Music Technology (BMT)

Students explore trends in media and their impact on society. The course emphasizes historical, ethical, legal, and societal issues in relation to Christianity. 

Students gain insight into structures, management, processes, the economics of and issues surrounding Media and the Arts. An emphasis is placed on financial stability and profitability in a changing media market. 

Electronic Music workshop is an ensemble performance group that studies music employing electronic media, including real-time digital signal processing, multimedia, and live performance. Technical aspects of the course focus on programming using visual programming languages to create interactive projects and algorithmic compositions.

This course briefly considers the fundamental elements of music theory, including notation, scales, intervals, key signatures, meter and rhythm, and triads and their respective inversions. The majority of the course focuses on harmonic analysis, figured bass, cadences, non-harmonic tones, melodic organization, and texture/textural reduction.

This course is devoted to the development of musicianship skills through ear training, sight singing, and functional keyboard instruction. Course content includes the recognition and execution of intervals, diatonic melodic and rhythmic patterns in symmetrical meters, scalar materials, and triads and seventh chords found in folk, pop, and classical music by chanting, singing, playing, and transcription. 

This course is designed as a continuation of the work encountered in Music Theory I. Course contents include voice leading and melodic motion, cadences and harmonic progression, secondary chords structures, modal mixture, an introduction to modulation, and modern song forms. Applicable content from classical, popular, and world music is examined. 

This course is a continuation of the work encountered in Music Theory Lab I. Course content includes continued development of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic reading and recognition skills, scalar materials, non-diatonic chords, recognizing modern song forms, basic Nashville numbers, chord chart, and lead sheet realization, basic harmonization techniques, harmonic progression, and basic ornamentation and improvisation by chanting, singing, playing and transcription. 

This course is a study of commercial music from vaudeville to the Internet and beyond with an emphasis on music technology and how it has enabled the music industry and commercial music to explore ever-expanding paths. 

This course pursues the recognition and execution of elements found in popular and jazz music. Course content includes extended and altered chords, keyboard voicings, articulation, rhythmic patterns, advanced harmonic progression, improvisation techniques, basic reharmonization, chart realization and creation, related song forms and composition, stylistic considerations, and basic arranging of vocals, rhythm section, strings, and horns for jazz and popular music styles.

The study of popular music from the perspective of practicing its foundational elements as an arranger/planner for musical events.

Students develop a comprehensive foundation of live production principles, both from the perspective of production engineers and worship leaders.  

To introduce students to the theories, practices, and tools used in digital audio production. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to operate audio signal equipment technically and creatively, effectively plan, set-up, and engineer recording sessions, select appropriate equipment for a variety of recording standards, use outboard gear practically, and develop auditory facets through critical listening and perceptual engagement. 

Students continue to develop skills in live audio, video, and stage production, building on the skills gained through Live Production I.

To give the student an introduction to electronic circuitry to create control points for electronic devices. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to create and build rudimentary electronic devices using Arduino, read basic schematic diagrams, breadboard, solder, and connect theoretical principles of electronics with technical and practical music applications.

To give the student an introduction to electronic circuitry to create control points for electronic devices. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to create and build rudimentary electronic devices using Arduino, read basic schematic diagrams, breadboard, solder, and connect theoretical principles of electronics with technical and practical music applications.

This course expands upon the student’s work in the recording industry by introducing the concepts, software, and applications of mixing and mastering. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to create digital mockups of a variety of ensembles; apply mixing and mastering techniques to drums, instruments, and vocals; critically analyze spectral domains; prepare audio for physical and virtual dissemination; and effectively utilize industry-standard software. 

Students study and create expressive sound by building electronic instruments, using sonic goals as inspiration for design features. Topics include contact microphones, basic synthesizers, digital controllers, and physical enclosures.

Students use a combination of audio components, software, synthesis, 3D Printing technology, computer science, and electrical engineering to design and build electronic instruments. Taken in conjunction with the Building Electronic Instruments course.

Students develop skills related to capturing, creating and manipulating sonic materials for film and video. Students explore techniques for developing and presenting audio materials for a variety of narrative situations.

To give the student a thorough overview of theoretical and creative applications of computer music programming as it relates to electronic music and sound design. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to create sound producing and transforming patches to satisfy creative projects/problems, adapt real-time control methods, analyze peer or professional patches for signal flow, accurately troubleshoot programming issues, and connect theoretical principles of sound design and music theory with practical programming skills.

Students engage and experiment with sound design, signal flow, and practical computer music programming skills. Co-requisites: MUTC 3900 Computer Science for Audio Development I. 

Computer Science for Audio Development II

Songwriting and Composition
This course will introduce the elements and procedures of song composition useful in a church setting. Basic concepts of the creative writing process will be explored, with specific focus on the craft of songwriting. The class will focus on disciplines that not only aid in songwriting but help shape a broader understanding of Kingdom-minded artistic endeavors. 

Students explore the potential for utilization of synthesis and sound design in music composition using both acoustic and electronic instruments in both traditional and experimental formats.

Students apply concepts of acoustic orchestration to digital applications for commercial multimedia including film scores, video games, television, advertisements, and virtual reality.

Note: (.25 credit, taken 8 times)

Students engage in a community forum dedicated to the exploration of the digital arts and technology. Students will receive critiques on their technical and creative works, participate in group discussions, engage with guest presentations, and explore related fields such as grant writing, entrepreneurship, and career development.

Under the supervision of a qualified professional, interns gain real-world experience in a Arts environment 

Students demonstrate a culmination of skills developed during their Communication studies. Students produce a final communication project, utilizing a variety of skills and media equipment, which showcases practical communication skills and an understanding of legal, ethical, and moral issues in communication studies. 

Students will complete four hours (at least two hours must be piano) of private piano instruction and two hours of coursework in synthesizers and samplers.