Music Technology

This course provides the knowledge necessary to function as a fluent computer user in today’s technological society. Topics include computer terminology, computer hardware and software 
capabilities, what makes a computer powerful, the societal impact of computers, ergonomics, ethical computing behavior, information privacy, and computer security. Students complete projects encompassing Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as an 0information literacy project focusing on effective use of the Web. Students with no computing experience are encouraged to complete a computing keyboarding course (CIS 103) before taking this course.

This course focuses on the stages of the writing process and includes a formal research paper. A variety of writing and reading assignments are designed to develop analytical and critical-thinking skills.

- General Education Course

Introduction to the mechanics of music. Links theory and actual craft of music. Students acquire the foundations of musicianship in a step-by-step format.  

This course is an introduction to music recording through the use of studio recording hardware and software, analog and digital recording, MIDI, computer application, synthesizers, mixing, and recording and mixing techniques.  

This course develops student prose by utilizing the writing process (drafting, revising and editing). Students are required to complete a process portfolio that includes 3-5 typed, revised, and edited MLA papers, reflective and low-stakes writing assignments, and at least one paper that demonstrates proper research techniques. All writing assignments must demonstrate and develop the writing process, critical thinking, and writing skills. Throughout the term, a variety of reading assignments and topics are introduced to develop interpretive and argumentative skills, while developing a critical understanding of well-crafted, professional prose.

- General Education Course

This course covers the study and application of the concepts of symbolic logic, sets, and finite and infinite mathematical systems.

This beginner course introduces diatonic harmony for all music majors, including the elements of pitch and rhythm, major and minor scales, major and minor key signatures, functional harmony of all diatonic chords in major and minor keys, voice leading, and root position part writing.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Music Theory (MU 161), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses (MU 170/MU 180).

Functional Class Piano I, first semester keyboard, is a course for the development of functional keyboard skills required for a student in MU 160 (Music Theory I) and MU 180 (Ear Training I). Topics include major and minor scales, intervals, diatonic triads and seventh chords, simple chord progressions, major and minor plagal and authentic cadences, and melodic harmonization.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Functional Class Piano (MU 171), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses (MU 160 and MU 180).

This beginner lecture course is designed to develop aural skills required for a student in MU 160 (Music Theory I) and MU 170 (Functional Class Piano I). Topics include sight-singing, dictation, keyboard exercises, and related skills, all designed to develop the student’s musical ear to the highest degree possible.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Ear Training (MU 181), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses(MU 160/MU170).

This course provides an overview of the recording studio. Topics include basic studio electronics and acoustic principles, waveform properties, microphone concepts and micing techniques, studio set up and signal flow, recording console theory, signal processing concepts, recording principles and operations, and an overview of mixing and editing.

NOTE: In order for the student to register for the next level of Audio Engineering (MU 191), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course.

This course is for those students seeking to fulfill the humanities requirement. Emphasis is placed on listening skills. The basic elements of music are covered along with notation of pitch and rhythm, as well as musical periods from medieval to today’s hip-hop. 

This course is a continuation of Music Theory I. The course will cover harmonic progression including cadences, period forms, non-chord tones, diatonic seventh chords, modulation to closely related keys, and an introduction to chromaticism.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Music Theory (MU 260), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses (MU 171/MU 181).

Functional Class Piano II, second semester keyboard, is a course for the development of functional keyboard skills required for a student in MU 161 (Music Theory II) and MU 181 (Ear Training II). Topics include review of concepts learned in MU 160, diatonic chord progressions in all major and parallel minor keys, harmonization of the major and melodic minor scales, resolution of the dominant seventh chord, and harmonization of a melody using all diatonic triads and the dominant seventh chords.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Functional Class Piano (MU 270), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses (MU 161 and MU 181).

This intermediate course is designed to develop aural skills required for a student in MU 161 (Music Theory II) and MU 171 (Functional Class Piano II). Topics include sight-singing, dictation, keyboard exercises, and related skills, all designed to develop the student’s musical ear to the highest degree possible.

Note: In order for students to register for the next level of Ear Training (MU 280), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course and in the companion courses (MU 161/MU 171).

This course provides a broader view of the recording studio and live recording. Topics include implementation of the recording process, microphones, audio console, multitrack recorder, and signal processing devices.

NOTE: In order for the student to register for the next level of Audio Engineering (MU 290), a productive grade of “C” or higher must be made in this course.

This course explores the general principles and theories of psychology, history and methodology, sensation, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality, and the physiological basis of behavior. 

This course is a continuation of Music Theory II and includes analytical and compositional techniques from the eighteenth thru the twentieth century. Topics will include modulation, chromaticism, modes, and modern structures.

This advanced lecture course is a continuation of Functional Class Piano II and includes common chord modulation, secondary dominants, borrowed chords, other techniques of modulation, and melody harmonization using secondary functions.

This advanced lecture course permits students to develop aural skills required for a student in MU 260 (Music Theory III) and MU 270 (Functional Class Piano III). Topics include ear training, sight singing, and keyboard exercises utilizing music materials from the eighteenth thru the twentieth century.

This course introduces advanced practice of procedures and techniques in recording and manipulating audio. The course includes digital audio editing, advanced recording techniques, and advanced engineering projects. In addition, the course introduces the role of the producer including recording, mixing arranging, analyzing projects, session planning, communication, budgeting, business aspects, technical considerations, and music markets.

This course is a 15-week internship in the music industry intended as a capstone experience for the Associate in Applied Science in Music Technology. Internships may take place in the fields of music products retail and wholesale, arts management, marketing, promotions, recording, live sound, venue operations, sound design, and/or audio production. Students are encouraged to make contact with potential internship programs well before their internship semester.

This course is a study of the basic concepts in social interaction, analyzing aspects of the immediate culture, defining and evaluating the individual behavior in inter-group relations, social organization and processes, and elements of social control and deviance in a changing society.

- General Education Course