Songwriting

Bachelor of Music - 189 Credits

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-100
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course is designed to improve (or uncover) each student’s songwriting ability through a study of the craft of songwriting, and to inform their careers by focusing on the various business aspects of songwriting. Students broaden their historical perspective of songwriting through a study of definitive songwriters of popular music, while performing and recording their own compositions weekly. Melody, structure, lyrics, collaboration, and the development of a “hook” are all looked at in great detail. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-104
Credits: 1.5

Course Description

Students will be introduced to the instrument based on each individual’s level of experience. This course will focus primarily on utilizing the guitar as an accompanying instrument while in the songwriting process. Varied rhythmic patterns, chord progressions, fingerings, chord inversions, tunings and techniques will be studied and implemented into the student’s original song material. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Musicianship 
Course Number: 
COMP-106
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course will offer students an introduction and overview of “the song” as its own independent entity according to varied cultures and regions. Some of the cultures that will be studied in relation to the creation and utilization of song will include African, Celtic, Latin and Asian origins. This course will begin an analysis on the various experimentations and improvisations that led to important evolutions in the development of popular songs in diverse societies. Specific songs that represent strong associations with social and political climates, societal expectations and cultural beliefs will be analyzed and discussed. This course will consist of a one and a half-hour weekly lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument 
Course Number: 
COMP-109
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of each course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-112
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This showcase will be prepared under the supervision and guidance of each student’s private lesson instructor, through weekly sessions designed to compile a final performance of three original songs. The performance will consist of the songwriters accompanying themselves on either piano or guitar, whichever is their primary instrument, while singing their own material. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: GE-100
Credits: 3

Course Description
Understanding the writing process with proper use of grammar and APA formatting are usable and integral skills of college students. Planning, preparing, writing, and editing will be important aspects of this course and students can expect to develop their skills within narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive essays. A focus on APA formatting will be essential for this course. Supporting evidence and research for these essays will be conducted from articles, journals, and books pertaining to musical topics such as genre, artists, theory, and history. Music students will be able to explore their musical topics of interest and use their composition skills to demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate in writing. This course consists of a weekly, three hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 1 consists of five primary elements: Music theory, ear training, basic piano, sight singing and music notation. The class will cover the fundamentals of all the aforementioned elements. Some of the topics covered will be major keys/scales, intervals, transposition, sight-reading, and hand notation skills. Ear training components will consist of melodic, rhythmic and interval dictation. The students will sit at a workstation with a computer and piano keyboard. The dissemination of the material will be interactive and hands on. The ear training, sight singing, piano and notation are all used in such a way as to reinforce the music theory goals for the course. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-230
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast options of Logic Pro X. This DAW puts a complete recording and MIDI production studio on your Mac, with everything a pro musician needs to write, record, edit, mix, and notate like never before. All in an intuitive interface that puts the tools you need right where you need them. The course focuses on the creative aspects of using this DAW with an emphasis on scoring applications. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced score. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Musicianship, Instrument, Music Technology & Showcase.

Total Credits: 17

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-101
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course will continue the study of popular song construct, but will be applied directly to varied genres of music and the requisite shift in stylistic approach. Each genre demands varied approaches as applies to lyric, melody, hook construct and delivery, structure and chord progressions. Popular genres to be analyzed will include Pop, Pop/Rock, Modern Rock, Hip Hop, Dance/Electronica, Indie/Folk and Alternative Country. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Songwriting 1.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-105
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Building on the basic techniques learned in Guitar Accompaniment 1, students will begin to access more advanced concepts of rhythmic foundation and harmonic composition. Complimentary internal instrumental hooks and lead lines will also be studied as a means to create additional motifs within the student’s original song material. Students will also learn how to accompany themselves on the guitar while singing, along with playing as part of a small ensemble in support of another singer/ songwriter. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Guitar Accompaniment 1. 

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-107
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Continuing on the concepts introduced in History of Song 1, a further studying of the evolution of the popular song will be focused on. Students will be challenged to “connect the dots” between varying words, phrases, concepts and ideas to become viable stories. Learning how to become a great storyteller through song and studying some of the most effective and powerful story songs throughout popular music history will offer students the ability to find their own unique and essential “voice”. Studying the evolution and cadence of folk song material through the eras will compliment and contrast valuably with the more current use of storytelling in popular genres and cultures. This course will consist of a one and a half-hour weekly lecture. This course may be taken as an elective 

Prerequisite: History of Song 1.

Competency: Instrument 
Course Number: 
COMP-110
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of each course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-113
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This showcase will be focused on using the guitar to accompany the student’s original song material. Through weekly meetings with their private instructor, each student will prepare a five-song set of original material that they will sing along with accompanying themselves with either the acoustic or electric guitar. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting. 

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-101
Credits: 3

Course Description
Thinking critically is a logical art of understanding how to evaluate circumstances, judgments, situations, and texts. Escaping ambiguity within writing and deterring from fallacy within logic is this course’s objective. Critical thinking in combination with English composition offers dynamic features that include professional writing of resumes, business letters, and proposals. The grammatical concepts learned in English 100 will be emphasized and applied and MLA citation format will be introduced. Music students will be able to explore how to effectively use critical thinking skills and composition while working within the music industry. Topics include philosophical, psychological, historical, and social approaches to thinking critically. Effectively knowing how to critically think allows for successful communication and logical problem solving in a student’s career and everyday life. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 2 continues with the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1. Diatonic harmony, chord construction and progressions as well as chromaticism are introduced. Added requirements for ear training will be chord progression and chord recognition dictation. Students are asked to perform on the piano all ear training material to better comprehend the information. Computer notation is introduced. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 1.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-306
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast creative options of Ableton Live. This DAW is designed for creating musical ideas, turning them into finished songs, and even taking them onto the stage. It is a fast, fun, intuitive way to make music with efficient workflow enhancements to audio improvements and a new technology called Link which works under the hood, allowing you to instantly play in perfect sync with multiple instances of Live as well as a growing number of iOS apps. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced demo of an original song. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Instrument, Musicianship, Music Technology & Showcase.

Total Credits: 17

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-102
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Building on the concepts presented in Songwriting 1 & 2, this course will address more complex techniques of melodic and harmonic functionality, advanced lyric construction with attention to issues of meter and syllabic accents as applied to lead melodic phrasing, complex lyric imagery and metaphor construct, and more. Analysis of popular songs will be utilized to demonstrate and show marketable examples of how each concept can be practically applied to the student’s original material. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Songwriting 2.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
COMP-103
Credits: 2

Course Description
Learning how to build a custom Digital Audio Workstation for the purpose of recording and producing their own song material is crucial to today’s professional songwriter. Many writing opportunities require the writer to be able to deliver new edits, key changes, arrangement alterations and style variations in the matter of hours. Songwriters who are not proficient in basic engineering and producing skills and do not have a personal “rig” to work with will be at a disadvantage. This course will explore the options for software and hardware platforms in order to prepare the students for choosing the setup most effective for their personal style and skill set. This course will consist of two, one and a half-hour weekly lectures/ labs. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-108
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Students will be introduced to the “melting pot” involved in the birth of the American song. From the tragedy of the slaves to those who survived the Irish potato famine, to the Great Depression and those persecuted, detained, abused and victimized throughout America’s history, we see how a “perfect storm” of crisis and cultural conflict led to and opened the door to the development of early American music. Genres studied according to the specific societal implications and musical results will include: Blues, Jazz, Folk, Country, R&B and Rock n Roll. The American pop song holds influences of these varied eras, genres and evolution of societal and political challenges. Students will learn of influences from the Irish/Afro sounds of New York City in the early 1800’s to the backfields of New Orleans and on to the cowboy songs of the western frontier, back again to current times and societal conflict as influence and topics for popular songs. This course will consist of a one and a half-hour weekly lecture.

Prerequisite: History of Song 2.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-111
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of each course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-114
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Students will write charts for and rehearse with a small group of musicians (2-3) in weekly rehearsals, culminating in a final showcase of six original songs. According to how they would like to express and perform their original material, the instrumentation will be the students’ choice and they will act as both musical director and participant in the performance. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-200
Credits: 4

Course Description
Effective communication is a necessity for any industry and is used as a fundamental tool that connects individuals and determines the quality of an interaction. This course will provide music students with an applied knowledge of how to improve communication skills with others for their future success as music professionals. Some of the topics that will be covered are communication styles, listening skills, providing and processing feedback, metacognitive reflections and cognitive communication, and interpersonal, non-verbal, and verbal communication. Special attention will be paid to the relevancy of this course to students’ interactions with other music professionals. Major course assignments will provide practical applications for music students to demonstrate the speaking and listening skills they’ve acquired for their careers. Topics in this course will be relevant to music students’ needs and interests. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1002
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 3 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1 and 2. Minor keys/scales, modes, progressions in major and minor tonality, modulation, constitutes some of the new information in Applied Theory 3. Melodies, rhythms, intervals, progressions, chord qualities continue to grow in complexity as we move through these upper levels of Applied Theory 3. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 2. 

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Instrument, Musicianship, Music Technology & Showcase.

Total Credits: 15.5

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: COMP-202
Credits: 2

Course Description
In continuation of the research conducted on various recording platforms, software instruments, programs and hardware components pursued in Building Your DAW 1, students will make their final selections and will learn to set up their own portable recording studio. Exploring various software configurations and program interactions will be a focus, along with making use of different microphones and instrumentation in the recording process. Students will use their own DAW to produce a three-song demo project of their original material. This course will consist of two, one and a half-hour weekly lectures/ labs. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Building Your DAW 1.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: COMP-203
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
In this course, students will dissect and analyze a popular “hit” song each week. Each song will be discussed according to societal, cultural and political origins or influence of the particular era, genre or stylistic approach, lyric message, demographic of audience, and aspects of the artist in regard to song selection and interpretation. Students will have the opportunity to offer their own creative interpretations and “cover” arrangements of each song, both solo and in small group performances. Guest hit songwriters will appear consistently throughout this course to offer perspective and insight into their own song material and how to write unique, important and authentic songs in today’s music industry. This course will consist of one, one and a half hour lecture weekly.

Prerequisite: History of Song 3. 

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: COMP-204
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: COMP-213
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This showcase will be focused on using the piano or keyboard to accompany the student’s original song material. Through weekly meetings with their private instructor, each student will prepare a five- song set of original material that they will sing along with accompanying themselves with either the piano or a keyboard. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: COMP-216
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course will focus on the structural, melodic and lyric aspects of creating a “hit” song in today’s music marketplace. Analysis of past radio chart successes and specific similarities between hits of varied genres and eras in popular music will offer the student perspective regarding how to apply the patterns in their own original song material. While there are no guarantees in the music industry, there are specific methods that have been employed by many past popular songwriters and musicians to insure the highest level of success possible. Students will learn how to craft a memorable and marketable hook, create a dynamically progressive structure, write a lyric that connects with a specific demographic audience, and more. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and one-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Advanced Songwriting 1

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: GE-306
Credits: 4

Course Description
This is a compact and focused course of Physics with special emphasis on Motion, Waves and Sound/Voice. Topics cover Motion, Newton’s Laws, Energy, Temperature and Heat, Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Waves, and understanding the elements, mechanisms and the dynamism of Waves and Sound. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: IND-214
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
This course will introduce students to professionals from the music industry in various areas of specialization. Industry guests will include Managers, Entertainment Attorneys, Publishers, Music Supervisors, A&R Representatives, Marketing Professionals, Recording Artists, Booking Agents, Tour Promoters, Entrepreneurs and more. In a lecture and Q&A format, the students will have the opportunity to network with and learn from working professionals in the Los Angeles music industry. Understanding how to apply the knowledge they are gaining in their program to a “real world” application in the industry will be a crucial focus and this master class series will provide invaluable networking and opportunities to learn about varied career path options. This course consists of a bi-weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: MUS-2000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 4 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1, 2 and 3. Tri-tone substitutions, composition, atonal music, modal interchange and secondary dominants are some of the new concepts in Applied Theory 4. Upon completion of Applied Theory 4, the student should arrive at level of musicianship expected of a working professional. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory 3.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Instrument, Musicianship, Music Technology & Showcase.

Total Credits: 16

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-205
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-207
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course focuses on music publishing with an introduction to the various income sources found in the music industry. Topics include: choosing between BMI and ASCAP, how to protect your song or song performance through copyright, recording artist deals and record companies production deals and song splits, mechanical and sync licensing, as well as understanding the varying types of common publishing deals. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-214
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Students will work in pairs to collaborate on original song material, creating a six-song set that they will write charts for and direct a small band to perform. Each student will be required to either sing or play an instrument as part of the presentation and must equally contribute to the song creation in the areas of lyric, melody, structure, and arrangement. This course may be taken as an elective. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-217
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will address the need of all songwriters to be able to adequately express their song ideas through vocal interpretation and performance. The basic techniques of tone, pitch center, enunciation, dynamics and melodic accuracy will be covered, along with the more advanced interpretative skills when acting as the primary performer of their own material as the Singer/Songwriter. Powerful expression of the lyric concept, along with varied dynamic and tonal qualities in the melodic approach will be assessed through weekly performances of the student’s original song material. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-220
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will be an in-depth study of the craft of creating and placing lyrics in sequence to music, with a focus on the intricacies of rhythmic components and melodic phrasing. While the most crucial factor is the core concept of the lyric and how it speaks to the listener in a unique way, the syllabic stresses and patterns can make all the difference when crafting a conversational set of phrases that is voiced naturally and with impact. Rhyme schemes, stressed and unstressed beats, navigating different time signatures, placement of hooks and more, will all be discussed in detail and with focus on the development of each individual songwriter’s material. This course consists of weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-202
Credits: 3

Course Description
Compared to many other nations, the United States is relatively young; however, this doesn’t mean that this country’s history, with its interesting figures, significant events, and transformative shifts in ideology, doesn’t offer an important perspective students can use when making sense of our nation’s past and its influence on contemporary society. This course begins with a brief look at the Country post-Civil War, and when quickly moves into a more in depth examination of the country from the Industrial era through WWII. The course ends with a critical discussion of the country during the 1950s post-war era, a time that many people fondly recall as America’s golden age, but students will learn to view in a more nuanced light. Throughout this course, the nation’s social, economic, and cultural climate will be discussed from a historical context and our nation’s diverse populations and their historical experiences will be emphasized. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-2001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 5 is project based to ensure that all the information disseminated through levels 1-4 have been completely absorbed and understood. Tasks will include piano performance, composition, transcription, orchestration, transposition, analysis and computer notation. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory 4. 

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Entrepreneurship, Instrument, Literacy, Showcase & Musicianship

Total Credits: 15.5

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-200
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will provide the foundation for learning how to collaborate with one or more songwriters on a project. In pairs and small groups, students will practice the sharing of ideas and strategizing complementary strengths and talents in order to achieve the most viable song concept possible. The business of royalty splits, songwriting agreements and co-production arrangements will also be addressed throughout this course. This course will consist of a weekly two hour class meeting. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-206
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-208
Credits: 2

Course Description
Building on the concepts presented in Music Business for Songwriters 1, this course will delve into the aspects of writing for varied media platforms and the practices and contracts associated with each. Topics will include: writing for music libraries, title replacement, single-song agreements, licensing deals, catalog acquisition, video game custom composition agreements, film trailer and/or theme song composition and contracts. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriting 1.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-209
Credits: 2.5

Course Description
Students will have the opportunity to “work” in a hands on setting that mocks an active publishing and licensing company. Sourcing from talent within the LACM student body, each student will find one artist or songwriter with material that needs to be developed and promoted. Acting as part of the publishing company, students will learn to “pitch” material to specific projects and opportunities. Working with the LACM Music Licensing catalog, students will also act as publishing administrators in filing copyright forms, cue sheets and calculating royalty distributions. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-210
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
In this Master Class series, LACM provides a unique and unparalleled experience where world-class Artists, Songwriters, Producers and Industry Veterans are invited to share their life’s work and experiences with our students. Classes and clinics are held by industry guests addressing the current and ever-evolving marketplace for the professional songwriter and recording artist. This course consists of bi-weekly, two-hour lectures

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-215
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Students will have the option to either perform their own material with a band or enlist a vocalist and perform as part of the band in this showcase. The final performance of four original songs will be evaluated by a panel of industry members who will be focusing on areas including showmanship, song marketability, performance quality, set arrangement, and industry viability. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-403
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive course of basic Psychology structured upon the biological, cognitive, developmental and social foundations of human behavior. Additionally, it also covers the basic and most common mental health disorders. Topics include neuroscience, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, learning and memory, human development, social psychology and personality. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-104
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course is designed so that students gain the ability to arrange and orchestrate a coherent vocal/instrumental composition for a rhythm section with three horns (specifically: piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet, tenor sax, and trombone). Students learn the musical relationship between the rhythm and horn sections, various techniques used in voicing horns, as well as their appropriate ranges and transpositions. The class will also focus on the melodic and harmonic roles played by the rhythm and horn sections, and the various ways in which to score a horn section. By the conclusion of this course, each student will have arranged and orchestrated a musical composition and have it professionally recorded. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 2. 

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Musicianship, Instrument & Showcase.

Total Credits: 15.5

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-201
Credits: 2

Course Description
Building on the concepts and experience of Co-Writing 1, students will advance to learning how to write for and with a recording artist or group. Concepts of writing to an artist’s specific vocal range, style, identity, lyric message and fan base will be practiced. Students will also learn to write as part of a songwriting and production team, one of today’s music industry formats that is widely practiced for major label record production. This course will consist of a weekly two hour class meeting. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Co-Writing 1.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-301
Credits: 2

Course Description
Following Music Business for Songwriters 2, this course will cover topics including: work-for-hire agreements, understanding the Musicians Union when contracting with demo session players, common agreements with major Film and TV companies, advanced royalty allocation and distribution, when to seek an attorney or manager/agent and how to make most effective use of the relationship with each, along with catalog compilation in varied genres/formats. A study of international markets applied to royalties, copyright, and contracts will also be a focus in this course. This course will consist of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriters 2.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-303
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving
individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-311
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Creating a song catalog that is versatile, diverse and deep in stylistic variations can be a key component to becoming successful in the world of music licensing for media (Film/TV/Video Games/etc.). Making the necessary connections to the industry and understanding how to communicate with music supervisors and media companies is also critical to the songwriter’s success in this field. This showcase will feature a live presentation by each songwriter of 5-6 songs from his or her catalog. The quarter will consist of demo production and recording to add content to the catalog, preparation of the SongSpace profile, development of a strong networking database, review of common licensing agreements and scenarios, live pitching exercises and culminating in a final showcase of catalog material in front of a panel of Music Supervisors for film and television. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture/lab.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-303
Credits: 3

Course Description
Spanish 1 is an introductory course, which emphasizes the basic skill of listening comprehension and speaking ability, writing simple grammatical sentences and grammar exercises. Short reading selections emphasize new vocabulary and grammar structures. Grammar and vocabulary are used to develop the four main skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The basics of verb usage and conjugation, greetings, numbers, professions, colors, adjectives, and phrases related to work, nationalities, family, home, and a restaurant will be covered. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-200
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course is designed so that students gain the ability to arrange and orchestrate a coherent vocal/instrumental composition for a rhythm section with six horns (plus doubles, more specifically: piano, bass, drums, guitar, 2 trumpets and/or flugelhorns, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax with any combinations of flutes and clarinets, and 1 trombone). This course will starts students on the road to listening to music through color as well as sound. Students learn about the various roles of the woodwind section and the most effective techniques in which to voice them. Students also explore the many colors achieved by the blending of saxes, flutes, and clarinets, and the possibilities from blending the woodwinds with each other as well as with the brass section. In addition, students learn the various ways in which to score the woodwind and brass sections, whether accompanying a vocalist or in an instrumental arrangement. By the conclusion of this course, each student will have arranged and orchestrated a musical composition and have it professionally recorded. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Arranging & Orchestration 1.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-1000
Credits: 3

Course Description
In Pro Tools 101 students explore introductory level Pro Tools hardware and software functionality while studying the supplementary coursework provided. Through studying the basic Pro Tools principles, students gain the skills needed to complete a Pro Tools project from initial set-up to final mix-down. Whether the project involves recording live instruments, MIDI sequencing of software synthesizers, or audio looping, this course provides the basic skills needed to succeed. At the conclusion of this course students will be given the official Pro Tools 101 certification exams. This course consists of a weekly, two hour lecture and two-hours of lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Music Technology, Showcase & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 15.5

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-212
Credits: 2

Course Description
In the songwriting world of Nashville, the practices and fundamentals can vary greatly from the process and business in other regions. Students will learn the art of writing with multiple songwriting partners, “pitching” material to publishers and labels, writing only music or lyric per song, and communicating with session players using the Nashville Number System. While today’s Nashville music market supports many genres, the two most popular continue to be Country and Contemporary Christian. These two styles and markets will be focused on in both creative and business concepts. Industry guests from each genre and market will present their own professional experiences and answer student questions throughout this course. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-300
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will be an introduction to skills, concepts, and composition techniques when scoring to a specific piece of visual media. Using a simple platform such as iMovie, students will practice scoring to a commercial, a video game portion, a film trailer, and a TV theme sequence. Topics will include: assigning appropriate emotional and dynamic musical setting to the visual, tracing and anticipating shifts in scene and action, developing leading motifs for setting a mood and expressing character identities or qualities through distinct melodies and instrumentation. This course will consist of one weekly two-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-302
Credits: 2

Course Description
The independent songwriter must learn how to be a viable and efficient business person. This course will cover concepts of business accounting procedures and tools, state and federal tax laws for the independent contractor, business investments and growth plans, strategic partnerships with like-minded professionals and companies, corporate music opportunities and more. The course series will conclude with a practical, hands-on application of concepts in the compilation of all needed business agreement and contract templates, a complete short and long term business plan, along with a song catalog that is ready for promotion to the varied media sources addressed in Music Business for Songwriters 1-3. This course will consist of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriters 3.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-304
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving
individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Showcase
Course Number: 
COMP-306
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Taking the critique and evaluation of the industry member panel in Industry Showcase 1, students will focus on incorporating the feedback into at least two of the songs from the original set and adding three more original songs. Concentration will be placed in areas of stylistic approach, instrumentation, advanced song arrangements, marketability in today’s music industry and connection with the audience. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-400
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive course of World Geography structured upon a World regional approach. Topics include World physical processes, regions divided and organized into Europe, Russia & the Near Abroad, Middle East, North & Sub-Saharan Africa, South & East Asia, Oceania & Antarctica, Latin America & North America (US & Canada). This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-201
Credits: 2

Course Description
This continuation of the “Arranging & Orchestration 2” course is designed to prepare students to arrange and orchestrate for an augmented ensemble. This includes oboe or English horn, bassoon, French horn, tuba or bass trombone, and percussion. This course presents the possibilities one can achieve when combining jazz and classical elements to form a cohesive musical work. Students learn about the various colors of the newly introduced instruments, their ranges and transpositions, and explore the art of combining the vast array of colors each instrument has to offer. Students also continue to learn the art of linear vs. block writing, while gaining a better understanding of arranging and orchestration through listening and analysis. By the conclusion of this course, each student will have arranged and orchestrated a musical composition and have it professionally recorded. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Arranging & Orchestration 2.

 

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Showcase & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 14.5

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-305
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-308
Credits: 2

Course Description
In this course, students will learn the essential elements of music marketing that are critical in optimal marketing of both themselves and their music. Various marketing channels and media such as physical versus digital advertising, PR, social media and promotion campaigns will be compared and contrasted. Developing a unique brand identity will be addressed as well, laying the groundwork for building a strategic marketing plan. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-309
Credits: 2

Course Description
Continuing on the concepts presented in Writing For Music Row 1, students will learn the business of presenting themselves in the most marketable light possible for potential publishing deals and song placement for major artist projects. This will include learning how to compile a solid “reel” showcasing the strongest aspects of the individual’s writing abilities, pitching to direct project requirements, business networking events, popular venues to showcase the material live, writing with artists who are affiliated with particular publishing houses or record labels, interacting with their PRO to increase opportunity, and more. Students will also practice presenting their material in an acoustic solo “live” format, along with performing with their co-writing partners in a small ensemble setting. Mock networking meetings and events will also help to prepare the students for establishing positive business relationships. As part of this course, students will also have the opportunity to meet guest Nashville session players, publishers, songwriters and artists. This course consists of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-310
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will address the varied business and creative aspects involved with writing for Film and TV. Specific scenarios addressed and compared will include: theme song composition for a TV network show, staff composition for a TV network series, the creative and business considerations involved in the composition of Film trailers, Film scoring and composition, communicating with the “team” (music supervisors to producers, directors to screenwriters) and providing properly formatted deliverables with requisite documentation and contracts. Students will also learn how to replace “temp tracks” versus custom composing based on visual media and description of requirements only. This course will consist of two weekly two-hour lecture and lab.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-305
Credits: 4

Course Description
This course provides the basic concept of statistics: Topics include Data, Sampling, Experiments, Distributions, Relationships, Chance and Probability, Simulation & Expected Values, and Inference. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
IND-207
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will cover creative and business concepts associated with the role of the Music Supervisor, including: what a music supervisor’s primary job is, how to interact with the music supervisor on a Film/TV assignment, what a music supervisor needs to know and be qualified to do, and how to pursue becoming a music supervisor. Qualities a music supervisor must have will be studied extensively, as this can be a viable career path for many musicians and songwriters. Topics will include: critical “song to picture” analysis, expansive music genre and artist knowledge, ability to organize song clearances and cue sheets, confidence in communicating with directors and producers of Films and TV shows along with expressing specific needs to composers in regard to musical direction, tempo, keys, song edits and “sound alike” references. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-301
Credits: 1

Course Description
During their 9th quarter, each Bachelor in Music candidate is required to perform a 30 minute recital. Students will work in their private lesson to plan and perform their recital. The student is responsible for all aspects of the recital (i.e. securing the date and room, hiring the musician accompanists, booking rehearsal time and determining the program).

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Instrument, Entrepreneurship, Showcase & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 15

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-307
Credits: 2.5

Course Description
Students will promote their own song catalog, website, social media and promotion materials utilizing the marketing and business plans created in previous courses. Real contacts will be made in live networking events, as well as direct contact with publishers and A&R reps for specific projects and submissions to music supervisors and licensing companies for various Film/TV placement opportunities. This course will consist of a two-hour weekly class meeting.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-400
Credits: 2

Course Description
In this course, each student will begin to develop their own personal marketing and promotion plan for their music. Even if the student wishes only to write for other artists and projects, the competition in the industry is fierce and every writer will need to promote themselves and their music uniquely and aggressively. Analyzing the successful marketing and promotion plans of known artists, projects, songwriters and producers will offer valuable perspective and inspiration for the development of their own customized marketing plan. Students will build a simple website and will customize various social media platforms in preparation for launching their marketing campaign. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Marketing for Songwriters 1.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-402
Credits: 2

Course Description
Every songwriter needs to learn the art of translating their material to a format that will communicate to the producer, engineer and players involved with creating the song demo. Creating and compiling clear chord and structure charts will be addressed and practiced. Learning the roles of each musician, the engineer and producer, and learning the language needed to speak to each effectively will be practiced in a live and practical “hands on” studio setting. Confident demonstration of melody, lyric, dynamics and structure of each song will also be a focus. This course will consist of a weekly, one-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-405
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-102
Credits: 3

Course Description
This course is an introduction to finance as it relates to musicians and to all creative entrepreneurs. Students will learn the most important aspects of finance including time value of money concepts, financial calculations, budgeting and financial planning and will develop critical money management skills to help them thrive in the music business. The class will be introduced to financial spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel but students will also discover how use these tools to create customized budgets and financial plans. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-404
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive and focused course of Health and General Well-Being. Topics cover achieving wellness, eating and exercising towards a healthy lifestyle, building healthy relationships, understanding and preventing disease, drug use and abuse and making health and healthy choices. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
MUS-302
Credits: 2

Course Description
Each course offers a broad survey of musical masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Emphasis is on major composers, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic inventions, form, period instruments, secular and sacred music, and listening awareness. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-106
Credits: 2

Course Description
Given the ever-growing prominence of video in modern media, this course provides students with a basic understanding of the full video production process by teaching “do-it-yourself” video production, beginning with shooting and editing, and concluding with post production. Students also learn about file formats, cameras, lighting, planning, and video/sound editing. By the conclusion of the course, students will produce both a music video and a commercial promoting said music video. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Instrument & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 18.5

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-401
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course represents the final compilation of all marketing and promotion materials created and developed in Music Marketing for Songwriters 1-2. Their own logo, brand, social media and website, complete with audio and video materials, will be “launched” and viewed by their LACM peers. The effectiveness of this launch and requisite materials will be evaluated by a panel of industry professionals at the conclusion of this course. In addition, aspects of cross promotion and strategic partnerships with varied companies and organizations will be presented. Students will learn which companies and organizations might provide added promotion benefits, while understanding how to “pitch” themselves and their unique talents in a way that might be most effective. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Marketing for Songwriters 2.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-403
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will introduce the varied aspects of each popular instrument group in a Contemporary Ensemble: namely Guitar, Bass, Drums,
Piano/Keyboards and Vocals. Understanding how the rhythm section is built, how chord progressions and song structure can be enhanced by the performance approach in each instrument group, assigning complimentary melodic counterpoint and internal hooks in the song arrangement, along with acquiring a working understanding of the limitations and potential of each instrument group will all be concepts that will be focused on throughout this course. This course consists of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-406
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-402
Credits: 3

Course Description
Political science is a study of political policy, behavior, process, systems, and overall government structures. This course will cover the concepts of political economy, ideology, theory, and philosophy. It will further elaborate on political analysis, comparative politics, and international relationships. An examination of both humanistic and scientific approaches, perspectives, and tools will be used throughout the course. The political dynamics of American governmental structures as well as comparisons with other regions of the world will be applicable. Students will be able to understand and compare different countries from around the world and firmly understand the integration of government and policy within multiple societies. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
IND-403
Credits: 4

Course Description
This course will take students through the process of sourcing, pitching and placing songs in film, television, commercials, and with artists. Students will represent an actual collection of songs from an artist/songwriter and will select material, offer musical critique, guide catalog expansion, pitch, follow up, and potentially get their songs placed. Students will not only get the hands-on experience, but they will also build a network of music supervisors, synch licensing agents, ad agencies, and A&R representatives. This course consists of 2 weekly, two-hour lectures.

Prerequisite(s): Music Licensing 1-2; Music Publishing 1-2; Music Supervision.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
MUS-303
Credits: 2

Course Description
Each course offers a broad survey of musical masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Emphasis is on major composers, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic inventions, form, period instruments, secular and sacred music, and listening awareness. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-416
Credits: 1

Course Description
Many composers in the “real world” choose to conduct their own works. This course teaches students the technique and knowledge needed for successful conducting, as well as provides an opportunity to conduct fellow musicians. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Instrument & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 16

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-404
Credits: 4

Course Description
Students will be evaluated according to their skill sets and career objectives, to be placed in a practical internship with an active Los Angeles music company. Students will work on location at this company for a minimum of four hours per week and will be supervised and evaluated by that staff. Throughout the quarter, the student will report to a faculty advisor regarding specific challenges and receiving guidance on improving their competitive edge for future employment possibilities.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
COMP-407
Credits: 2

Course Description
The primary goal of this course is to act as reinforcement for the core curriculum of the Songwriting Department. Any questions involving individual weekly classes will be addressed, and the instructor will help each student keep up with the general pace of all classes in their program. Additional assignments may be given to students when appropriate. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-302
Credits: 3

Course Description
Philosophy is considered to be the history of human thinking. Philosophy teaches how to think and attempts to unravel concepts of life through the practice of questioning. Philosophical questions examine what reliable knowledge is, what is God and does it exist, what is truth, what are right and wrong, what makes something beautiful or unattractive, what is reality, what happens when we die, and in totality, what does it mean to study philosophy. This course will act as a guide for conducting life and every major can benefit from philosophical learning. Students will be able to gain relevant connections from philosophy to their daily life. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-406
Credits: 3

Course Description
This course is a comprehensive and focused study of the structure and function of the human body at the cellular, histological, and organ level. The emphasis of study includes microscopic and macroscopic anatomy and physiology of the Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Immune, Gastrointestinal, Renal and Reproductive Systems. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-402
Credits: 1

Course Description
During the 12th quarter, each Bachelor in Music candidate is required to perform a one hour recital. Students will work in their private lesson to plan and perform their recital. Just like the junior recital, the student is responsible for all aspects of the recital (i.e. securing the date and room, hiring the musician accompanists, booking rehearsal time and determining the program).

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Instrument & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 13