Music and Technology, Contemporary - Composition Diploma
Overview
The Composition Diploma explores a wide range of styles and compositional techniques while providing students with the tools necessary to pursue their own artistic pathway or to embark on futures in contemporary niches, such as film scoring, music for advertising or songwriting.
Emphasis is put on developing each student's unique compositional identity while focusing on the skills that are at the core of the compositional process. At the end of the fourth semester, each student is responsible for organizing a half-hour graduating recital that showcases their abilities.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively in various formats to a variety of stakeholders
- Apply entrepreneurial skills
- Apply developing problem-solving skills
- Outline the importance of professional and ethical behaviour
- Explain terms, concepts and practices relevant to the music industry
- Use music industry-related technology proficiently
- Function collaboratively in a modern music industry environment
- Demonstrate developing critical and creative thinking skills
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, applicants to the Contemporary Music and Technology Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:
- Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher in English Studies 12
- Successfully pass an audition/interview that consists of:
- Assessment of instrumental ability on an instrument/voice. The instruments that are accepted are: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, voice, saxophone, trumpet, banjo, mandolin and violin/fiddle.
- Demonstration of basic music theory proficiency equivalent to the Royal Conservatory Grade II, through a written examination that includes identifying intervals, key signatures and triads in basic music theory equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music Grade II requirements.
- An ear training test for pitch, triads, rhythmic and melodic diction and interval recognition.
When it is not feasible to do the audition in person, alternate arrangements can be made. The theory and ear training test can be sent to the applicant for invigilation by an authorized person, and the performance portion can be submitted through approved audio/media material or by providing a link to an online video.
Special Exceptions
Applicants who perform an exceptional audition but who do not meet the theory and ear training standard will be required to attend a two-week theory preparation course in August. The applicant must have a minimum final grade of 75% in both the ear training and the theory sections to be accepted into the Music Program for September. Applicants who do not meet the minimum standard in matching pitch will not be accepted into the program.
Completed applications (except for the audition) are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by April 30 prior to the start of the next intake of the program. Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. The recommended deadline for completion of the audition process is May 31 prior to the commencement of the program.
Auditions will be arranged by the department when the completed application form and transcripts are received.
Study your instrument and related skills in the first year and choose a major in the second. An initial core year that provides solid grounding in music theory and ear training is followed by one of five program majors.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Before the applicant's file is considered to be complete, the following must be received:
a) completed application form;
b) official transcripts* of secondary school grades (an interim statement of grades is acceptable if the applicant is still attending secondary school);
c) official transcripts* of all other post-secondary education grades;
d) applicant information questionnaire; and
e) audition, theory, match pitch and ear training exam(s) results.
*Unofficial transcripts or photocopies will not be sufficient to complete the file.
2. Completed applications are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s office by April 30th Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. The program has limited space available so preference will be given to those that apply early.
3. Recommended deadline for completion of the audition process (see point A.2 above) is May 31 prior to the commencement of the program.
4. Auditions will be arranged by the department when items B.1a) to B.1e) above are completed.
PART TIME STUDENTS
All full-time students in the Music Program must take, in each semester, all the "Music Core and Concentrate Courses" as applicable to the chosen major, as listed in section D: Graduation Requirements.
Students wishing to enrol in the Music Program on a part-time basis may do so providing the same entry requirements as full-time students as stated in section I.A have been fulfilled. Part-time students and full-time students not meeting the requirement of part C1 may attend classes only where space is available, after all full-time students are scheduled and permission from the course instructor has been obtained.
Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher with no grades below "C-". Specific majors have additional graduation requirements.
PROMOTION
1. In order to progress from one semester to the following, each semester must be completed with a term GPA of 2.0 (“C” average) or better, and no more than one “F.” Normally, students who do not meet this standard will be placed on Academic Probation the following term as per Policy 8619. Failure to meet this standard for two consecutive terms will result in a Required to Withdraw letter from the Dean.
2. In order to progress from Semester I to Semester II, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better; To progress from Semester II to Semester III, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better, plus any requirements for their chosen major. To progress from Semester III to Semester IV, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better. Those students whose GPA is between 1.00 and 1.99 may continue as a General major.
3. Students who have an Incomplete grade ("I") at the end of any term may be allowed to proceed into the following term on a "conditional" basis. Such "conditional promotion" status will normally be permitted to continue only for the specified period permitted for the conversion of "I" grades (within 30 days). The "I" grade must be converted to meet the terms in B.1.
4. Due to the limited space available, a maximum of 10 students will be accepted into the Production major. In the event that more than 10 eligible students request acceptance into the Production major, the School Chair may increase capacity; otherwise, priority will be given to students with the highest GPA.
A. Prerequisites for Majors (Year 2)
For acceptance to majors in second year, students must have no ‘F’ grades, or have cleared previous ‘F’ grades in addition to the following major-specific requirements:
1. COMPOSITION: "B" or better in MUSC 175 Contemporary Harmony II and MUSC 171 Arranging II.
DECLARING A MAJOR
The process to declare a major happens at the end of January for Music students who expect to complete the prerequisites listed in C above.
1. Students attend an info session at Music Forum class to learn about potential majors.
2. Review the required Music and Core Competency Courses specific to each major.
3. Complete an online Major Declaration Form listing the choice of major and preferred elective(s) by January 31.
GRADUATION (also see College Policy 8617 Graduation)
1. Credential:
Diploma in Contemporary Music and Technology with a specified major. Majors include: Performance, Production, Composition, Songwriting, and General Studies.
2. General Requirements:
Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher as per Policy 8617: Credentials and Graduation. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to repeat course(s) with a grade below “C” in order to raise the cumulative GPA.
3. Specific Requirements – Majors: Performance, Composition, Songwriting
a) To graduate as a Performance, Composition or Songwriting major, students must complete Year One course requirements as outlined in the tables below, all the requirements for their chosen major, and perform a Graduation Showcase.
b) Performance, Composition, and Songwriting majors who do not meet the specific graduation requirements for their major will not perform a Graduation Showcase. These students will graduate as a General Studies Major upon successful completion of the general graduation requirements and the coursework for a General Studies Major.
Graduation Showcase: Performance, Composition, and Songwriting majors must present a Graduation Showcase.
Courses
MUSC100A - Music Forum A
MUSC150 - Private Lesson I
MUSC 150 Private Lesson I. A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all first year students. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic, bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students technical and musical abilities.
MUSC154 - Basic Keyboard I
MUSC 154 Basic Keyboard I. A required course for all students with the exception of keyboard majors. This course is designed to provide practical ''hands-on'' knowledge of the keyboard in today's music industry. Students will gain an understanding of chording (in nearest inversion) and will be required to create musical excerpts using upper structure triads.
Students who enter the program with piano as their principal instrument are exempt from taking MUSC 154/ MUSC 155 as part of the core course requirements for graduation.
MUSC158 - Ensemble I
MUSC 158 Ensemble I. Ensembles, required of all students, are the focal point of the Music program. All students are placed by audition in one or more ensembles. Students must participate in a minimum of four ensembles to graduate. Types of ensembles offered will focus on contemporary music including rock, funk, fusion, jazz and vocal, with the goal of developing both the student's repertoire and improvisational abilities. Students are encouraged to participate in as many different types of ensembles as possible. A graduation showcase will be required from all students majoring in Music Performance.
MUSC100B - Music Forum B
MUSC151 - Private Lesson II
MUSC 151 Private Lesson II. A weekly one-hour private instrumental or vocal lesson is provided for all first year students. Instruction is available on keyboard, woodwinds, saxophone, percussion, guitar, electric and acoustic, bass, and voice. Lessons are designed to increase students technical and musical abilities.
MUSC155 - Basic Keyboard II
MUSC 155 Basic Keyboard II. A required course for all students, except Keyboard majors. This course continues to expand on chords and keyboard techniques. This semester also focuses on musical ''grooves'' of various styles requiring more challenging coordination and technical skills
Students who enter the program with piano as their principal instrument are exempt from taking MUSC 154/ MUSC 155 as part of the core course requirements for graduation.
MUSC159 - Ensemble II
MUSC 159 Ensemble II. Ensembles, required of all students, are the focal point of the Music program. All students are placed by audition in one or more ensembles. Students must participate in a minimum of four ensembles to graduate. Types of ensembles offered will focus on contemporary music including rock, funk, fusion, jazz and vocal, with the goal of developing both the student's repertoire and improvisational abilities. Students are encouraged to participate in as many different types of ensembles as possible. A graduation showcase will be required from all students majoring in Music Performance.
Tuition & Fees
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees. For Year 1 tuition and fees, see Contemporary Music & Technology.
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