Master of Music Songwriting
Contact:
LACM Admissions
[email protected]
(626) 568 8850
Talk with an Admissions Counselor
Department Head
Erin Workman
[email protected]
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 a graduate-level education. Degrees from international institutions are considered with a US equivalency evaluation report from a certified credential evaluator.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 from the applicant’s baccalaureate degree is recommended for admission.
- Applicants must submit an 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 in Performance, Composing for Visual Media, and Songwriting programs will be asked to take a placement exam that demonstrates competency at the baccalaureate level in Theory/Musicianship.
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Recordings and Lead Sheets:
Submit recordings and lead sheets (with lyrics) for three (3) songs to which you have made a significant creative contribution. Collaborative works are welcome. -
Contribution Statements:
Provide a statement for all 3 songs outlining your specific role and level of involvement in each submitted song. -
Arrangements:
Submit two (2) printed scores of arrangements for varied instrumentation. These may be based on your own songs or other material. MIDI arrangements are acceptable, and accompanying recordings may be included. -
Instrumental Proficiency Video:
Submit a video demonstrating your competency on an instrument (original or cover). Keyboard or guitar is preferred.
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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Master of Music Composing for Visual Media
Contact:
LACM Admissions
[email protected]
(626) 568 8850
Talk with an Admissions Counselor
Department Head
Mark Smythe
[email protected]
The Master of Music degree in Composing for Visual Media 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 a graduate-level education. Degrees from international institutions are considered with a US equivalency evaluation report from a certified credential evaluator.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 from the applicant’s baccalaureate degree is recommended for admission.
- Applicants must submit an 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 in Performance, Composing for Visual Media, and Songwriting programs will be asked to take a placement exam that demonstrates competency at the baccalaureate level in Theory/Musicianship.
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Fully-notated score (PDF format) for three (3) original compositions. Scores must be professionally prepared using music notation software such as Sibelius or Dorico, and should accurately reflect the accompanying audio recordings.
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QuickTime recordings of the submitted compositions, with music synced to picture. The works should demonstrate the ability to capture mood, color, and action through both composition and orchestration (Live recordings are preferred whenever possible; however, MIDI-generated and hybrid recordings (MIDI combined with live instruments) are also acceptable.)
Composer Entrepreneur 1: Collaboration & Communication (3 credits)
This course emphasizes maximizing the composers’ relationship with the director, editors, and producers. The class focuses on collaboration and communication styles within the entertainment industry at large as well as exploring a “Score Pitch”, business skills, contracts, and working within the limitations of budgets. This class consists of two weekly 90-minute lectures.
Writing for Sync (2 credits)
In-depth exploration of styles of songwriting and composition related to varied visual media outlets (Film/TV/Video Games/Apps/etc). This class consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and two-hour lab.
New Music Forum (3 credits)
Interactive course in preparation and performance of premiere work especially composed for graduate performer or performers by graduate composer at LACM. This class consists of a weekly two-hour lecture and two hour lab.
Film Score Orchestration for Live Orchestra Recording Sessions (3 credits)
This course focuses on advanced orchestration techniques and how they relate to orchestrating for different sized orchestral groups within the context of recording a professional film score. Students will work directly with experienced and professional orchestrators in preparing pieces to be performed and recorded with a professional orchestra. This class consists of a weekly two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.
Film Score Mixing (3 credits)
Film music mixing principles, styles, and techniques through exploration of stereo, surround and immersive mixing. This includes the in-depth study of advanced reverb applications and techniques with regard to contemporary sample libraries in conjunction with live recordings. We will explore and develop listening analysis skills and how to implement them into your mixes while applying “defensive” mixing - Streaming to various formats, etc.. The class consists of a weekly two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.
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