Course Syllabus

MUSC 4150 Commercial Composition

Course Description

This course focuses on the practical application of composition skills learned in Theory I-V to the area of commercial music. Additional topics will include the writing of music for TV/film and other visual media. Activities will include writing charts for class members and the performances of these works in class.

Justification

Composition and music arranging courses are typically required of music composition majors throughout the state of Utah and are a standard part of music major degrees at most colleges and universities accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Courses in commercial composition and arranging are also typically found in commercial music programs throughout the United States.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to write idiomatic and appropriate compositions and musical arrangements for a variety of instrumental and vocal combinations, especially those commonly encountered in commercial music.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary instrumental and vocal styles as well as all musical terms associated with these styles.
3. Using a variety of compositional techniques, students will compose commercially viable jingles and other short works for various media including, but not limited to television, film, radio, and social media.
4. Students will demonstrate established skills in various Digital Audio Workstations and notation software.

Course Content

Representative topics of study include advertising agency structure, analyzing commercials, underscoring, arranging and orchestration concepts, jingle writing, composing music for radio commercials, corporate videos and infomercials, theatrical trailer music, video game music, internet, social media, and website music, and the business of commercials.