Music & Digital Media

In this course, students learn key introductory theoretical concepts and language. Learners study scores and listening examples to reinforce their knowledge of the elements of music and music theory. Students describe and analyze the connections between individual musical components and larger musical structures. Learners explore music from a broad range of time periods and cultures to connect social, cultural, and musical concepts.

In this introductory course, students develop filmmaking skills in both cinematography and post-production as well as a basic understanding of project management. Students learn the technical craft of cinematography through hands-on work with cameras and lighting. Learners also explore how cinematography can increase understanding and appreciation of a musical performance. Students create, organize, and edit their footage into cohesive finished projects using non-linear video editing software.

In this course, student musicians learn standard recording techniques and principles, audio editing, and the associated software and hardware tools. Learners explore microphone types, placement, and orientation, and hear the results of different techniques. Students learn how to set up a recording session and perform basic editing and mixing using an industry-standard Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and produce a recording from start to finish. 

In this course, students learn foundational knowledge and skills in keyboarding and musical theory.  Learners participate in a hands-on, applied environment to support musical proficiency.

In this performance-based course, students learn to read and perform written musical scores as well as develop listening skills. Learners develop listening skills through ear training exercises that focus on the identification of fundamental theoretical principles of listening and learn to read and perform musical scores through exercises, excerpts, and music selections. Learners develop the aural skills needed to work in the fields of music, recording, and other media industries. The course is divided into three components: ear training skills, sight reading skills, and ensemble rehearsals.

In this interdisciplinary course, students are introduced to the histories and social contexts of the performing, visual, and literary arts. Learners explore the integration of art forms through the study of the foundational elements of specific art forms, as well as the principles of design including visual, auditory, and literary. Students develop and apply criteria to evaluate the significance and quality of art using lenses that consider social context, skill, and personal narrative.  

In this course, students learn ensemble skills. Students explore fundamental techniques for improving proficiency in vocal and/or instrumental performance, reading scores or lead sheets, developing repertoire, and interpreting different musical styles and genres. Learners have the opportunity to perform in-progress work for their peers in a collaborative and supportive environment. Students learn strategies to assist in preparation for various types of performance. 

In this course, students build on foundational knowledge of elements of music and visual media and refine their ability to critically analyze the connections between the two. Learners also explore the relationships between social and cultural concepts, music, and visual media. Students prepare to create their own music and digital media projects in other courses.

In this course, students further develop their filmmaking skills in production and post-production phases. Learners apply project management skills to their projects, seeing them through development to completion. Students refine their cinematography through studio and location filming and begin to learn the skills to convey the depth of expression and emotion of a live musical performance in the video medium. Learners continue to hone their editing skills and utilize industry standard post-production techniques to create professional content. Students, informed by music visualizations and the history of visual music, explore bringing different forms of music to the screen.

In this course, students refine their recording and editing skills in a hands-on setting. Learners explore compression and equalization techniques and learn to use effects to achieve a pre-determined sound aesthetic. Students learn how to set up, manage, record, and mix medium-scale recording sessions. Learners set-up, run, and record live sound for a small-scale concert.

In this course, students learn about the architecture and language of Western music. Learners expand upon foundational elements of music theory in the context of both the common practice period and the contemporary context of jazz and popular music. Students develop skills for understanding and analyzing the harmonic structure of tonal and contemporary music to assist them as they move forward into composition. 

Students develop the aural skills needed to work in the fields of music, recording, and other media industries. Learners apply knowledge and strategies to accurately sight-sing, transcribe, and perform musical passages from a variety of musical eras and cultures. Students employ singing techniques and rehearsal collaboration skills to achieve effective performances. 

In this course, students practice and refine techniques for improving proficiency in vocal and/or instrumental performance, reading scores or lead sheets, developing repertoire, and interpreting different musical styles and genres. Learners have continued opportunity to perform in-progress work for their peers in a collaborative and supportive environment and to participate in discussions regarding methods of preparation and practice. Students improve upon existing strategies that assist in preparation for various types of performance.

In this advanced course, students create music visualizations using various forms of animation. Learners apply video production techniques to document integrated arts performances. Students situate their own work in a broader context of contemporary and historical art though screenings, discussion, and analysis. Students combine technical and analytic skills to create videos that convey a specific artistic vision through the integration of music and motion graphics.

In this course, students learn an introductory overview of audio synthesis and visual programming using industry standard software. Learners explore various audio synthesis methods including additive, subtractive, sampling, granular synthesis, and various types of modulation techniques. Students study the history of the synthesizer and electronic music and explore many of the current sound design trends in electronic music.

In this course, students learn theoretical concepts and tools to compose music for visual media. Learners explore how music functions to enhance the content of different types of visual media. Students shape the elements of music and use compositional devices to create different emotions in their compositions. Learners use musical notation software to score and edit music as well as a digital audio workstation to produce compositions.

In this interdisciplinary arts course, students learn to plan, develop, create, and perform in integrated arts projects. It builds on and puts to practical use theoretical knowledge, using the foundational elements of various artforms, as well as principles of design – including visual, auditory, and literary – students create collaborative projects utilizing multiple artforms.

In this course, students learn entrepreneurial skills and the knowledge of business concepts that will help them thrive in their careers. Learners explore concepts of project management, marketing in the context of project and event planning, and awareness of legal issues relevant to artists . Students collaborate to produce an artistic event, and in the process, learn strategies to work effectively as a team.

In this course, students use techniques in various types of performance, reading scores or lead sheets, developing repertoire, and interpreting different musical styles and genres. Learners rehearse and perform in large ensembles and prepare music of diverse styles in a collaborative and supportive environment for performance. Students improve upon existing strategies to assist in preparation for various types of performance.

In this capstone course, students apply their knowledge of recording, sound design history and techniques, and project management to design, create, and implement an audio project. Learners investigate relevant historical and contemporary artists, trends, and approaches to creating and integrating auditory and visual elements. Students evaluate their own sound design skills and decisions to improve the effectiveness of their art. Learners apply skills in studio and/or field settings.

In this interdisciplinary arts course, students use their theoretical knowledge to create, and gain practical experience in collaborating on, an integrated arts installation. Students prepare for independent workplace practice by using the foundational elements of various artforms – including visual, auditory, and literary – as well as the principles of design to collaborate with peers and explore the full process and creation of an integrated arts installation.

In this course, students gain advanced entrepreneurial skills with a specific focus on personal brand development. Learners develop a marketing strategy and apply their project management knowledge and use online tools to implement their plan. Students engage in networking opportunities that can support career development and practice grant writing skills to obtain different types of funding for their artistic activities. Learners practice professionalism in all verbal and written communications and explore data visualization techniques and tools that will support their ability to manage and market projects.

Students use techniques to further develop their proficiency in vocal and/or instrumental performance, reading scores or lead sheets, developing repertoire, and interpreting different musical styles and genres. Learners rehearse and perform in large ensemble groups comprising the entire class and prepare music of diverse styles in a collaborative and supportive environment for small ensemble performances in both recording studios and live settings. Students implement strategies to assist in preparation for diverse types of performance.

In this course, students explore the field of emerging technologies in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner. Learners work with new/emerging technologies, adopt strategies to become familiar with the technology and apply the technology to support the production of a digital work of art.