The Music Department offers an innovative music curriculum combined with cutting edge music technology. Studies in music theory, history, acoustics, aesthetics, and performance are complemented by MIDI composition and audio recording/editing, using the highest quality, most current studio equipment and computers. Structured according to established national guidelines, we provide a well-balanced and integrated program.
Pierce College’s Commercial Music and Technology website. Here you will find all of the information about courses that are offered in the program. The program is divided into subject interests such as Recording Arts, Electronic Music, and Jazz Performance. All of the music technology classes, Recording Arts and Electronic Music, are taught on state of the art equipment by instructors that are active in the music business. The Jazz courses encompass beginning as well as advanced musicians and are taught by currently performing musicians.
This is an unofficial worksheet for you to use. Fill in the grade and semester completed for each required course. You must have received a grade of “C” or better in each course and you will need to attach a copy of your transcript to your official request. Please note that 0.5 unit labs do not count toward Skills certificates.
To actually apply for any of the skill certificates indicated below, an Official Application form must be used and may be picked up in the Music Office CH 244
Commercial Music Certificate curriculum has been designed to provide the student with means to acquire valuable knowledge, expertise, and marketable skills with which to obtain employment in the following areas:
Instrumental Performer - (select from the instrumental specialties listed)
Brass
Guitar
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Strings
Woodwinds
Vocal Performer
Orchestrator/Arranger
Music Copyist
Music Technology
Each Certificate is made up of four skill levels. A Skills Certificate will be awarded by the Music Department upon application by the student to the Department showing satisfactory completion of the requirements for each level. A Commercial Music Certificate will be awarded by the Music Department to a student who has successfully completed the four levels required for a given specialty.
Please note that 0.5 unit labs do not count toward Skills Certificates.
Each student is responsible for filing an official application with the Music Department Chair for any of the Skill Certificates offered. Official applications should be picked up in the Music Office (CH 244).
An unofficial worksheet showing the course requirements for each specialty and each level is available here by clicking on the linked certificates listed above. This is for your use only. You will need to pick-up an official application in the Music Office (CH 244) and complete that official form in order to apply for any Skill Certificate.
BA Single Honours / BA Combined Honours / BA (QTS)
Why study Music at Hope?
• A department plugged into the musical life of Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, including a formal link with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO).
• Based at Hope’s city-centre Cornerstone campus, an important and exciting centre for the arts that hosts, among other things, the annual Cornerstone Festival, the European Opera Centre and the music therapy trust MusicSpace.
• Staff expertise covering a wide range of creative and academic aspects of music including composition, performance, theory, popular culture, church music, music theory and analysis.
• Pianist Joanna MacGregor is a Visiting Professor at Hope.
What will I study?
Combined Honours students choose to specialise either in popular or classical music, although everyone studies some aspects of both in the first year. Music Technology is only available as part of our BA Single Honours course. QTS students specialise in classical music.
Level 1
You are introduced to a range of approaches to popular and classical music. Alongside this academic work you will be expected to play and sing in a range of different styles and contexts as well as attending a wide range of concerts and other events. Single Honours students also study the creative use of music technology, working in our state-of-the-art midi and recording studios.
Level 2
You can choose to specialise in two areas from performance, songwriting, classical composition and music therapy. In the field of popular music you will complete a wideranging survey of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, whilst on the classical side you will study selected 19th-century composers and their relationship to Beethoven. Single Honours students will also continue their studies in creative music technology, focusing on areas such as electro-acoustic composition.
Level 3
You will have the choice of a range of options including Composition, Advanced Performance, Projects in Music Since 1900 (history and analysis of classical music), Music in Film, and a Research Project (largely independent study of a negotiated topic).
The Music Department also offers a minor in music technology for those students who desire a focus on recording and electroacoustic composition. Music technology minors are encouraged to seek additional electives in applied music, music theory, and music history.
Almost all music is touched by technology in some way in today’s cultural climate. Whether recording an orchestra concert, amplifying a pop singer, or composing interactive electroacoustic music, a music technologist or audio engineer is involved.
The primary mission of this degree adheres to the Lewis University and Music Department Mission statements. Its primary goal is not to be a “knob-turning” degree. Instead, it strives create life-long learners and adapters, through study of standard techniques, music repertory, and creative endeavors such as composition. Using this approach to music pedagogy, students who complete the curriculum will be able to apply and adapt their knowledge to a variety of technology environments, not just the environment and technology they encounter at Lewis.
The Lewis University Music Department is committed to providing students with state of the art technology to assist them in creative endeavors and to help them develop their musical skills. State of the art electronic music lab is continually being updated as technology progresses. Every semester the department, in cooperation with the Arts and Ideas program, sponsors a series of concerts presented by guest artists, faculty, alumni, and students, as well as performances by the resident music ensembles. Music majors in both tracks are invited to participate in or attend these concerts, which are provided without additional charge to students.
The Music Department teaches music not only as a liberal art but also for professional pursuits, offering courses for students in all majors. Many students choose to satisfy the fine arts requirement by taking Music for the Listener, which is offered every semester, or by taking one of several courses in music history, which range from medieval to modern music.
The department also offers specialized course work leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major or a minor in music, a minor in music technology, and a major in music merchandising. Students who major in music may choose to concentrate on applied vocal or instrumental music, music theory and composition, or music history. This track prepares students for graduate study or to pursue music as a performer and teacher.
Music merchandising majors combine their musical studies with courses in business and marketing to prepare themselves for music business careers such as music retailers, sales representatives, sound technicians, talent agents, and in symphony and opera management. Although available to all Lewis Unviersity students, the newly implemented minor in music technology is an innovative option to music merchandising majors interested in recording, software design, and electroacoustic composition. The music merchandising program also involves an internship experience, often at world class companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Courses in music theory and history are taught by experienced full-time faculty who are creatively active as composers, performers, conductors, and scholars. Computer assisted instruction is an essential component in the study of music theory. Students also take private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, and all orchestral instruments with instructors who are active in music performance in the Chicago area.
Music majors and minors have the opportunity to perform in one of the university’s many ensembles every semester. The department maintains a symphony orchestra, a college choir, a vocal jazz ensemble, a gospel choir, a jazz band, a guitar ensemble and a wind ensemble. These ensembles are directed by full and part-time faculty who have established themselves as respected conductors at the local, regional, and national level. All these ensembles perform every semester and are open to members of the community as well as to students in all majors. Some require an audition.
Every semester the department, in cooperation with the Arts and Ideas program, sponsors a series of concerts presented by guest artists, faculty, alumni, and students, as well as performances by the resident music ensembles. Music majors in both tracks are invited to participate in or attend these concerts, which are provided without additional charge to students.
Financial aid is available for music study at Lewis University in a number of forms. In addition to the financial aid available through the university, the Music Department offers a limited number of Talent Scholarships to promising students who intend to major in music. These scholarships are not based upon financial need but on musical ability and potential as demonstrated in an audition for the faculty. Talent Scholarships may be combined with grants, loans, and work-study programs available from other sources.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY/MINOR
Minor Credit Hours: 18
Required Courses (18)
14-299 Introduction to Recording and Computer Music (3)
14-300 Electronic Music Techniques (9)
14-180 Beginning Class Piano 1 (2)
or
14-182 Applied Piano (2)
or
14-186 Music Composition (2)
(Please note: Because current Music or Music Merchandising majors must take Applied Piano, they may elect to take 14-186 Music Composition; however, non-music majors must take 14-180 or 14-182.)
14-108 Recording Ensemble (4)
Entry Requirements
Details: In addition to the scheme entry requirements, you will require either: a first degree in a media / arts related subject with evidence of a substantial technological component; or in a technological subject with evidence of creative ability; or a relevant professional qualification with supporting evidence of appropriate work through a professional portfolio. Applications are encouraged from people who do not possess any of these formal qualifications but who have the ability, knowledge and intellectual ability to benefit from the scheme.
International students will need to meet the University’s English Language requirement which is IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.0, or equivalent.
Did you know our entry requirements are flexible?
We are firmly committed to widening participation and lifelong learning. Our entry requirements are flexible, so if you don’t have the qualifications required, but do have the relevant experience and commitment to suceed, you may be considered for a place on your chosen course.
Need flexible study options?
Whether you are in full-time employment or raising a family, we have ways of supporting you throughout your studies. If you are unable to study in the traditional full-time, campus-based way, do talk to us. If none of our standard postgraduate programmes offer what you need, or if you have difficulties attending at set times, talk to us about negotiating an Individual Programme of Study (IPoS).
Need a bespoke course to train your staff?
We also offer bespoke courses to organisations looking to train their staff. Remember, postgraduate education can be accessed by anyone with the potential for success, based on relevant work experience and/or other qualifications