Music Production

CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric 3 Credits

Students will increase their competence in the critical reading of challenging college-level texts that engage significant ideas and in writing effective essays that advance a clear and meaningful thesis while demonstrating understanding of those texts. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CAS general education curriculum.

CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research 3 Credits

Introduces students to the process of library research and documented writing. Emphasis will be on the refinement of critical reading, thinking, and writing strategies applied to multiple sources and documented papers. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): CMP 120 or BHP 100.

MUS 106 Survey of Music History II 3 Credits

A chronological survey of Western music from the classical through the contemporary periods stressing the origin and evolution of musical forms, musical styles, and the important composers since 1750. The relation between the music and the aesthetic movements of each period is studied.

MUS 113 Popular Music Theory I 3 Credits

Popular Music Theory I covers basic elements of music, including the reading of music notation in traditional formats as well as in audio wave form and in the visualization of standard Digital Audio Workstations. Practice in scales and chords; ear-training in rhythm, pitch, and timbre. Techniques may be applied to the student’s own instrument (e.g., guitar, piano, voice)

Corequisite(s): MUS 113L.

MUS 113L Popular Music Theory Lab I 1 Credits

Taken in conjunction with Popular Music Theory I, the lab applies theoretical concepts in a performance context. Applied aural training and improvisation skills on primary and secondary instruments.

Corequisite(s): MUS 113.

MUS 114 Popular Music Theory II 3 Credits

A continuation of Popular Music Theory I, progressing to intermediate elements of music, including the reading of music notation in traditional formats as well as in audio wave form and in the visualization of standard Digital Audio Workstations. Practice in scales and chords, ear-training in rhythm, pitch, and timbre. Techniques may be applied to the student’s own instrument (e.g., guitar, piano, voice).

MUS 114L Popular Music Theory Lab II 1 Credits

Taken in conjunction with Popular Music Theory II, the lab applies theoretical concepts in a performance context. Applied aural training and improvisation skills on primary and secondary instruments.

MUS 127 Pop, Rock & Hip-Hop Ensemble 1 Credits

This is a dynamic group rehearsal, performance and discussion of contemporary popular music of any genre including but not limited to: the blues, soul, country, gospel, pop, prog. rock, reggae, disco, punk, grunge, new wave, dub, rap and hip hop.

MUS 129 Contemporary Vocal Ensemble 1 Credits

The objective of the contemporary vocal ensemble course is to allow students to experience the aesthetics of popular music through the study, interpretation and performance of the music. Students will develop their ensemble skills, independent part singing, as they experience a wide range of popular music genres (jazz, pop, R&B, world, etc.) Students must pass an audition to participate in this course.

MUS 131 Beginning Piano I 2 Credits

Class approach to learning to play the piano. How to read music, basic piano technique, and appropriate piano pieces and songs are studied.

MUS 132 Beginning Piano II 2 Credits

Continuation of MUS 131. Emphasis on further development of technique and the ability to interpret piano music from a variety of styles.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 131 or equivalent.

MUS 133 Class Voice I 2 Credits

Class approach to learning pop vocals. How to read music, basic vocal production technique and appropriate vocal pieces and songs are studied, especially in popular genres.

MUS 134 Class Voice II 2 Credits

Continuation of class approach to learning pop vocals started in Class Voice I. Intermediate vocal technique for popular music

Prerequisite(s): MUS 133 or placement exam.

MUS 135 Class Guitar I 2 Credits

Class approach to learning to play the guitar. How to read tablature, basic guitar technique, and appropriate guitar pieces and songs are studied, especially in popular genres. Students must provide their own guitars; if electric, they should provide their own amps, too.

MUS 136 Class Guitar II 2 Credits

Continuation of class approach to learning to play the guitar started in Class Guitar I. Intermediate guitar technique for popular music. Students must provide their own guitars; if electric, they should provide their own amps, too.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 135 or placement exam.

MUS 204 Jazz History 3 Credits

Survey from 19th C. roots to 21st C. styles. Development of listening skills and overview of musical skills used by jazz performers. Exploration of the relationship between jazz and poetry, race relations, and the reputation of jazz in popular culture.

Prerequisite(s): CMP 120 or CMP 125.

MUS 205 History of Pop and Rock Part I 3 Credits

This course charts the history of popular music from its origins until the 1960s. Looking at performers, song-writers, bands and pop genres we will chart the dynamic evolution of popular music from its roots in the blues, early jazz, ragtime and military band marches to the music of Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. We look at the recording industry and the advent of he gramophone record and the important role of radio and television in expanding the reach of popular music directly into the home, creating a vibrant soundtrack for peoples lives.

MUS 206 History of Pop and Rock Part 2 3 Credits

Description: This course charts the history of popular music from the 1960s to todays. Looking at performers, song-writers, bands and pop genres we will chart the dynamic evolution of popular music through Acid Rock, Progressive (Prog) Rock, Hard Rock, Singer-Songwriters, Disco, Reggae, Funk, Punk, Heavy Metal, New Wave, Grunge, Electronica and Rap & Hip-Hop. We look at the development of analog and digital media and how new forms of delivery of product shapes the business model of the industry and beyond.

MUS 213 Digital Composition of Popular Music 3 Credits

This course is an introduction to making music in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Students learn software techniques by composing in multiple genre styles.

MUS 214 Writing about Music 3 Credits

This course instructs students in the art of writing about music, from small-form criticism to large scale scholarship, focusing especially on the ability to translate what one hears into engaging prose.

Prerequisite(s): CMP 120 and 125, MUS 110, 110L, and MUS 213.

MUS 220 Songwriting 3 Credits

The Songwriting course is an introduction to songwriting in popular music styles. Students will learn to compose music by themselves and collaboratively. This course will develop comprehensive musicianship and compositional techniques, as well as further software skill development.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 113.

MUS 221 Popular Music Arranging 3 Credits

Pop Music Arranging explores the fundamental arranging techniques for popular music styles. Students will learn to arrange popular music for the standard instrumentation found in a pop/rock ensemble (bass guitar, drumset, rhythm guitar, and keyboard) and other ensemble instrumentations, as well. This course will develop comprehensive musicianship and fundamental arranging techniques, as well as develop skills as they relate to composition software platforms.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 113.

MUS 304 Music of the Beatles 3 Credits

This course is a very in-depth analysis of the music and personalities of the Beatles. The student will gain in depth insight to the Beatles songs and albums as the course proceeds through the music chronologically. This will be contextualized historically and sociologically where required.

MUS 307 The Music of Radiohead 3 Credits

This course investigates the music, lyrics, art and marketing strategies of the British so called ”alternative” band, Radiohead, moving song by song through their demos, videos and albums.

MUS 308 World Music 3 Credits

To understand world music as a means of appreciating and respecting our common inheritance as humans. To better understand in what ways music is a ‘language’ and how this functions within ‘community’ including aspect of ritual, celebration, religion and spirituality. The student will be expected to be able to discern between various genres of world music understanding the wider cultural context including, but not limited to, popular music within that same culture.

MUS 311 Unpacking Bruce Springsteen 3 Credits

This course will survey the music of Bruce Springsteen. It will 'unpack' Springsteen's musical development not only across his official career (i.e. from signing with Columbia for his first album 'Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey' in 1973 to the present) but also from his childhood through his youth in Freehold, NJ. By closely studying Springsteen's life, music and lyrics as well as the themes of each album the student will become an expert in understanding how The Boss was able to universalize the Jersey Shore as well as his personal concerns into vital musical messages of great value and import today. This will also involve looking at music as varied as The British Invasion (i.e. The Beatles, The Animals & the Rolling Stones et al); Motown; Country; Soul; Folk; Rock and the American Songbook.

MUS 313 Digital Synthesis 3 Credits

This course continues with the software composition techniques begun in MUS 213. Students will create their own sounds through digital synthesis and incorporate those sounds into music composed in a variety of genre styles.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 213.

MUS 316 Digital Mixing and Mastering 3 Credits

Digital Mixing and Mastering is a practical skills class focusing on post-production skills in software interfaces. Students will learn how to work with multiple editing softwares and plug-in tools to achieve balanced, lively, professional mixes.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 216.

MUS 319 Pop Music Arranging II 3 Credits

The Pop Music Arranging II course is the terminal course of a two-semester sequence whose goal is to explore the advanced arranging techniques for popular music styles. Students will learn to arrange popular music for the standard instrumentation found in a pop/rock ensemble (bass guitar, drumset, rhythm guitar, and keyboard). This course will develop comprehensive musicianship and advanced arranging techniques, as well as develop advanced skills as they relate to the utilization of the software platforms Logic Pro X and Finale notation.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 219.

MUS 320 Pop Songwriting II 3 Credits

The Pop Songwriting II course is a continuation of the songwriting course sequence whose goal is to explore advanced compositional techniques for popular music styles. Students will learn to compose music by themselves and collaboratively. This course will develop comprehensive musicianship and advanced compositional techniques, as well as develop advanced skills as they relate to the software platforms Logic Pro X and Finale notation.

Prerequisite(s): MUS 220.

MUS 491 Internship in Music 1-4 Credits

Provides junior or senior music majors with the opportunity to gain practical experience working within a professional music environment. Students must be sponsored by a music professor. For each academic credit, interns must work 48 hours for the semester, or approximately 3.7 hours each week.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.

MUS 498 Popular Music Culture Capstone 3 Credits

The capstone is an independent, student-led project resulting in a material product (recording/performance/event/presentation) that demonstrates a student's interests and skills in the area of popular music.