Music, Industry and Production
(413) 662-5255
www.mcla.edu/muip
Chairperson: Jerome Socolof, Ph.D.
Email: Jerome.Socolof@mcla.edu
Music, Industry and Production Major
The Department of Fine and Performing Arts offers a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Industry and Production. The program provides students with a general introduction to the field through a set of foundation courses in music and arts management. Students choose electives tailored to their desired focus in administration, performance, composition, and/or production. Options to double major or minor in the other Fine and Performing Arts programs allow students to pursue study uniquely tailored to their own interests and future goals. Located in one of the country’s premier arts and cultural meccas, MCLA music students leverage a dynamic range of coursework and practical application with unparalleled access to the Berkshire’s world-class performing arts institutions to become well-rounded graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to transition to careers in the music professions.
Students graduating with a major in Music, Industry and Production will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad-based understanding of the studio and historical/theoretical aspects of music;
- Demonstrate a high level of skill in music performance, composition and/or production;
- Demonstrate practical experience in public performance and/or production of music;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the current music ecosystem and their place in it.
Music Courses
MUSI 100 Introduction to Music3 cr
Provides a general historical survey of music and introduces basic music vocabulary. The objective of the course is to help students become conversant in the styles and genres of music.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
MUSI 120 Piano I3 cr
Classroom piano instruction for students with little or no musical background or experience. Emphasis on basic piano technique and elementary music theory.
MUSI 159 Music Theory I4 cr
Develops various ear training skills, including sight singing, melodic and rhythmic dictation, and an introduction to harmonic dictation. These skills will be developed in conjunction with an introduction to music theory: simple and compound meter, scales, intervals, and chords. Includes Piano Lab.
MUSI 175 Home Studio Recording3 cr
Introduces basic concepts of recording, mixing and editing music on a macbook. Course material includes microphone placement, recording, mixing and basic composition.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
MUSI 220 Piano II3 cr
Develops keyboard skills. Attention given to chording, sight reading, accompanying, improvising, performance practice and the development of a repertoire.
Prerequisite: MUSI 120
MUSI 253 World Music3 cr
Compares world music and the study of music in the context of culture. Introduces students to the field of ethnomusicology and explores the folk and classical music of Asia, the Balkans, the Americans, and the wealth of ethnic culture in the North Adams area.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
MUSI 256 Guitar I3 cr
Provides students with a proficiency of basic guitar techniques through study and performance of appropriate repertoire. Assumes no musical background or experience. Guitars provided on loan.
MUSI 258 Private Lessons1 cr
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10, one-hour instrumental or voice lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique as well as improve their musicianship. Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire with the studio instructor and will prepare at least one piece for a final evaluation or performance. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Two sections may be taken concurrently on different instruments. Additional fee required.
Prerequisite: Department approval
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)
Repeatable: Maximum of 3 credits
MUSI 259 Music Theory II4 cr
Introduces musical notations and modes of analysis in a sequential format beginning with basic staff and note symbols, scale and chord structure, major and minor tonality, etc., and continuing through key signatures, chord function, seventh chords, inversions and harmonic analysis and ear training. Mastery of skills is required before admission to the next level (B or better).
Prerequisite: MUSI 159
MUSI 350 Instrumental Ensembles1-3 cr
Perform with one or more of the following: The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Community Band; The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Jazz Band; Chamber Ensembles. These groups perform music from standard and contemporary literature and are intended for experienced instrumentalists.
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
MUSI 351 Topics in Music History3 cr
Studies the composition, performance, reception and criticism of music over a specified time period. A historical study of music concerned with a composer's life and works, performance practice, developments of styles and genres, and place of music in society. Offerings may include but are not limited to genre history, period history, composers or specific works.
Prerequisite: MUSI 100
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
MUSI 357 Vocal Ensembles1-3 cr
Perform with one or both of the following: The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Concert Choir; The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Chamber Choir; repertoire includes choral literature from all periods.
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
MUSI 358 Private Lessons1 cr
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10, one-hour instrumental or voice lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique, as well as improve their musicianship. Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire with the instructor and will prepare at least two pieces for a final evaluation or performance. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Two sections may be taken concurrently on different instruments. Additional fees required.
Prerequisite: MUSI 258, department approval
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)
Repeatable: Maximum of 3 credits
MUSI 359 Music Theory III3 cr
Continues materials presented in MUSI 259. Advanced work in harmonic analysis, secondary dominants, higher tertian chords, dictation and solfeg. Opportunities to improve conducting, performance, and composition skills. Further analysis of form, orchestration, arranging, and ear training.
Prerequisite: MUSI 259
MUSI 360 Composing with Software3 cr
Introduces students to compositional techniques and formal components of music composition using music composition software. Students will write several pieces of music and practice exercises to demonstrate the compositional principles under study. The course will include lecture and studio settings.
Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 375 Advanced Studio Recording/Live Sound3 cr
Continues MUSI 175. This course investigates advanced techniques of recording and live-sounding mixing on hardware and software. Techniques include microphone placement, speaker and monitor mixing, cabling and sound board principles. Students will be prepared for internships, graduate school and employment.
Prerequisite: MUSI 175
MUSI 410 Orchestration/Arranging3 cr
Studies the technique of orchestration. Instruments of the orchestra, instrumental colors, preparing the score, adapting music for different mediums. Students will create one large project (arrangement for band or orchestra).
Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 415 Counterpoint3 cr
An in-depth study of 18th century counterpoint with an historical approach. Students will write an invention, a trio-sonata and a fugue.
Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 420 Conducting3 cr
Examines elementary and intermediate conducting techniques, score reading, rehearsal techniques and score interpretation. Students will practice exercises and conduct music in the classroom as well as in a variety of ensembles.
Prerequisite: MUSI 259
MUSI 450 Topics in Music Seminar3 cr
Provides advanced work in analysis and interpretation and research. Offerings: Improvisation, Composition; Conducting; History of Musical Theatre, Recording.
Prerequisite: MUSI 159
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
MUSI 458 Private Lessons1 cr
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10 one-hour, instrumental-voice lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique and improve their musicianship. Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire with the instructor and will prepare at least two advanced pieces for a final evaluation or recital performance. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Additional fee required.
Prerequisite: MUSI 358, department approval
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)
Repeatable: Maximum of 3 credits
MUSI 459 Music Theory IV3 cr
Examines traditional techniques of musical form and their applications in historical and contemporary styles.
Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 475 Music Production Film3 cr
Continues MUSI 375. This course will examine the techniques and procedures of composing and recording music for specific uses with film. Students will create footage or explore outside sourced film and compose and/or mix music to be connected with aforementioned film. Students will explore the creative as well as the technical aspects of film music recording.
Prerequisite: MUSI 375
MUSI 499 Teaching Assistantship3 cr
Study music teaching methods, deliver academic class presentations, assist with study sessions and tutorials, attend all classes, final paper and other duties negotiated with course instructor. Must have completed a minimum of 4 courses in the major, have a 3.0 GPA or better, and a B+ or better in the course. This course can be taken for either pass/fail or traditional letter grading.
Prerequisite: Department approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 6 credits
MUSI 500 Independent Study1-4 cr
Open to junior and seniors who wish to read in a specific area or pursue a project or topic in depth under the direction of a faculty member. Frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits
MUSI 540 Internship1-15 cr
Offers eligible students the opportunity for enhanced educational opportunities by providing actual field experience in public or private organizations that relate to their academic and professional interests. Enrollment requires individual application with faculty sponsorship and departmental approval.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits