LACM Learning Outcomes

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

The Los Angeles College of Music institutional learning outcomes reflect the broader mission and purpose of the institution. It is the overarching set of learning outcomes that all students, regardless of discipline, must achieve at graduation. All program, departmental and course learning outcomes are mapped to the institutional outcomes, thus reflecting an overall alignment of values, knowledge and skills expected at program completion.

Students will be able to identify and explain the conceptual, theoretical and methodological foundations of sciences, social sciences, humanities and the arts.

Students will be able to identify, explain, evaluate and synthesize relevant knowledge and information of the creative techniques, organizational systems and business practices exercised in professional music industry.

Students will be able to use appropriate methods of reasoning to evaluate ideas and identify and investigate problems and to develop creative and practical solutions to issues that arise in scholarship, in the workplace and in the community.

Students will be able to determine the appropriate scope of information needed for a task, know how to access the information, critically evaluate the information and its sources, apply the information accurately to accomplish a specific purpose and use the information ethically and legally.

Students will be able to demonstrate mastery in written and oral communication skills, apply and critically evaluate context, develop appropriate and relevant content, skillfully integrate credible and relevant sources as evidence, and demonstrate fluency, clarity and stylistic accuracy in their writing and oral delivery style.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of history and cultural diversity and thereby recognize and value perspectives and contributions that persons of diverse backgrounds bring to multicultural settings and respond constructively to issues that arise out of human diversity on both the local and the global level.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes reflect the mission of the academic programs of the institution and address the acquisition of performance proficiency, specific professional knowledge and academic merit.

Bachelor of Music

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on their major instrument.

Students will be able to demonstrate broad professional knowledge and skills in the language, technology, creative activity, and business practice of their concentrated field of study.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and solve problems that are characteristic in the study of music.

Students will be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the elements of musical structure, and show proficiency in music theory and basic composition.

Students will be able to demonstrate a thorough academic knowledge in music history – its composers, literature, and stylistic connections, from early music to contemporary works.

Bachelor of Arts

Students will be able to demonstrate broad professional knowledge and skills in the language, technology, legal concepts, entrepreneurial strategies and business practices recognized in the music industry.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and solve problems that are characteristic in the business of music and entertainment.

Students will be able to demonstrate an intermediate knowledge of the elements of musical structure, and show proficiency in music theory, ear-training, keyboard skills and basic composition.

Students will be able to demonstrate skill and knowledge related to basic songwriting concepts, including lyric and melodic construct as well as harmonic and structural techniques.

Students will be able to demonstrate academic knowledge in popular music history – its composers, literature, and stylistic connections, from the invention of music genres to their contemporary expansions.

Associate of Arts

Students will be able to demonstrate a suitable level of performance proficiency on their major instrument.

Students will be able to demonstrate a general professional knowledge and skills in the language, technology, creative activity, and business practice of their concentrated field of study.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and solve problems that are characteristic in the study of music.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the elements of musical structure, and show foundational proficiency in music theory and basic composition.

Students will be able to demonstrate academic knowledge in popular music history – its composers, literature, and stylistic connections, from the invention of music genres to their contemporary expansions.

General Education Department Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret evidence, statements and questions, identify relevant arguments, analyze and evaluate alternate points of view and fully explain assumptions and reasons.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to solve problems by applying college-level mathematical reasoning to analyze and explain real world issues and to interpret and construct graphs, charts, and tables.

The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to use appropriate technology to identify, locate, evaluate and present information for personal, educational and workplace goals.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyze and explain natural phenomena by applying the foundational principles of the biological and physical sciences.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to integrate learned skills and knowledge derived from the study of social sciences, literature, philosophy and the arts.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to relate to, critically discuss—and thus be sensitive to—the diversity and universality in global history, culture, and society, as well as the diversity in and uniqueness of local communities.

Students will demonstrate the ability to construct oral presentations with clear organizational patterns, choose language that is compelling and appropriate, master delivery techniques with confidence and deliver a central message that is precisely stated and strongly supported.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to write clearly, concisely and accurately and compellingly convey facts, ideas, and arguments in a variety of contexts and formats and for many audiences.

DEPARTMENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (DLOs)

Department Learning Outcomes reflect the mission and learning outcomes of the institution, the academic program and to the acquisition of skills that are specific to a concentrated field of study.

Bass Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on the bass including essential elements of rhythmic time, groove, tone production, dynamics and chart reading.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm command of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock, funk/hip-hop/neo-soul, latin/world, and hybrid styles in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, recording studio techniques, sound processing effects and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Drum Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on the drum set, hand percussion and electronic percussion instruments including essential elements of motion and balance, sound and tone, rudiments and sticking vocabulary, rhythmic variety in odd meters and chart reading.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm command of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock/pop, funk/r&b, latin/world, and hybrid styles in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, reading and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, recording studio techniques, electronic percussion instruments and programming, and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Guitar Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on the guitar including an essential understanding of the fretboard and chords (dyads, triads, seventh chords, inversions and extended chords), intervals and note recognition up and down the fretboard and chart reading.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm command and stylistic vocabulary of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock/pop, funk/r&b, latin/world, and hybrid styles in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, recording studio techniques, sound processing effects and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Keyboard Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on the piano and electronic and electro-acoustic keyboard instruments including essential elements of groove, improvisation and chart reading.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm command and stylistic vocabulary of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock/pop, gospel, funk/r&b, latin/world, and hybrid styles in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, recording studio techniques, synthesis, sound processing effects and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in performance proficiency on their instrument and relative doubles including mastery of tone, intonation, chart reading and technical facility.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm command of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock/pop, gospel, funk/r&b, latin/world in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, recording studio techniques, sound processing effects, and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Vocal Performance

Students will be able to demonstrate expertise in vocal performance proficiency including the essential elements of tone, phrasing, intonation, range and appropriate and healthy vocal technique.

Students will be able to demonstrate a firm vocal command and stylistic vocabulary of essential contemporary music styles including jazz, rock/pop, gospel, funk/r&b, Latin/Afro-Cuban, and hybrid styles in solo and ensemble settings.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of songwriting, arranging (instrumental and vocal), recording studio techniques, and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in applied lesson teaching techniques, rehearsal techniques and mentorship of developing musicians of various experience levels.

Music Producing and Recording

Students will be able to demonstrate technical expertise in recording studio techniques including proficiency in operating analog and digital equipment, proper microphone techniques, sound processing techniques, and computer software with an emphasis on Pro Tools™ and its sound processing plug-ins and employing these tools in the process of recording, editing recorded performances, mixing and final delivery.

Students will be able to demonstrate creative expertise in the production of music by conceiving recording projects from conception to completion, by practicing awareness of recording session etiquette, diversity and the roles of personnel, by making appropriate technical and artistic choices and by employing leadership skills that guide recording sessions toward positive results.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate basic performance proficiency in keyboard, drums, guitar and bass guitar in order to understand and communicate effectively with musicians in the recording studio.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to read musical scores, arrange and write parts for ensembles and guide rehearsals and performances.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, budgeting and contracts, publishing, and entrepreneurship.

Composing for Visual Media

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of musical structure and harmonic language by composing original music that displays expertise in musical form and function.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of acoustic and electronic instruments and the ability to orchestrate compositions for a variety of ensembles and instrumentation from small groups to full orchestra.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to compose music in a variety of styles and moods and create an appropriate musical underscore for a wide range of media genres including film, television, commercial advertising and games.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of film “spotting” and collaboration with a director, recording studio techniques, computer technology, and the use of sample libraries to create orchestral mockups and electronic scores.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music and media industry business practices including budgeting and contracts, publishing, marketing and promotion, and entrepreneurship.

Songwriting

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of musical structure and harmonic language by composing original songs that display expertise in melodic and harmonic form and musical arrangement.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the style and structure of lyric composition and the ability to write original lyrics that display expertise in poetic form and content.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to proficiently sing their songs and accompany themselves on guitar and piano using innovative chord and rhythmic patterns in support of the melodic structure.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music history, the influence of world cultures on traditional and contemporary song, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in the professional knowledge and practice of live performance musical direction and arranging, recording studio techniques, and computer technology.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including budgeting and contracts, publishing, marketing and promotion, performance showcases and entrepreneurship.

Music Business

Students will be able to demonstrate broad professional knowledge in the language, communication, strategic trends, and legal concepts as practiced in areas of publishing, recording, licensing, artist management and promotion in the music and entertainment industry.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of business roles and structures in the popular music industry and how they influence current practices and trends.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of musical structure, harmonic language and lyric composition by composing original songs that display fundamental skill in melodic and harmonic form, lyrical content and musical arrangement.

Students will be able to demonstrate intermediate knowledge and proficiency in music theory, basic keyboard techniques, contemporary music and popular song history and their cultural context, and conducting.

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in using computer technology and online tools such as social media and streaming platforms in the practice of monetizing music and media content.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to synthesize professional knowledge and entrepreneurial concepts to create a business strategy supported by financial planning and marketing.