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, economics of, and issues surrounding Mass Media. 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.

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

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.

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.

Students learn about electronic circuit elements, electronic devices, and study circuits containing audio-related devices. Topics include soldering, breadboarding, and reading a basic schematic diagram.

Students experience manipulation of electronic circuit elements, electronic devices, and study circuits containing audio-related devices.

Students explore synthesis as a means of developing sounds by manipulating acoustic properties both computer-generated and recorded in nature. Students also develop MIDI as a language for communication between audio devices. Topics include aural perception of frequencies/noise, as well as manipulation of those sounds using various hardware and software techniques.

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 continue to study and create electronic instruments. Students also consider ways distinct objects can unite to form a musical performance system. Topics include musical listening and design, resonance of different materials, creating an enclosure, and expressive interaction with instruments.

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.

Students explore skills related to software development with an emphasis on audio/video content. Topics include basics of computer languages, object-oriented programming, and computer languages used for music/audio app development.

Students further develop skills with writing code for audio devices. Topics include computer languages used for music/audio app development, music information retrieval, and audio coding.

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 of private piano instruction and two hours of coursework in synthesizers and samplers.