RETURN
TO PROGRAMS
A-Z hy

MUSC 268 - SONGWRITING I

This course is designed to help you prepare for
survival in the competitive world of the songwriters
market. Learn about all types of styles while striving
to define your own. Special attention is paid to the
rudiments of songwriting: creativity, basic theory
(usage of basic rhythms, scales, harmony, melodic
patterns, lyrics, etc.), basic styles (pop. rock, folk,
country, etc.), production patterns, and the legalities
of the music business. The class also spends time
analyzing the work of other writers (successful and
unsuccessful; those who have maintained artistic
integrity; those who have not).

Prerequisites: MUSC 171 and MUSC 175 with a

grade of “B” or higher.

MUSC 269 - SONGWRITING II

This course is designed to strengthen your
songwriting skills in every respect. Closer attention
is paid to marketing skills, legal procedures,

finding one’s personal niche in the music business
(whether to focus on one’s own style, concentrate on
writing tunes for other acts, or both; whether to go
through a publisher or be your own publisher; etc.).
Co-writing music will be explored (you put lyrics to
someone else’s music; they put music to yours). In
class time centers around the analysis of successful
songwriters in every genre.

Prerequisites: MUSC 268.

MUSC 270 - RECORDING TECHNIQUES I

This course provides students with an introduction
to recording principles and practices. Through
theoretical and hands-on instruction, students
acquire a basic understanding of studio technologies
and recording skills. Topics include: fundamentals

of analog recording, design and function of
microphones, loudspeakers and acoustical
considerations in recording and sound reproduction,
and studio maintenance. The student engineer works
with a student producer and artist. A minimum of two
recording projects is required for successful course
completion.

Prerequisites: MUSC 161 with a grade of“B” or higher;
MUSC 181. Corequisite: MUSC 260.

MUSC 271 - RECORDING TECHNIQUES II

The emphasis in this course is on advanced
multi-track recording techniques including
microphone placement, console signal flow, and live
recording. Topics include: discussion and utilization
of signal processing equipment including limiters,
compressors, noise gates, digital reverb, and delay.
Student engineers work with student producers and
artists or composers.

Prerequisites: MUSC 270 for MUSC 271. Corequisites:
MUSC 261/289.

selkirk.ca/programs

MUSC 272 - IMPROVISATION I

In this course students will begin applying the basic
tools of melodic improvisation. Through performance
and analysis, melodic interpretation, phrasing,

rhythmic density, motivic development, pacing, voice
leading, and harmonic accuracy will be explored. The

class will examine classic solos in a variety of idioms.

Students will be required to write and transcribe
solos. The class is taught with “instrument in hand.”

Prerequisites: MUSC 151 with a grade of “B” or higher;

MUSC 163, 175, and 181 for MUSC 272. Students must
be full-time Performance majors.

MUSC 273 - ADVANCED IMPROVISATION II

This course continues the concepts of melodic,
harmonic, and rhythmic variety learned in
Improvisation I. These concepts are then applied
to the stylistic considerations of rock, funk, Latin,
Jazz, blues, and calypso music. Greater emphasis is
given to harmonic accuracy through arpeggio and
scale studies. Students will examine classic solos in
class, as well as transcribe and perform their own
transcriptions of improvisations. Improvisation is
also examined in the context of rhythmic section
accompaniment.

Prerequisites: MUSC 272. Students must be full-time
Performance majors.

MUSC 274 - CONTEMPORARY HARMONY III

This course continues with the principles of
contemporary harmony as presented in CH IL.
Topics are expanded to include advanced minor

key concepts, introduction to modal harmony and
modal interchange, substitute dominant functions,
basic chord scales for melodic considerations,
advanced harmonic analysis and basic concepts of
re-harmonization. This course provides students with
a working knowledge of contemporary minor key
and modal harmony and the ability to use them in all
styles of popular music.

Prerequisites: MUSC 175.

MUSC 275 - CONTEMPORARY HARMONY IV

This course deals with advanced harmonic concepts
including deceptive resolutions, special function
dominant chords, pedal point and ostinato and
advanced modal harmony including compound chord
symbols, hybrid chord structures and polymodality.
Upon successful completion of this course, students
will have a strong working knowledge of current
harmonic practices in all styles of contemporary
music. Students will also be able to demonstrate this
knowledge through written and performance-related
venues.

Prerequisites: MUSC 274.

MUSIC & TECHNOLOGY
selkirk.ca/music

MUSC 280 - EAR TRAINING III

This course continues to develop an aural perception
of intervals, pitches, seventh chords, chord
progressions, melodies and rhythms. The focus of this
term is on minor and secondary dominant melodies
and chord progressions. The rhythms explore
sixteenth note syncopated rhythms as well as 6/8
and 5/4 meters.

Prerequisites: MUSC 181.

MUSC 281 - EAR TRAINING IV

Upon successful completion of this course you will
have mastered basic aural skills for professional
musicianship. The emphasis on this level is chromatic
and modal melodies. Mixed meters and odd time
signatures are explored. Emphasis is given to
transcribing prerecorded songs.

Prerequisites: MUSC 280.

MUSC 282 - FILM SCORING I

This hands-on course focuses on TV and radio
broadcasting. Students are required to score themes
and cues for various TV and radio shows using mostly
electronic equipment along with one or two live
musicians.

Prerequisites: MUSC 161.

MUSC 283 - FILM SCORING II

This course provides students with an understanding
of the different compositional techniques used

in feature film genres such as drama, suspense,
comedy and action/adventure. The course content
includes analysis of film soundtracks of the past

and present, the business of being a film composer,
film scoring technology, orchestration, conducting,
and how to get started as a film composer. Weekly
assignments require students to compose music to
picture for subsequent review by the instructor. At
the end of the term students will have created a large
portfolio of audio and visual material.

Prerequisites: MUSC 175.

MUSC 284 - COMPOSITION I

This course is designed to improve the skills

of composers by presenting a wide variety of
compositional tools in styles ranging from classical
to jazz, folk, rock and pop. By studying the recordings
and scores of composers throughout history each
student gains a musical awareness that strengthens
their own compositional process. Particular attention
is paid to the “building blocks of a composition;”

the musical elements such as melody, harmony and
rhythm that are at the core of the creative process.
In class performance and analysis of student
compositions occurs on a weekly basis and midterm
and final assignments are recorded.

Prerequisites: MUSC 171 and 175.

Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20 151