Welcome to the Music Technology page. If you’re here, you’re probably interested in things like audio recording, audio editing, electronic music, live sound, computers in music, and so on. The BM in Music Technology is designed to provide experiences in ALL of these areas, leading to a degree that prepares you to be a professional music technologist.
Dr. Matthew Harder
Director of Music Technology
304-336-8296 office
mharder@westliberty.edu
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Check out the Recording Studio page.
Follow this link to download the Music Student Handbook.
Curriculum listed below is effective Fall 2015
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
CURRICULUM:
128 Total Credit Hours
GENERAL STUDIES: 36 credit hours
General Studies requirements are also listed in the Admissions and Academic Policies section of the University Catalog: https://westliberty.edu/catalog/
CORE COURSES:
note: all prerequisites are listed with the course descriptions at the bottom of this page and in the College of Arts and Communication section of the University Catalog.
MUS 102 Musicianship* – 4 credits
MUS 103 Ear Training I* – 2 credit hours
MUS 104 Ear Training II* – 1 credit hour
MUS 203 Ear Training III* – 2 credit hours
MUS 204 Ear Training IV* – 1 credit hour
MUS 113 Music Theory I* – 2 credit hours
MUS 114 Music Theory II* – 3 credit hours
MUS 213 Music Theory III* – 2 credit hours
MUS 214 Music Theory IV* – 3 credit hours
MUS 246 Introduction to Music Technology – 3 credit hours
MUS 315 Form and Analysis – 2 credit hours
MUS 330 History of Music I – 3 credit hours
MUS 331 History of Music II – 3 credit hours
MUS 340 Basic Elements of Conducting – 2 credit hours
MUS 375 Functional Keyboard – 2 credit hours
MUS 461 Career Development Seminar – 1 credit hour
Applied Lessons – 2 credits per semester, 6 semesters required
Musical Organizations – 1-2 credit hours per semester, 7 semesters required
*You must earn a grade of “C” or better in these courses to be admitted to the next course in the sequence or as a requirement for graduation.
MAJOR COURSES – see course descriptions below
MUS 287 Recording Techniques I – 3 credit hours
MUS 288 Recording Techniques II – 3 credit hours
MUS 387 Electronic Music I – 3 credit hours
MUS 388 Electronic Music II – 3 credit hours
MUS 479 Special Problems in Music Technology – 3 credit hours
MUS 487 Music Technology Practicum – 1 credit hour per semester, 3 semesters required
MUS 490 Senior Project – 6 credit hours
COM 223, 224, or 225 Radio or TV Production – 4 credit hours
ELECTIVES (to total 128 hours):
Any MUS Courses
DMD 204 Radio Production – 4 credit hours (other than above requirement)
COM 224 Television Field Production – 4 credit hours (other than above requirement)
COM 225 Television Production – 4 credit hours (other than above requirement)
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
APPLIED STUDY – Music Technology majors must pass Applied Lessons in the major applied area (instrument or voice) through the Level 8. The typical sequence is MUS 200 Level 3 and 4 during the freshman year, Level 5 and 6 during the sophomore year, and MUS 400 Level 7 and 8 during the junior year. Progression through the sequence indicates growth and achievement in performance abilities. According to policy and based on recommendations by the jury and the private instructor, it is possible for a student to be be given a passing letter grade for applied lessons, but not be passed to the next level in the sequence. As a part of the Applied Lesson requirements, all music majors must perform at least once per semester on Student Forum (with the exception of first-semester freshmen). More information about Applied Study and Student Forum can be found in the Music Student Handbook.
STUDENT FORUM – A weekly gathering of all music students and faculty for student recitals, studio meetings, masterclasses, and special presentations. Attendance is required by all music majors.
ENSEMBLES – Music Technology majors must take at least seven (7) semesters of Ensembles (aka, Musical Organizations). Instrumental majors (winds, brass, percussion) must take at least four (4) semesters of Wind Ensemble. Voice majors must take at least four (4) semesters of University Chorus. Guitar majors must take at least four (4) semesters of Guitar Ensemble. All BMEMT majors must take at least two (2) semesters of Electronic Music Ensemble. BMEMT majors are encouraged to participate in a variety of ensembles as appropriate during their college career.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE – Each Music Major must attend a minimum of 35 recital and concert performances as part of graduation requirements. Failure to complete the requirement will delay graduation until the requirement is fulfilled. In meeting the requirement, each student is to include attendance at at least one event in each of the following categories: symphony orchestra, chamber music, opera, musical theater, ethnic/world music, solo performances, choirs and vocal ensembles. Large instrumental ensembles such as bands, symphonic wind ensembles, etc. Smaller instrumental ensembles such as brass ensemble, woodwind ensemble, percussion ensemble, etc. If a student is performing in more than one West Liberty ensemble in a semester, one performance may be counted toward the required number. This credit is not to be assumed. Students wishing to request this credit should present evidence of participation to the Music Executive. In advance of attendance, the Music Executive should approve all programs from outside the department.
UPPER DIVISION QUALIFICATION – Every music major must pass Upper Division Qualification (UDQ) at the end of the sophomore year of study (or thereabouts) in order to enroll in 300-level applied lessons and remain a music major. Students must apply for UDQ after the successful completion of certain courses from the Music Core. More information about UDQ can be found in the Music Student Handbook.
SENIOR PROJECT – Each Music Technology major must establish a committee of at least 3 full-time music faculty members in conjunction with and including his or her adviser. Each student must submit a Senior Project proposal to the committee and receive approval from the committee before the end of the semester prior to enrollment in MUS 490 Music Technology Senior Project.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
246. INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY – 3 hours
Computer basics, music notation software, basic MIDI, digital audio, basic recording, productivity software, computer-aided instruction software. MUS 246 substitutes for EDUC 290 for Music Education majors.
247. ADVANCED COMPUTER NOTATION – 3 hours
Advanced techniques for software-based music engraving. Prerequisite MUS 246.
287. RECORDING TECHNIQUES I: LIVE AND STUDIO RECORDING – 3 hours
Covers studio and live recording techniques. ProTools HD, studio construction, microphones, basic acoustics, analog vs. digital recording, and basic equipment maintenance.
288. RECORDING TECHNIQUES II – 3 hours
Continued study of studio and live recording techniques, some advanced recording techniques, and independent projects. More emphasis on “post production,” including digital signal processing and syncing sound to video. Prerequisite: MUS 287.
387. ELECTRONIC MUSIC I: MIDI AND DIGITAL SYNTHESIS – 3 hours
History of electronic music (popular music and “art” music), MIDI sequencing, sound design, electronic music production, composition, and synthesis techniques using Digital Audio Workstation software. Prerequisite: MUS 287.
388. ELECTRONIC MUSIC II: SAMPLING, LIVE ELECTRONICS, AND MULTIMEDIA – 3 hours
Continued study of electronic music via listening assignments, technical projects, and creative projects. Focus will be given to sampling techniques, interactive live performance, audio installations, and other multimedia works. Prerequisite: MUS 387.
461. SEMINAR FOR THE PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN – 1 hour
Seminar for music majors regarding professional etiquette and preparing for life as a professional musician. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
278. / 478. SPECIAL TOPICS – 1-3 hours
A course category for selected topics in the general field of music. Students should check the schedule to ascertain what topics are currently being offered and are further encouraged to recommend topical items to the department chairperson.
479. SPECIAL PROBLEMS – 1-3 hours
Directed individual work under the various members of the faculty; may be offered at any time. Student requests require approval of instructor, department chairperson, and school dean.
487. MUSIC TECHNOLOGY PRACTICUM – 1-2 hours
Application of practical skills in Music Technology including the following types of independent projects: Audio Recording, Audio Editing, CD Production, Music Laboratory Maintenance, Equipment Maintenance, Live Sound. Can be repeated for credit up to 4 credits. Prerequisite MUS 387.
490. SENIOR PROJECT IN MUSIC TECHNOLOGY- 6 hours
Capstone experience for Music Technology majors. Student will design, organize, and implement a large-scale music technology project. Project must be approved by a committee of music faculty. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.