Contact:
LACM Admissions
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(626) 568 8850
Talk with an Admissions Counselor
Department Head
Erin Workman
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The Master of Music degree in Songwriting is a practice-oriented degree designed to focus on the development of professional competence for students who intend to pursue a career in music as artists and educators.
The degree, including its curricular structure, requirements for admission, continuation and graduation, are guided by the mission statement and purposes objectives of the Los Angeles College of Music graduate degree program.
Mission Statement
The Los Angeles College of Music master’s program provides a rich environment where students develop a competitive career path through artistic endeavor, rigorous training, scholarship and unparalleled exposure to the music industry to become influential creative artists, educators, and entrepreneurs.
Purposes/Objectives
Directed by the guiding principle to develop students as successful artistic entrepreneurs, the purposes and objectives, structure and content of the Master of Music and Master of Arts programs focus on in-depth knowledge and competence in a major field of specialization and a breadth of competence through practice and scholarship.
The institution maintains a rigorous admissions policy that aligns with the objectives and goals of the Master of Music programs. The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates applicants for academic accomplishment, musicianship, talent, artistry, and level of commitment.
- All Master of Music and Master of Arts applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Music (BM) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music from an accredited institution. Bachelor’s degrees in other fields of study are accepted if applicants have the musical training and musicianship necessary to pursue graduate work by successfully passing our entrance exams. Degrees from international institutions are considered with a US equivalency evaluation report from a certified credential evaluator.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 from the applicant’s baccalaureate degree is required for admission.
- Applicants must submit and essay on their goals in pursuing a career in music and what they expect to gain and contribute to the master’s program.
- Applicants must pass an entrance audition and demonstrate advanced proficiency in their major field of specialization.
- Applicants must pass entrance exams that demonstrate competency at the baccalaureate level in Musicianship, Music History, Music Technology and Music Business.
- Recordings of and lead sheets to three (3) songs to which the applicant has significantly contributed.
- A statement of the nature and degree of the applicant’s contribution to each song (songs that are the product of collaboration are acceptable).
- Two (2) printed scores of arrangements for varied instrumentation (these can be arrangements of the applicant’s song submissions or of other material). MIDI arrangements are acceptable and recordings may be included.
- .A video of you demonstrating competency on an instrument (keyboard or guitar).
Writer/Producer Collaboration 1 (2 credits)
Paired with a producer or production team, songwriters will write “to pitch” and collaborate on production for a minimum 3-song demo. This class consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and two-hour lab.
Artists & Brand Partnerships (2 credits)
Students study consumer brands and review case studies of symbiotic artist and brand partnerships. Through analysis of ROI and multiple indicators of performance, students will create a full-scale proposal for a marketing and business campaign between artist and brand. This course consists of a weekly two-hour lecture.
Session Arranging & Production Techniques (1.5 credits)
This course will instruct in advanced and efficient methods for arranging for a demo session, full scale production, quick pitch, etc. This course consists of a weekly two-hour lecture.
Entrepreneurship & Marketing for The Professional Songwriter (1.5 credits)
Entrepreneurial and business strategies will be presented, along with advanced marketing and promotion strategies. Culminates in initial individualized business plan with initial marketing assets developed. This class consists of a weekly 90-minute lecture.
Advanced Music Publishing & Licensing (2 credits)
Building on initial foundation of knowledge in the area of music publishing, licensing, copyright law, and common business practices, to expand into more advanced methodology behind capitalizing on intellectual property. This class consists of a weekly two-hour lecture.
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