Musicians Institute’s challenging Bachelor of Music in Performance (Contemporary Styles) is a unique degree program combining contemporary music performance with rigorous training in traditional music disciplines. The twelve-quarter, 180 credit-unit curriculum emphasizes the development of stylistic depth, creative maturity and professional competence as part of a comprehensive college education preparing students to enter the contemporary music industry. Upon completion of all requirements, students are eligible to receive the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Contemporary Styles) in Guitar, Bass, Drum Set, Keyboard or Voice.
Additional options for study include:
BM-Performance (Minor in Music Industry Studies)
Combines the major in Performance for Guitar, Bass, Drum Set, Keyboard or Voice with 30 units of study in the business side of the music industry, including record company management, artist management, publishing, and marketing & distribution. Total program length is 193-201 units depending on instrument; see By Degree>Certificate>Music Business for information on Minor Area curriculum. Click Here to download overall credit requirements.
BM-Performance (Minor in Audio Production)
Combines the major in Performance for Guitar, Bass, Drum Set, Keyboard or Voice with 30 units of study in audio production, including software-based recording, large analog consoles, tracking, mixing, mastering and more. Total program length is 193-201 units depending on instrument; see By Degree>Certificate>Audio Engineering for information on Minor Area curriculum.
All BM students must complete the Major Area and Supportive Music requirements described below (for students taking Minor Studies described above, some requirements are replaced by alternate courses in the minor area). For instrument-specific requirements, click on the appropriate link. Click Here to download overall credit requirements.
MAJOR AREA: ALL INSTRUMENTS
All non-keyboard major degree students must demonstrate keyboard proficiency by the end of their Freshman year through examination or a passing grade of C- or better in Keyboard Proficiency III.
Private Lesson I–XII
Weekly private lesson with an instructor applying principles learned in instrument study to the major instrument and preparation for juries and final projects.
Degree Ensembles I–XII
Weekly live performance workshops providing development of ensemble techniques in required repertoire styles as well as preparing students for Sophomore and Senior juries.
Performance I–IV
An in-depth study of a variety of contemporary and commercial performance-related subjects including prototypical characteristics of influential styles, repertoire, improvisation and interpretation. Weekly critiqued performances of selected repertoire.
Sophomore Jury
Juried performance demonstrating student’s ability to meet lower-division graduation requirements. Includes demonstrations of solo work, transcription skills, stylistic ensemble repertoire and sightreading. Preparation takes place under the supervision of the private instructor as well as in Degree Ensembles.
Senior Jury
Juried performance demonstrating student’s ability to meet final graduation requirements. Focuses on the student as leader and interpreter with emphasis on individuality, advanced technical skill, stylistic clarity and overall musicianship. Preparation takes place under the supervision of the private instructor and Degree Ensembles.
SUPPORTIVE MUSIC: ALL INSTRUMENTS
Theory I -VIII
A comprehensive study of traditional and contemporary music theory from basic concepts including scales and intervals, triads, major mode progressions with voice leading, minor modes and modal scales through extended chromaticism, pandiatonicism, polychords and polytonality.
Ear Training I - VI
A comprehensive study of ear training from simple and compound intervals, sight singing and dictation in simple and compound duple and triple meters through chromaticism, altered harmonies, and polyrhythms.
Roots of Rock and Roll
A survey of Rock’s roots, including Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly, New Orleans, vocal groups, doo-wop, and early 60’s pop, including an examination of the founding figures and major influences.
World Music
A study of music in the context of selected cultures around the world. Ways in which music and lyrics function in these cultures are explored through listening and transcriptions.
Western Art Music: Middle Ages to Classical
A survey of Western art music from the Middle Ages through the end of the 18th century. The course will include discussion of major styles and forms in historical context, supplemented by representative listening.
Western Art Music: Romantic to 21st Century
Covers the history of musical styles in the Romantic period through 20th music including cultural contexts and social meaning. Composers and musical developments in European and American Art Music, orchestral, choral, band, chamber music and solo repertoire are combined with the influences of music from other world cultures. Compositional techniques, style characteristics, and relationships will be emphasized. In addition to a midterm and final examination, the course requires one critical concert report, workbook assignments, and presentation.
Contemporary Arranging I - V
A thorough study of traditional and contemporary arranging techniques including rhythm section, solo and group voices, horns, and strings including score preparation, parts preparation, notation, and nomenclature in selected contemporary styles. Student arrangements are professionally recorded.
Directing and Conducting
Fundamentals of conducting including beat patterns, posture, arm and hand position, articulations, dynamics, left hand functions, incomplete beats and fermatas will be covered, as well as basic score reading and application of skills to contemporary music.
Music Industry Studies
An overview of the contemporary music industry with special concentration on how record companies work, how A&R reps find and sign new talent, copyrighting songs, music publishing and the roles of personal managers, booking agents, business managers and music business attorneys. Current music business news is discussed with regard to its effect on the students as independent artists.
Studio Recording I - II
A study of recording and editing techniques using Digidesign Pro Tools with primary focus on applications to arranging and composing. Topics include handling of tracks, importing audio, recording of play lists, equalization, and effects as well as virtual instruments, midi recording, sequencing, trimming, fading, tempo, meter maps, time stretching, and plug-in automation, culminating in the mixing of a fully arranged song applying all of the studied techniques.
Multimedia Applications
A survey course covering various software programs used in business applications, graphic arts and digital imaging. Students learn to set up a business in multimedia production, design logos, print advertisements, and set text and graphics for output. Three lecture hours per week for one quarter.
Styles Survey I – II
Provides students with an analytical overview of styles as they relate to repertoire requirements. Styles covered include Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Latin.
Topics in Contemporary Music Instruction
The skill and art of teaching contemporary music in a variety of settings including rehearsals, coaching, and group and private lessons.
Diction for Vocalists
Degree-specific requirement for Voice majors. Students improve their articulation and enunciation through the use of drills, exercises, and feedback, and learn to apply these skills to the performance of contemporary music. Specific issues including accent and dialect reduction and enhancement will also be addressed.
Keyboard Proficiency I - III
Degree-specific requirement for non-keyboard majors. Covers basic motor skills involved in playing the keyboard through diatonic scales, arpeggios, chord families, voice leading, basic keyboard harmony, and selected repertoire. Trains students in using the keyboard as an arranging tool, lead sheet interpretation, basic score reading and outlining an arrangement.
Click Here to download General Education Requirements.
Click Here to download instrument performance placement test information.
Click Here to download Theory and Ear Training placement test information.