay, pricing, research, and legal issues specific to entertainment marketing. This course also discusses use of music in marketing other products.
Offered: Online
An analysis of the various aspects of artist development and tour management. This includes contracts with venues, riders, audience projections/demographics, and finance (budgets, corporate sponsorships, gate receipts, etc.).
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 106
This course provides opportunity for students to develop skill in strategic areas of vocal or instrumental improvisational technique in commercial music contexts. Investigative studies include the relationship between improvisation and harmonic context in contemporary popular, rock, black gospel, and jazz idioms.
Offered: Resident and Online
Online Prerequisite: CMUS 218
This course provides the fundamentals of audio recording and producing including equipment function and application, recording console operation, microphone technique, first and second engineer skill sets, session setup, signal processing, troubleshooting, and critical listening as well as fundamentals for music production and album creation.
Offered: Online
A study of the music entrepreneur and basic principles, founded on a biblical worldview, for starting a business within the context of the commercial music community: discovering their unique value in the music marketplace, developing their brand, finding and connecting with their customer/fan, potential revenue streams, budgeting, and cost analysis of their business.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course delineates the crafting and production processes necessary for song development within music industry contexts. It addresses the musical, technological, mentoring, and business fundamentals necessary for music producers to construct songs and media content, recognizing how to generate and promote potentially viable product within commercial projects and ventures.
Offered: Resident
An intensive individual production project in which the graduating senior will demonstrate competence in his or her field of commercial music study. A digital portfolio will be created to showcase work done throughout the student’s program of study; this will be used for career advancement as well as academic evaluation. Artifacts of commercial music work will be posted in the portfolio that highlights audio/video components and other industry-oriented elements of value – especially online video, song leadsheets, and audio samples).
Registration Restrictions: Passing the sophomore review in a BM in Commercial Music concentration/program and either MUSC 368, MUSC 369, MUSC 396, or MUSC 398
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: Sophomore Review with a score of 1
Students will apply their music production skills in a capstone project that will reflect a comprehensive expression of the abilities they have mastered through their commercial music course work.
Offered: Resident
Online Prerequisite: CMUS 329
This course is designed to advance the student utilizing the skills and knowledge gained in the Fundamentals of Sound Reinforcement (CMUS 329) course. Students will gain deeper training in mixing different kinds of concerts, adapting to various venues while on tour, and working with varied groups and live sound situations as an in-house engineer. Practical mixing instruction will provide repeatable workflows for working in a variety of contexts.
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 106
This course provides training in songwriting. Emphasis is given to writing lyrics, melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic grooves for developing songs within a commercial music setting.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: MUSC 334
Students will work to further develop and learn the techniques used in composing and scoring music for television and film productions; practical writing experience. Assignments representing realistic situations will be recorded synchronously to the specific needs of film scenes.
Offered: Resident
Online Prerequisite: CMUS 336
This course provides advanced development of real-world digital audio workstation skills and techniques for editing, mixing, and mastering.
Offered: Online
Applied study in a specialized audio production topic such as mixing or other aspects of digital audio production. This course is tailored to the student’s individual goals.
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 193
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to participate in various commercial music ensemble formations, receiving weekly coaching with faculty members and guests as approved, and present a public performance during the term.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 436
This is a capstone course usually completed near the end of the degree program. This course involves preparing a capstone commercial music project, which can be a recording project, songwriting program, film scoring program, applied performance, or research paper.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: CMUS 436
Directed applicable work experience under the supervision of an administrator or professional at a place of business within commercial music. Applications are processed through the School of Music. Applicants must apply at least one semester prior to starting the internship.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or Senior status; 2.00 GPA; Approval of School of Music Internship Coordinator
Offered: Resident and Online