Commercial Music, B.M.

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The commercial music curriculum is designed to prepare students for a career in the creative side of the music industry. Commercial Music emphasizes collaborative, project-based learning where students progress through a highly integrated, entrepreneurial driven curriculum encompassing songwriting, arranging, performing, recording engineering, and audio production.

Commercial Music Learning Goals

Demonstrate critical listening and theoretical skills through transcription, harmonization, composition or arranging and style differentiation
Demonstrate technological skills in the recording studio or computer-based DAW, or through music production, as well as associated listening skills
Demonstrate an understanding of legal, marketing, and monetary issues in relation to career opportunities in the music and entertainment industries.

University Studies Requirements

Students in the College of Fine Arts are responsible for meeting all university-wide requirements and the requirements for a major in the College. See the section on Graduation Requirements in the Bulletin for those programs.

Special requirements for students certifying to teach are listed with the descriptions of those programs.

Music Core

MT 111 - Music Theory I Credit(s): 3
MT 112 - Music Theory II Credit(s): 3
MT 211 - Music Theory III Credit(s): 3
MT 113 - Aural Skills I Credit(s): 2
MT 114 - Aural Skills II Credit(s): 2
MT 213 - Aural Skills III Credit(s): 2
MH 211 - Survey of Western Music I Credit(s): 3
MH 311 - Survey of Commercial Music History Credit(s): 3
MH 316 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology Credit(s): 3
ML. Principal Credit(s): 8
MU Class Piano OR ML secondary applied if the proficiency is passed Credit(s): 2
MO Music Organizations, Ensembles Credit(s): 8
Core Credits: 43

Besides the University Studies and Music Core requirements, candidates must complete the following:

Course

ML Applied music, principal Credit(s): 4
MT 415 - Commercial Theory Credit(s): 3
MT 417 - Ears to Fingers Credit(s): 1
MC 101 - Introduction to the Music Industry Credit(s): 3
MC 104 - Introduction to the Recording Studio Credit(s): 2
MC 201 - Studio Techniques I Credit(s): 3
MC 202 - Studio Techniques II Credit(s): 3
MC 275 - Improvisational Styles Credit(s): 1
MC 276 - Improvisation Lab Credit(s): 1
OR
MC 220 - Studio Pressure Night Credit(s): 2
MC 230 - Music Industry Seminar Credit(s): 0 (7 semesters)
MC 235 - Revenue Streams Credit(s): 1
MH 311 - Survey of Commercial Music History Credit(s): 3
MC 312 - Legal Issues in the Arts Credit(s): 3
MC 313 - DIY: Music, Distro, Merch and Promo Credit(s): 2
MT 416 - Commercial Arranging Credit(s): 3
OR
MC 303 - Project Studio Credit(s): 3
MC 401 - Recording Engineering Practicum Credit(s): 2
MC 431 - Production Credit(s): 3
Electives
Degree Total: 120 credits

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