Courses
Writing Skills
Exploration of the elements and concepts of music and how they combine and interact to create compositions and arrangements as applied to the rhythm section (guitar, keyboard, bass, and drums).
Technology Tools for the Writer
Development of skills and concepts necessary for effective operation of a computer-based music writing workstation.
Multimedia for the Writer
A hands-on introduction to multimedia and a survey of available applications.
Music Notation Software Workshop
Designed primarily for novice users of both notation software and music notation itself, but useful for all, this is a project based, hands-on, workshop type course designed to teach students immed
Music of the English-Speaking Caribbean Islands
This course will look at the development of English-speaking Caribbean Island music and its most influential artists over the past sixty years.
Vocal Writing
Conceptualizing, writing, and producing vocals; contemporary writing and production techniques for vocal groups of different sizes; working with vocals in live situations versus the recording studi
Advanced Production for Writers
A project-driven course that focuses on production from the writer's perspective.
Jingle Writing
Composition of music for radio and television commercials. Emphasis on means of creating suitable product image. Working with, and alteration of, given lyrics. Some lyric writing.
Contemporary Orchestration for Digital Audio Workstations
This course covers advanced sequencing and orchestration techniques in the electronic and hybrid realms of production for acoustic ensembles.
Writing and Production Techniques in the Pop/Rock Idiom
Techniques of instrumental and vocal writing, arranging, and production in the pop/rock idiom.
Contemporary Orchestration
Exploration of techniques of writing for each orchestral instrument and for various combinations of instruments, unusual orchestral instruments, and special effects many instruments can create.
Writing in Salsa Styles
A study of rhythmic styles of contemporary salsa music, including characteristics of instrumentation and the unique clave rhythmic pattern.
Scoring for Advertising
A study of the creative, technical, production, and business aspects of writing music for visual media, primarily television commercials.
Scoring for Percussion
Survey of the mallet, membrane, and accessory groups of the percussion instrument family. Demonstration and discussion of notation, range, techniques, and effects.
Electronic Writing and Production
This course has two purposes: first, to provide the student with the necessary synthesis, sound design, and electronic creative tools to be competitive in the contemporary writing industry; and sec
Writing for Woodwinds
A study of the flute, clarinet, and double reed families based on intensive listening, transcription, live demonstration, and composition.
Writing and Producing for Music/Media Libraries
This course covers advanced creative, technical, production, and business aspects of writing for music and media libraries.
Contemporary Applications of 12-Tone Concepts
Alternative approaches and concepts to writing that can be used in various aspects of songwriting, arranging, and composing for contemporary broadcast media, such as film and TV scores, that will s
Contemporary Writing and Production Internship
Monitored and evaluated professional work experience in an environment related to the contemporary writing and production major.
Musical Theater Arranging and Orchestration
Study of orchestration in musical theater and the role of the orchestra in a theater piece.