Music Technology (BMT)

Students are introduced to mass communication and explore its culture-shaping power, contemporary issues, and media’s impact on society. Students evaluate media economics, forms, history, ethics, careers, legal issues, societal issues, and religious issues.

Students gain insight into structures, management, processes, and 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 aural skills through instruction in solfege-based sight singing, rhythmic dictation, simple melodic dictation, ear training, and functional keyboard/piano elements that include root position triads and selected major scales.

This course is designed as a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory I. Course contents include two- and four-part writing, harmonic progression, harmonic rhythm, dominant seventh chords, leading tone seventh chords, non-dominant seventh chords, and modulation.

This course is a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory Lab I. Course contents include sight-singing, rhythmic and melodic dictation, simple harmonic dictation, ear training and functional keyboard/piano elements that include inverted triads, root position seventh chords, all major scales, and selected minor scales.

The 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 analyze the use and advancement of audio and visual technology in today’s church and gain hands-on experience in live production. They learn mix theory and styles, the proper use of analog and digital consoles, microphones, signal processing, effects, amplifiers, loudspeakers, systems design, maintenance and repair, and stage monitor systems for sound reinforcement. Students also explore staging, set design and construction, lighting equipment, lighting design and techniques, projection systems, presentation software, switchers, camera operation, image magnification, simulcast, and recording.

Students learn the basics of multi-track recording and engineering while focusing on techniques for tracking, capturing, and mixing sound throughout the production process. Students use software and hardware as they apply the principles of sound; operate microphones, recording consoles, and mixers; and become familiar with the workflow of digital recording systems.

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.

Students continue to learn multi-track recording and engineering while focusing on tracking, capturing, and mixing sound throughout the production process. Students use software and hardware as they apply the principles of sound; operate microphones, recording consoles, and mixers; and become familiar with the workflow of digital recording systems.

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.

Computer Science for Audio Development II

Songwriting and Composition
This course will introduce the elements and procedures of song composition that will be most useful in a church setting. The writing of lyrics will be addressed from a background of sound biblical theology, and the writing of music, from basic compositional principles that incorporate both traditional/hymnic and contemporary/praise song expressions of style.

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 media work environment.

Students develop an integrated project based on demonstration of the principles of music technology. Potential projects include creation of electronic instruments, major original composition work, or interactive software/controllers for sonic performance.

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.