Vocal Artist Program

MTH1112 Music Theory I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Introduction to the basic concepts of music theory and its applications in songwriting and music creation. Topics include Time signatures, rhythms, major scale formulas, intervals, chords and their function, harmonic analysis and melodic function in music theory.

HST1201 Music History

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A survey of the history of popular music through the ages. This course utilizes rich multimedia accompaniment to regular class discussion to highlight the lineage of influence which spawns current popular music today. Discussing prehistoric music, through church and classical, gospel, motown, rock, grunge and electronic; this course exposes students to musical technological concepts and innovations that led to the existence of contemporary music as we know it.

VOC1111 Vocal Techniques I

1 Credit Hour / 20 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A thorough and rudimentary guide into the techniques involved around using the voice effectively, efficiently, and powerfully. Students work through weekly vocal practice exercises to gain greater control and range within their vocal ability. Sessions in small and large ensembles help students tighten their inner tuning while singing with others.

VET1111 Ear Training I

1 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Functional and philosophical ear training. Investigates basic ear training techniques to help students understand what they are hearing both technically and critically. Practical exercises unlock nuances in the ear-mind connection, empowering students to better understand what they hear and to apply this knowledge towards the development of better music. Engaged weekly in-class transcriptions exercises help solidify this connection through active repetition each week.

DRP1111 Demo Recording & Production I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

An exploration of the fundamentals of digital recording and the best practices of professional music production. Provides practical introduction to Pro Tools and Ableton as a recording, sequencing and arranging platform. Presentations and exercises include microphone selection and placement, basic signal processing, MIDI, recording, comping vocal takes, editing and basic mixing.

VGT1111 Groove Theory I

1 Credit Hour /22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

The first level of this interactive course engages students in learning rhythmic concepts, counting meter, subdivisions, and basic grooves through hand percussion instruction. A core component of each student’s foundation in musical knowledge and ability, this course covers fundamentals of playing hand percussion instruments, playing in time, and a study of the evolution of groove through the centuries spanning afro-cuban roots and it’s evolution into contemporary drum and percussion grooves.

KTL1111 Keyboard Techniques Lab I

1 Credit Hour / 30 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Introduction to the basic concepts of the playing the piano keyboard. Topics include motor skills, major and minor scales, chords, inversions, and playing 2-handed.

VMT1111 Studio Mentor: Vocal Mentor

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional vocal coach. Mentors provide guidance in the development of student’s original music, vocal technique, vocal performance and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Vocal Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

MTH1222 Music Theory II

2 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Theory I

A continuation of the concepts of music theory and its applications in music creation. Topics include basslines & slash chords, transcription, cadences, voicing and extensions, introduction to modes, borrowed chords, and secondary chords.

VOC1221 Vocal Techniques II

2 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Vocal Techniques I

Continuing on through more advanced vocal work, these lessons dive into more detail with regard to nuance in emotional delivery, stylistic considerations within selected genres, and advanced control techniques in extreme ranges of the voice. Workshops in solo, group and ensemble configurations help solidify concepts in a variety of performance applications from backup singing, leading a band, to full choir performance.

SNG1311 Songwriting I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 2 courses

Examines the core components that make up great songs. Songwriting is examined and demystified as both a career and a process. Instills a greater command of writing lyrics, melodies, and hooks, writing for vocalists, and the collaborative songwriting process. Coursework includes topics such as chord progressions, melody structure, and rhythmic shifts.

VET1221 Ear Training II

1 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Ear Training I

Expands on the technical and critical ear training techniques. Practical exercises in identifying frequencies added or removed from noise, frequency ranges and how content works within these ranges, pitch and tuning. Coursework includes solfege with major intervals and minor intervals.

DRP1221 Demo Recording & Production II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Demo Recording & Production I

Continues discussion of digital recording, arranging and music sequencing in both Pro Tools and Ableton. Provides practical introduction to Pro Tools as a recording, sequencing and arranging platform. Presentations and exercises include microphone selection and placement, basic signal processing, MIDI, recording, comping vocal take editing and basic mixing.

LYM1310 Lyrics & Melodies

1 Credit Hour /22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 2 courses

This course is dedicated to the nuanced art of lyric writing. Designed to run concurrently with "Songwriting I" in Level 3, it aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of lyricism. This knowledge will enhance their overall melody creation skills in songwriting.

KTL1221 Keyboard Techniques Lab II

1 Credit Hour / 20 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Keyboard Techniques I

A continuation of weekly tasks aimed at improving the familiarity with the piano keyboard. Coursework topics include harmonic and non-harmonic tones including suspensions, anticipations, passing and neighboring tones, as well as expanding harmonic progressions into more complex and compelling extended musical passages. Lessons designed to utilize techniques for finger dexterity, hand placement, accuracy, and timing.

VMT1221 Studio Mentor: Production Mentor

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 1 Courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional music producer. Mentors provide guidance in the production and performance of the student’s original music and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Studio Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

MTH1332 Music Theory III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Theory II

This course is designed to give a greater understanding of melody, composition of melody and its relationship to harmony, as well as the basics of counterpoint. Students are given tools to use in creating different types of emotion, as well as transcribing and analyzing existing music.

CLB1321 Collaboration Writing

2 Credit Hours / 14 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 2 Courses

Intro course for collaboration with other songwriters. Students are provided with objectives and guidelines to create music collaboratively in real-world songwriting, recording and “top-lining” sessions. They will learn to establish a workflow, delegate tasks, and deliver song projects on time within specific constraints.

PRL1311 Live Performance I

1 Credit Hour / 24 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Vocal Techniques I

This course involves weekly performances with backing tracks, a studio musician and four piece band. Real world experience on a stage in front of an audience solidifies vocal performance techniques gathered in previous courses. Performances are evaluated by both instructor and peers in weekly exercises. Performances are filmed for students to reflect on their own delivery, stage presence and performance.

SNG1421 Songwriting II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Songwriting I

Advanced lyric and songwriting concepts. Classwork focuses on writing vocal harmonies, re- harmonizing existing melodies, developing hooks, rhythmic melodies, writing songs for others, demo recording of songwriting and fundamental principles of vocal arrangements.

TAM1301 The Artist Mindset

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 2 courses

Introduction to techniques used to tap into an artist’s creative potential and talent. Students learn how to overcome writer’s block and continue the flow of creativity throughout the process of developing their music. Discussions focus on critical analysis and overcoming fear, trusting their creative intuitions, developing exercises to maintain inspiration, and learning to apply discipline, dedication, and faith in the development of a unique artistic path

SPT1102 Studio Performance Techniques

2 Credit Hours / 33 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Demo Recording & Production II

This course provides a foundation for vocal techniques in studio recording sessions. Real studio recording sessions are hosted by and instructor in a variety of formats which exist in the modern era of vocal recording. Terminology, standards, expectations, preparation, communication and professional etiquette are covered in detail within the weekly exercises in this course.

BIZ1411 Music Business I

2 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 3 courses

Establishes a foundation of general business practices for music industry entrepreneurs. Coursework includes how to navigate the entertainment industry, protect their intellectual property, and function within the ever-evolving music industry.

VMT1331 Studio Mentor: Vocal Mentor

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 2 courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional vocal coach. Mentors provide guidance in the development of student’s original music, vocal technique, vocal performance and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Vocal Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

CLB1420VB The Collaboration Project

2 Credit Hours / 14 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Collaboration Writing

Capstone course focusing on how to work successfully in teams and overcome obstacles to produce a musical project. Students are provided with objectives and milestones to create a 3 song EP in a collaborative effort. Topics include song creation, writing sessions, sound design, branding, recording, mixing, and mastering.

PRL2421 Live Performance II

2 Credit Hour / 24 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Live Performance I

Continued weekly performances aid students in continuing to refine their performance craft. On a stage with a live band, students dig deeper into finer performance techniques. Topics include refining stage presence, and creating charts of original songs to perform with a 4 piece band. Peer evaluations help students evaluate each other and their own recorded performances more objectively.

SNG2131 Songwriting III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Songwriting II

Expanding on previous concepts, students are exposed to advanced lyric writing, harmonic choices, unique song structures, timing & delivery, and other general songwriting concepts. Classwork focuses on in-depth analysis of classic and contemporary songs and utilization of the concepts learned within.

EAD1400 Elements of Artist Development

1 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level Three courses

This comprehensive course equips students with fundamental knowledge in branding, artist development, and visual design. Students will analyze real-world examples of successful artist development and branding to grasp effective strategies and best practices. Additionally, they will learn to use Photoshop and other visual design tools, helping them to create professional-grade graphics and visuals.

CRL2200 Creative Revenue Lab

1 Credit Hour / 20 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level V courses

This course is designed to give a greater understanding of alternative revenue streams as an artist within the music industry.

BIZ2231 Music Business III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Business II

Music media, promotion, and marketing. This course investigates the concepts and practices of online marketing, social media, publicity, radio promotion, visual media, and merchandising.

VMT1441 Studio Mentor: Vocal Mentor

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Level 3 courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional vocal coach. Mentors provide guidance in the development of student’s original music, vocal technique, vocal performance and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Vocal Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.