2012-2013 MUSIC Minors and Elective Courses
Message from the Dean I am always impressed by the passion, dedication, and downright happiness exhibited by the students who choose to study music at USC Thornton. Taking elective courses or pursuing a minor in music is perfect for those students who were involved in music in high school, have musical talent, or love listening to music. These experiences provide an emotional, artistic, and intellectual outlet that will enhance and expand the life of any USC student. I invite you all to become involved in studying and making music at the Thornton School. - Dr. Robert Cutietta Contact Information USC Thornton Student Affairs (213) 740-4721 LPB 200 studentaffairs@thornton.usc.edu www.usc.edu/music
Why Thornton? USC s Thornton School of Music is consistently recognized as one of the best and most comprehensive music programs in the world. In fact, Rolling Stone recently named us in a list of the top five music schools in the country! Regardless of your major or level of experience, we invite you to study and create music with us. We offer a vast array of elective courses for both undergraduate and graduate students and a host of minors for undergraduates. This brochure will help you begin to explore your options. We also invite you to browse the Schedule of Classes for other possible options (see www.usc.edu/soc). If you see a course that interests you, visit Thornton Student Affairs to discuss whether you might be able to add these courses. For questions on admission requirements and gateway course information, as well as pre-minor advisement and specific application procedures, please contact our office: USC Thornton Student Affairs, LPB 200 Phone: (213) 740-4721 studentaffairs@thornton.usc.edu www.usc.edu/music Thornton Minors The following minors do not require experience with music, but they may also appeal to experienced performers: Music Industry...(pg. 5) Popular Music Studies...(pg. 6) Music Recording...(pg. 6) Performing Arts.(contact School of Theatre) For those who are already performers or songwriters and want to further develop their skills, consider: Jazz Studies... (pg. 7) Musical Studies... (pg. 8) Songwriting...(pg. 9) Musical Theatre...(pg. 10) All minors require an application for admission, but other entry requirements vary. This brochure lists specific requirements for admission to each minor as well as courses that may be taken prior to admission as a gateway to the minor. It is important to be accepted to the minor that you want to complete, as this gives you access to the full course offerings. The minor application may be downloaded at: www.usc.edu/music/admission/minors 2
Elective Courses Below is a list of courses that many USC students take as electives or as part of a music minor. While most do not require experience with music, some do. Check the Schedule of Classes for a D next to the 5-digit section number of the class you would like to add. If you see a D, departmental clearance is required and you will need to call (213) 740-4721 or visit Thornton Student Affairs in LPB 200 for further instructions. Please note: This list is not comprehensive; contact Thornton Student Affairs for more course offerings. Many of these courses are not available for credit for music majors. Songwriting and Composition MUCO 101 Music Theory Fundamentals 2 units MUCO 130a/b Music Theory 3 units MUCO 221 a/b Composition for Non-Majors 2 units MUCO 321 Composition for Non-Majors II 1-2 units MUSC 255, 355, 455 Songwriting I 2 units MUEA 474 a/b Electronic Synthesizer Techniques 2 units Ensembles MUEN 307/507 University Chorus 1 unit MUEN 308/508 USC Apollo (Men s) Chorus 1 unit MUEN 311/511 USC Oriana (Women s) Choir 1 unit MUEN 321/521 USC Concert Orchestra 1 unit MUEN 322 Trojan Marching Band 1 unit MUEN 332/532 Jazz Combo for Non-Majors 1 unit MUEN 305, 505 Vocal Jazz Ensemble 1 unit Ensembles at the 300 level are for undergraduates; those at the 500 level are for graduates. Entry to other, more advanced ensembles may be available based on an audition. Instrumental and Vocal Classes MPPM 120 Popular Music Performance 2 units MPGU 120 a/b/c/d Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar 2 units MPGU 121 Intensive Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar 4 units MPGU 125 Beginning Fingerstyle/Chord Guitar 2 units MPGU 126 Easy Fingerstyle Beatles 2 units MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician 2 units MPPM 340 Intermediate Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician 2 units MPKS 150 a/b/c/d Beginning Piano 2 units MPST 163 Beginning Harp 2 units MUJZ 150x Beginning Jazz Improvisation 2 units MUJZ 218a Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments 2 units MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation 2 units MPVA 141, 241 Class Voice 2 units Private Lessons* * Private lessons are generally available in all instruments in classical, jazz, or popular music styles Contact Thornton Student Affairs for the class number. These classes are at the 300 level. Music History and Culture MUHL 315 Music and Culture 4 units MUHL 403 Armenian Musical Culture 2 units MUHL 476 Music Criticism 4 units 3
MUJZ 100xm Jazz: A History of America s Music 4 units MUJZ 419m The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture 4 units MUSC 400m The Broadway Musical 4 units MUSC 420m Hip Hop Music and Culture 4 units MUSC 422 The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times 4 units MUSC 423 Classic Rock: Popular Music of the Sixties and Seventies 2 units MUSC 424 Iconic Figures of Popular Music 2 units MUSC 430m Music and the Holocaust 4 units MUSC 444 American Roots Music: History and Culture 4 units MUSC 450m The Music of Black Americans 4 units MUSC 460 Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present 4 units MUSC 465 Music, Television and American Culture 4 units Music Industry and Technology MPPM 120 Popular Music Forum 1 unit MUIN 277 Introduction to Music Technology 4 units MUIN 286 Record Production Management 2 units MUIN 287 The Business and Economics of the Recording Industry 2 units MUIN 372 a/b The Business and Legal Aspects of the Music Industry 4 units MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion 4 units MUIN 440 Arts Management 4 units MUIN 442 Operation of the Radio Studio 2 units MUIN 446a/b Computer Assisted Recording and Editing 2 units MUIN 448 Computer Music Notation and Preparation 2 units MUIN 495 Music Industry, Broadcast and the Internet 4 units MUIN 499 Special Topic (Fall 2012:Arts Leadership*) 2 units MUIN 570 The Music Industry* 4 units MUIN 575 Music Technology and Production* 4 units *Restricted to graduate students. Which Thornton Electives Satisfy Diversity? MUJZ 100xm MUJZ 419m MUSC 400m MUSC 420m MUSC 430m MUSC 450m Jazz: A History of America s Music The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences Hip-Hop Music and Culture Music and the Holocaust The Music of Black Americans Frequently Asked Questions: Can I rent an instrument? Students may rent instruments for use in Thornton courses from Music Operations. We offer instrument rental by the week or by the semester and have a wide array of instruments to choose from. Visit BMH 101 or www.usc.edu/schools/music/operations/instruments for rental rates and more information. Can I use the practice rooms? Music majors, minors, and students enrolled in any Thornton course that requires you to sing or play an instrument may have access to the practice rooms. Once you have registered for a qualifying course, bring your valid ID to Music Operations in BMH 101 to sign up for practice room access. 4
Minors Music Industry The Music Industry minor gives you an opportunity to explore careers in fields such as the record business, music publishing, artist management, radio, concerts, music for film, TV, video games, and the Internet. For performers, it provides the practical knowledge needed to protect your rights, maximize your opportunities, and understand the dollars and cents of the music business. MUIN 277x Introduction to Music Technology 4 MUIN 372abx Business and Legal Aspects of the Music Industry 4-4 One course from the following: MUHL 315x Music and Culture 4 MUSC 420m* Hip-Hop Music and Culture 4 MUSC 422* The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times 4 MUSC 444 American Roots Music: History and Culture 4 MUSC 450m The Music of Black Americans 4 MUSC 460 Film Music: History and Function 4 from 1930 to the Present MUSC 465 Music, Television and American Culture 4 *These courses are not listed in the Catalogue as fulfilling this requirement but may be substituted for it. Select 4 units from the following: MUIN 370 Distribution of Recorded Music and 4 Music Publishing MUIN 385 Radio in the Music Industry 4 MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion 4 MUIN 430 Artist Management and Development 4 MUIN 435 Manufacture and Distribution of Musical Products 4 MUIN 443 The Business of Music for Visual Media 4 MUIN 446ab Computer Assisted Recording and Editing 2-2 MUIN 495 Music Industry, Broadcast and the Internet 4 Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Total = 20 units Prior musical experience is not required. Students must apply for this minor, but virtually any student who has a 2.0 GPA or higher will be admitted. Prior to admission, students may take MUIN 277x, MUIN 372A, or any of the music history and culture courses listed above (e.g. MUSC 460). 5
Popular Music Studies Explore the roots of the music that you know and love and expand your musical horizons. The Popular Music Studies minor is for students whose passion is popular music and who want to delve into the cultural and historical contexts behind the music. Previous musical experience is not required. Choose four courses (16 units) from the following: MUSC 400m The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues and Experiences 4 MUSC 420m Hip-Hop Music and Culture 4 MUSC 422 The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times 4 MUSC 444 American Roots Music: History and Culture 4 MUSC 450m The Music of Black Americans 4 MUSC 465 Music, Television and American Culture 4 MUJZ 419m The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture 4 Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Total = 16 units Students must apply for this minor, but virtually any student with a 2.0 GPA or higher will be admitted. All of the courses in this minor are open to any student at USC, therefore, any course listed above may serve as the gateway. Consider taking MUSC 400m, MUSC 420m, or MUJZ 419m first, as they also fulfill the Diversity requirement. Music Recording The Music Recording minor provides the basic tools for high quality audio recording needed in today s music industry. Areas of study include digital equipment and recording, acoustics and speaker design, computer assisted recording and editing, remote recording techniques, advanced multichannel remix, audio mastering, and audio signal processing equipment. MUIN 275ab Recording Arts Workshop 4-4 MUIN 286 Record Production Management 2 MUIN 287 The Business and Economics of the 2 Recording Industry MUIN 446a Computer Assisted Recording and Editing 2 Select 10 units from the following courses: MUIN 389 Digital Equipment and Recording 2 MUIN 392a Acoustics and Speaker Design 2 MUIN 446b Computer Assisted Recording and Editing 2 MUIN 477 Remote Recording Techniques 2 MUIN 478 Advanced Multichannel Remix 2 MUIN 479 Audio Mastering 2 MUIN 493 Audio Signal Processing Equipment 2 6 Total = 24 units
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Students must apply for this minor, and admission is based on successful completion of MUIN 277x: Introduction to Music Technology. Generally, students who earn a B or better in this course and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher are accepted. Once in the minor, MUIN 277x will be substituted for MUIN 275A, which is a minor requirement. Jazz Studies The Jazz Studies minor is for students who already play jazz and want to continue to expand their musical experience. Through jazz improvisation, theory, and history classes, as well as private lessons and ensembles, students will gain the tools necessary to perform at a high level. MUCO 130ax Basics of Music Theory 3 MUEN 329 Jazz Ensemble (1), or MUEN 332 Jazz Chamber (1) 4 MUJZ 150x Beginning Jazz Improvisation 2 MUJZ 301 Individual Instruction 4 MUJZ 419m The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture, or MUSC 450m The Music of Black Americans 4 MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation 2 Music elective courses numbered 300-499 2 Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Total = 21 units Students must apply for this minor and audition on the instrument of their choice. Admission is primarily based on performance ability in the jazz idiom. Those who want to prepare for this audition and make progress in the minor should take individual lessons on their instrument at the non-minor level (i.e. those who wish to study jazz trumpet should take MUJZ 300x). If accepted into the minor, these lessons will count toward the minor s elective requirement. Students who are confident about the audition and wish to begin taking minor requirements may take MUJZ 419m or MUSC 450m (which will count for Diversity) and upper division elective courses in music. Those students who are ready for the course may also take MUJZ 150x. 7
Musical Studies The Musical Studies minor is for students who already have a background in classical music performance and want to continue to develop their skills. Musical Studies minors have the opportunity to study their instrument in private lessons and participate in ensembles, as well as study music theory and music history. Through the electives, students may explore their own unique musical interests. Students may apply on virtually any instrument, including voice. MUEN 300-499 Music Ensemble Electives 2 MUHL 315x Music and Culture 4 MPKS 250a Keyboard Instruction I 2 Individual Instruction at the 301 level 6 MUCO 130abx Basics of Music Theory 3-3 Music electives (must include 4 upper division units) 6 Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Total = 26 units Students must apply for this minor and audition on the instrument of their choice. Admission is primarily based on classical performance ability. Students who want to prepare for this audition and make progress in the minor should take individual lessons on their instrument at the non-minor level (i.e. those who wish to study piano should take MPKS 300x). If accepted into the minor, these lessons will count toward the minor s elective requirement. Students who are confident about the audition but wish to begin taking minor requirements may take MUHL 315x, music ensembles, or music electives. 8
Songwriting Songwriting is a craft that you can learn and develop even if you haven t spent years studying music. This minor offers practical hands-on instruction in the techniques of writing and performing your own original works, the technology to produce your songs, and critical studies in relevant repertoires. You will have opportunities to interact with established songwriters and to have your work showcased in public performances. MUCO 130abx Basics of Music Theory 3-3 MUSC 255 Songwriting I 2 MUSC 355 Songwriting II 2 MUSC 455 Songwriting III: The Performing Songwriter 2 MUSC 310 Computer Recording for the Performing Musician 2 MUSC 311 MIDI Techniques for the Performing Musician 2 Choose one of the following courses: COMM 306 The Communication Revolution, Entertainment and the Arts 4 COMM 307 Sound Clash: Popular Music and American Culture 4 COMM 384 Interpreting Popular Culture 4 COMM 440 Music as Communication 4 Choose one of the following courses: MUSC 400m The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences 4 MUSC 420m Hip-Hop Music and Culture 4 MUSC 422 The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times 4 MUSC 444 American Roots Music: History and Culture 4 MUSC 450m The Music of Black Americans 4 MUSC 460 Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to Present 4 Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Total = 24 units Students must apply for this minor. Those who are considering this program should enroll in MUSC 255: Songwriting I. Admission will be based on songwriting ability and potential as determined by the faculty lead and instructor for MUSC 255, Professor Chris Sampson. Any of the COMM and MUSC courses may also be taken prior to admission to the minor. 9
Musical Theatre Fine acting, good singing, beautiful dancing: it takes years to master the craft for any of those disciplines. The Musical Theatre minor is designed to broaden the skills of anyone on such a track by offering classes in theatre, music, and movement. Music majors wishing to pursue this minor must consult the Catalogue for requirements. Students majoring in any non-music discipline should follow the track below. MUSC 400m The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences 4 MPVA 402* Musical Theatre Workshop 2-2-2-2 THTR 343 Musical Theatre Audition 3 *2 units of MPVA 402 may be satisfied by taking THTR 397 Theatre Practicum I 6 units of voice courses selected from: 6 Option one: MPVA 301 Individual Instruction (2-2-2) Option two: MPVA 141/241 Class Voice or Intermediate Class Voice and (2) MPVA 301 Individual Instruction (2-2) 4 units of piano or guitar courses selected from: 4 Option one: MPKS 150ab Beginning Piano (2-2) Option two: MPGU 121** Intensive Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar (4) Option three: MPGU 120a** Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar, or (2) MPGU 125 Beginning Fingerstyle/Chord Guitar, or (2) MPGU 126 Easy Fingerstyle Beatles and (2) MPGU 120B** Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar (2) ** Approved substitutions for this requirement 2 units of movement courses selected from: 2 THTR 181-189 Various Dance Courses, or (2) THTR 216/316 Movement for Actors or Advanced Movement (2) Total = 27 units Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses: Students must apply for this minor and give an audition which involves performing two musical theatre songs from the standard repertoire (one ballad and one up-tempo number). Admission is based primarily on performance ability. No separate acting or dance audition is required. Students who wish to prepare for this audition may take MPVA 141: Class Voice or seek admission into MPVA 402: Musical Theatre Workshop by contacting the course instructor, Professor Parmer Fuller at pfuller@usc.edu. Other possibilities include the guitar and piano courses listed above and MUSC 400m: The Broadway Musical, which counts for Diversity. 10
Contact us at: USC Thornton Student Affairs (213) 740-4721 LPB 200 studentaffairs@thornton.usc.edu www.usc.edu/music