certificate in songwriting & production
The Certificate in Songwriting & Production (12 months, 4 quarters) is designed for music-makers looking to hone their songwriting and music production skills while developing their unique artistic voice. Faculty members act as mentors to help students along their journey of artistic self-discovery, giving guidance and production tips throughout the writing and recording process.
12 months / 4 quarters
Highlights of the CSMP program include:
• Making Music For Hire, a course introducing the tools and techniques necessary to create music for TV, film, advertising, video games, and other artists.
• Making Your EP, where students write, record, produce, mix, and master their own extended play (EP) recording, a valuable asset they can use to promote themselves.
• Originals Ensemble, where students gain experience working with and performing in a live band to bring their music from the page to the stage.
• Getting Started in the Music Business, where students explore branding and self-promotion using social media and other internet tools. They also develop release plans for their own music and discuss whom to approach about professional opportunities and how.
• Access to our on-campus recording studios and rehearsal spaces.
expand to see the full course syllabus: FIRST QUARTER: 14 Units Popular Music Theory I Ear Training I Rhythm Training I Piano Proficiency I Private Lesson & Jury Presentation I Intro to Songwriting Intro to Lyric Writing Music Technology I Elective (Required) SECOND QUARTER: 16 Units Popular Music Theory II Ear Training II Rhythm Training II Piano Proficiency II Private Lesson & Jury Presentation II Writing In Popular Styles Advanced Lyric Writing Music Technology II Writing and Producing for Drums Publishing, Copyright, and Contracts I Elective (Required) THIRD QUARTER: 16 Units Extended Harmony Ear Training III Private Lesson & Jury Presentation Producing in Popular Styles Music Technology III & Lab Writing and Producing for Bass Publishing, Copyright, and Contracts II Studio Recording Techniques Arranging for Modern Band Elective (Required) FOURTH QUARTER: 14 Units Private Lesson & Jury Presentation IV Making Your EP Making Music For Hire Collaborative Songwriting Music Technology IV & Lab Originals Ensemble Getting Started In The Music Business Studio Recording Sessions Elective (Required)
program purposes.
The purposes of the Certificate in Songwriting and Music Production program are:
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to establish an intermediate to advanced level of songwriting ability;
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to establish an intermediate to advanced level of music production ability;
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to establish an intermediate to advanced level of lyric writing ability;
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to gain experience writing and producing music for, and in collaboration with, other musicians;
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to gain experience writing and producing music set to video;
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to develop intermediate music arranging skills for live band;
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to provide at least one opportunity for students to publicly showcase their work;
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to guide students along their journey to artistic self-discovery;
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to develop an understanding of music technology and intermediate to advanced skills in a digital audio workstation (DAW);
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to develop studio recording abilities through multiple session experiences;
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to develop fluency in music theory, including notational skills and an understanding of advanced harmonic structures;
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to develop strong aural skills, including the ability to transcribe melodies and harmonic progressions;
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to instill a nuanced understanding of rhythm and accuracy of rhythmic interpretation;
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to establish basic proficiency at the keyboard;
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to establish skills for effective self-promotion;
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to develop a basic understanding of music publishing;
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to equip students with a strong foundation for self-expression through popular music, as evidenced by a small-to medium-sized portfolio of recorded work, including at least a three-song extended play (EP) recording.
