Core Courses
Faith, Music and Culture (3 Credits)
The purpose of this course is to help students develop a Christian approach to the creation, marketing and consumption of contemporary music. While engaging in studies of theory, history and criticism, students will explore the concept of culture and the nature of popular culture and examine popular art and music in contemporary aesthetic, social, cultural and industrial contexts. Additional topics include the study of the role of popular music in cultural communication, the development of a Christian critical method and an examination of different Christian approaches to popular art and culture. (Possible Credit: Religion/Theology, Music, General Studies)
Faith Music & Culture Syllabus
Inside the Music Industry (3 Credits)
Through readings, lectures and seminars, the course will give up-to-the-minute insight into the inner workings of the music industry. Emphasis will be given to career possibilities and the gifts and skills required to succeed in each of the major areas, including work as a performer, songwriter, record producer and engineer, artist manager, booking agent, concert promoter, record retailer, entertainment attorney, A&R executive, marketing executive, sales executive and music journalist. Students will gain an understanding of the structure and methodologies of a typical U.S. record company, including A&R, marketing, radio promotion, public relations, sales & distribution, product development, art, manufacturing and business affairs. (Possible Credit: Business Administration, Music.)
Inside the Music Industry Syllabus
Practicum "CMC Tour" (1 Credit)
The CMC Tour is the capstone experience of the semester. Students and faculty embark on a 6-day tour of college campuses and other venues, mounting a show each night with full production-lights, sound, staging and video. Every student is involved in the process either as a performer, part of the technical staff, or as a producer. The Executive track students are also required to keep the tour on budget by tracking costs and providing daily analysis of the budget.
Practicum (CMC Tour) Syllabus
In addition to the Core Courses, each student will choose either the Artist Track, the Business Track or the Technical Track.
ARTIST TRACK
Essentials of Song Writing (3 Credits)
Artists receive classroom instruction, participate in directed study with staff and work in collaboration with other students to develop their use of form, melody, harmony, rhythm and lyric. Emphasis is placed on the song as the vehicle for the artist's creative exploration and public communication. (Possible Credit: Creative Writing, Music, Individual Studies.) Essentials of Songwriting Syllabus
Studio Recording (3 Credits)
Artists, via both the classroom and lab, work with faculty, other students and visiting experts to learn how to produce, record, mix and edit recordings in a professional digital recording studio. (Possible Credit: Music, Individual Studies, Recording Techniques, Electronic Music, MIDI.) Studio Recording Syllabus
Performance (3 Credits)
In consultation with staff and Executive Track students, artists develop a live concert presentation that best utilizes their gifts as musicians, entertainers and communicators. Both on-campus showcases and public performances are presented throughout the semester. (Possible Credit: Music, Individual Studies, Recital, Large and Small Ensemble, Major Practical Studies.) Performance Syllabus
BUSINESS TRACK
Strategic Management (3 credits)
(formerly Artist Management)
Business Track students will assemble a successful artist roster and participate in the following activities on their artist's behalf: scheduling, creating a business plan, analyzing and forecasting trends in popular music, advising and developing the artists with regard to their live show and recordings. (Possible Credit: Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Communications and/or Media) Strategic Management Syllabus
Music Business Survey (3 credits)
(formerly Artist & Repertoire)
Through lecture, text and visiting music industry experts, Business Track students will gain a broad understanding of key aspects of the music business including: Booking, Artist Management, Touring, Road Management, Production, Marketing and Promotion, Copyright and Legal Issues, Publishing and Licensing. This course will outline economic, creative and spiritual elements critical to a career in contemporary music and guide students in assessing their own strengths, weaknesses and interests. The focus for this course is hands-on application through work with contracts, live show production and career planning. (Possible Credit: Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Communications and/or Media) Music Business Survey Syllabus
Advanced Media Marketing (3 credits)
(formerly Music, Marketing and Sales)
Through classroom instruction and presentations by visiting industry experts, Business Track students will become familiar with traditional and progressive marketing strategies. Key areas including publicity, advertising, radio and video promotion, Internet marketing, and tour support will be addressed. Students will develop a comprehensive marketing plan for each Artist and will also create and implement the marketing plan for the CMC Tour. (Possible Credit: Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Communications and/or Media) Advanced Media Marketing Syllabus
TECHNICAL TRACK
Advanced Studio Recording (3 credits)
(formerly Advanced Recording Techniques)
This course focuses on professional audio recording and production. The concepts and practices learned in this course will be used by the students to engineer and mix three songs per student in the Artist Track. The goal is for students to leave the CMC prepared for an entry level position in any area of studio recording. (Possible Credits: Recording Techniques, Music Technology, Studio Production, Audio Post-Production, Advanced Pro Tools Techniques, MIDI Sequencing, Lab Credit, Senior Project Credit, Practicum) Advanced Studio Recording Syllabus
Audio Engineering (3 credits)
(formerly Live Sound Reinforcement)
This course focuses on concepts and common practices in professional audio. Instruction and practical experience will focus on sound reinforcement for concerts as well as recording studio techniques, since both disciplines employ the same concepts. The information learned in this course will be put into practice in both the Concert Production and Studio Production courses. (Possible Credits: Audio Fundamentals, Music Technology, Survey of Production, Audio Editing Techniques, Advanced Engineering, Survey of Recording Technology, Survey of Recording Industry, Mixing Techniques, Digital Audio Technology) Audio Engineering Syllabus
Concert Production (3 credits)
(formerly Lighting Design)
This course focuses on sound reinforcement, stage lighting and design, stage management, and concert production management. The concepts and practices learned in this course will be used by the students to produce the weekly CMC Live show in support of the Artist Track student performances, as well as the week long tour of CCCU college campuses. The goal is for students to leave the CMC prepared for an entry level position in any area of concert production. (Possible Credits: Sound Reinforcement, Concert/Stage Lighting, Survey of Video Production, Production Management, Stage Management, Lab Credit, Tour Credit, Senior Project Credit, Practicum) Concert Production Syllabus
